Explorations Academy Review

I watched my daughter, a very bright and creative introvert, enter Explorations Academy as a student who preferred to observe and not offer her perspective or insights. She was a student who held back in giving her all to her assigned work. She avoided attending school whenever possible and preferred to do the bare minimum. I have seen her transform into being an "A" student, pushing her boundaries, giving her best, and challenging herself. She is inspired to do her work, develop greater independence, accountability, confidence and courage.
One of her most jaw-dropping developments was when she discovered her ability to write with profound depth and flow. Her insights moved me deeply. This creative ability was identified and nurtured by her adviser Kiira, who coordinates the fantastic mentoring program in the school.
Explorations Academy has a commitment to acknowledging the students as individuals within the community. The teachers and staff are an incredible community of people dedicated to an education that prepares students to be the best they can be: confident, connected, capable, present, and well educated individuals. In offering this life education to my daughter, I feel like a parent who has given one of the greatest gifts ever. Thank you Explorations Academy!!!

My granddaughter attended this school with very admirable results. Her two years there were the best experience and education she could have had. After struggling to find her footing in her public school, this school grounded her, helped her focus and then helped her begin to work toward her dreams. Today she is thriving and that is in great part because of Explorations.
All this being said, you should know this school is not the same school. While I admit I do not know the current staff or leaders, I do know the excellent staff my granddaughter had the benefit of learning from is mostly gone. The founder is gone. Several of the core teachers are gone. I am not sure how the school is coping. It is certainly worth checking out. Just know that older posts praising this school may not really apply anymore.

My kids just started their second year at Explorations and they couldn't wait to get back to school. They love the trips and hands-on activities, the close friendships they can forge in a small community, and the authentic approach to learning. Last year my son had an amazing trip to Vietnam that really expanded his knowledge range and interests. My middle schooler developed a strong friend group and a newfound interest in math.

The school sets high expectations and the students seem genuinely motivated to meet and exceed those expectations, and they thrive in a social environment where trust and mutual respect are valued and practiced. The curriculum is rigorous but really engaging, the faculty are dedicated to their craft and to each of the students, and the trips and hands on approach to learning make for an enriching educational environment. I feel that my kids are being well prepared for a future (including college) as caring, competent, and well rounded adults.

My daughter has excelled at Explorations. Coming from a homeschool background, Explorations was a great fit for us. The teachers and staff are amazing.

My son graduated from Explorations. The experience was very positive life changing in fact. The international travel, out door experiential education and relevant and interesting curriculum kept our son engaged. The staff proved to be excellent role models. I highly recommend this school.

Our daughter graduated from Explorations Academy (EA) in the Spring of 2019, after attending since the middle of her 8th grade year. Bellingham public schools consistently disappointed us and was not a good fit for our student. Explorations was great for her and provided an environment where she developed her self confidence and learned to thrive as a student and as a person. We believe that EA positioned her well for success in whatever she decides to do next.

During the 4 and a half years our daughter attended EA, the school went through a considerable amount of change and turmoil, including the departure of the founder / head of school. The school has emerged from that period of change and is thriving. The new head of school, Bacchus Taylor, taught at the school for 8 or 9 years before returning as the head of school, and has always been very popular with both students and parents.

As a teacher, artist and father of a 16 year old daughter attending Explorations Academy, I am nothing short of amazed at what this team is accomplishing. My daughter is inspired, engaged, activated, charged with energy and thriving.

I could list many areas in which I have seen growth since she began, but I will mention just one: her ability to express herself. Since starting at Explorations, Samia's ability to articulate her ideas and in particular, her opinions have blossomed substantially. This is no doubt the work of the intellectually potent class environment... Adding to and reinforcing these abilities have been a huge leap in her vocabulary.

What you are doing is academically expansive - no explosive - while staying exceptionally relevant to the life of an adolescent and at the same time to the needs of a rapidly changing world which is in many ways in crisis. All the while, you have incorporated the arts, exercise and movement, wilderness exploration and international excursions - not as isolated items, but integrated seamlessly into the organic nature of how the terms are designed. I SO admire the work the teachers do, and their love, dedication, creativity, enthusiasm for the curriculum, and most of all their methodology and pedagogy! Well done!

My son is in his first year at Explorations Academy. I am excited to see how he has developed confidence as a student. The caring staff has supported and encouraged him in his development. They teach the students to be comfortable with who they are while encouraging them to strive for excellence. My son is learning amongst a peer group that respects each person s individuality both socially and academically. It is a psychologically safe environment where students do not have to be distracted with social posturing and can focus on learning in a cooperative, healthy social environment. Through practical involvement in the local and global community, students develop a sense of hope and capability while learning in and about the world. I am happy to see my son excited about going to school and enthusiastic about learning.

I attended this school for about 1 1/2 years can I can confidently say it was some of the best years of my life and certainly the best years in my school career so far. The community and closeness is unparalleled to any other school. Everyone is supportive of each other and the students and teachers are all friends as well. It's absolutely incredible. However I fear for the future of the school. With much of the core faculty gone as well as the director I'm afraid this wonderful school is going to cease to exist. Keep the dream alive and help support this school! It really is something special.

My son attended Explorations Academy for four years and recently graduated. He is a very bright and unusually creative young person who just didn't fit into the institutional school mold. At Explorations, he was able to find his own path and express himself in his own ways -- while being exposed to very bright and creative teachers and a highly relevant academic curriculum. Further, Explorations provided him the opportunity to travel to India, Peru, and Kenya during his high school years, which gave him a window on global citizenship most young people only dream of. He is now in his second year at university and our family is very grateful for the experience he had at Explorations Academy.