Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Blow.
Hi Dana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
“What’s a University-Model® School?” I asked my sister-in-law after she shared that she would be teaching at and my nieces and nephews would be attending one. The answer intrigued me: In short, part-time private school and part-time homeschool. I searched for one near me, though my children were only three and sixteen months old at the time. I knew this was the long-term education model for our family. I had experience teaching Early Childhood to Fourth Grade, so my husband and I had decided homeschooling would be a great option for us, but what would I do after that? My love for learning and education told me that I would still want to be involved with their schooling beyond that, but I had no clue what that might look like. So, to hear of a model where real teachers did the heavy work of choosing curriculum and the primary teaching while I would be responsible for reinforcing and guiding my children and still spend two to three days with them at home was amazing! I began visiting University-Model® schools in the DFW area and was greatly impressed by each one. Instead of enrolling our oldest in one, I felt God call me to start one. I began connecting with University-Model Schools International in late 2018 with the anticipation of opening Solid Rock Preparatory Academy in August 2020, but due to Covid-19 and our family expanding our opening was pushed back. So after nearly four years of weekly board meetings, purposeful planning, diligent training, and an abundance of passionate prayer, our amazing team looks forward to welcoming students for the 2023-2024 school year on the campus of New Beginnings Church in Lewisville, Texas to students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade with hopes of adding grades until we are a Preschool through Twelfth Grade Academy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We hoped to open August 2020, but the uncertainty of the Covid-19 Pandemic put our plans on hold. As we watched the education structure of our country abruptly and forcibly shift to online at-home learning, we were unsure of what the future would look like. However, the benefit was that some families actually enjoyed the at-home aspect with teacher support which is what our model is about, so it was to our advantage.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Solid Rock Preparatory Academy is a Kindergarten through Fifth Grade University-Model® School. This unique educational system (of which there are over 80 schools internationally) applies a university approach to the elementary levels. We mold the best aspects of traditional schooling and homeschooling into one model. This parent-based model recognizes the willing parent as an essential ingredient in a successful educational experience and therefore requires parents’ direct involvement in educating children. Because of this high level of parental involvement, students receive an excellent, well-rounded education with less time in school and, therefore less cost. Additionally, parents spend more time with their children making more time for meaningful communication and relationships allowing parents to share their faith, values, and convictions in a more organic way.
As with a university, University-Model® schools provide professional classroom instructors who direct each course and have working knowledge, as well as academic expertise, in their areas of study. They provide written instructions for each class, and students complete their assignments in the satellite classroom at home. These instructions are parent-friendly and
require no previous expertise on the part of the parents to complete assignments at home, therefore making the at-home teaching and learning process more enjoyable and less stressful.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As a child, I enjoyed learning, crafts, and spending time with family and friends. I often played school with my dolls! I developed a love for travel and adventure by going on cross-country road trips with my dad.
Pricing:
- $5500 Annual Tuition
- $50 Application Fee
- $150 Assessment Fee
- $250 Enrollment Fee
Contact Info:
- Website: www.solidrockprep.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solidrockprep/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solidrockprep
