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FAQ

  • Paideia Academy provides a collaborative, hybrid educational program that combines the best of two worlds: the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling with the support of a classroom experience and like-minded campus community. Paideia is not a co-op, which typically involves parents running classes and lacks larger organizational support. We are also not a school, which allows us to establish and operate according to our own values, policies, and curriculum.

  • Summit Paideia Academy is a Christ-centered institution committed to glorifying God through education that is rooted in Reformed Christian theology. Our faith shapes our mission, curriculum, and community as we seek to cultivate wisdom and virtue in the next generation.

    1. The Authority of Scripture

    We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God, the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

    2. The Triune God

    We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in power and glory. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

    3. The Sovereignty of God

    We believe that God is sovereign over all things, ordaining whatsoever comes to pass for His glory and our good. (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:28-30)

    4. The Fall and the Need for Redemption

    We believe that all people are born in sin due to Adam’s rebellion and are totally depraved, unable to save themselves apart from God’s grace. (Romans 3:10-12, 23; Ephesians 2:1-3)

    5. Salvation by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone

    We believe that salvation is a gift of grace, received by faith in Jesus Christ, not by human effort or works. Christ’s atoning death and resurrection provide the only way of reconciliation with God. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1-2; John 14:6)

    6. The Lordship of Jesus Christ

    We believe that Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, reigns as King over all creation and will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. (Colossians 1:15-20; Acts 17:31; Revelation 19:11-16)

    7. The Work of the Holy Spirit

    We believe the Holy Spirit regenerates sinners, sanctifies believers, and empowers them for godly living. (Titus 3:5; Galatians 5:16-25)

    8. The Church

    We believe the Church is the body of Christ, made up of all believers, and that Christ has given elders and pastors to shepherd His people. (Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:25)

    9. Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

    We believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female. Gender is a good and immutable gift from God, assigned at creation. (Genesis 1:26-27)

    We believe that marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman, instituted by God for His glory and the flourishing of society. Sexual relations are reserved exclusively for marriage. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

    10. Christian Living and Cultural Engagement

    We believe that Christians are called to live holy lives, seeking to glorify God in all they do, and to engage the world with truth, grace, and love. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Matthew 5:13-16)

    This Statement of Faith serves as the foundation for our teaching, policies, and school culture. All faculty, staff, and families partnering with Summit Paideia Academy are expected to affirm and uphold these beliefs in both doctrine and practice.

  • Yes, at least one parent must be an active, committed member of a local church to enroll in Summit Paideia Academy. As a Christian hybrid school, we believe that the primary responsibility for a child’s discipleship belongs to the family and is strengthened by active participation in the local church.

    A church provides essential biblical teaching, accountability, and spiritual leadership that align with the values we seek to cultivate at Summit Paideia Academy. Families partnering with us should already be engaged in regular worship, discipleship, and fellowship within a local church body. At least one parent must be submitted to the authority of church leadership and actively involved in the life of the church.

    Additionally, we encourage families to prioritize continual discipleship within the home. Biblical instruction, prayer, and worship should be part of daily family life, reinforcing the truths taught at church and within our academy.

    This requirement ensures that our students are raised in an environment where faith is nurtured both at home and in the broader Christian community, supporting the mission of our academy to develop Christ-centered, faithful learners.

  • SPA is not a registered or accredited school. We are an independent educational program that supports homeschool families. As a result:

    • We are not tied to the values or strategies of any state educational system.

    • We are not the "school or record" for any enrolled student. While we provide progress reports (report cards) during the academic year, we do not hold permanent student records of any kind.

    • We do not request or collect student medical records, including vaccination records. Students may attend regardless of vaccination status.

    We ask that families be familiar with the homeschooling requirements in Washington state with regard to keeping their child’s educational records. There are many helpful resources for this, as well as other helpful information regarding legally establishing your homeschool, available through HSLDA at www.hslda.org/legal.

  • No. SPA is a comprehensive homeschool program. The use of our selected curriculum, lesson plans, and combination of home + campus days provides a complete academic year appropriate for each grade level. Our flexible model allows families to take part in various extracurriculars and activities as they see fit, though none are required to supplement our program.

  • We ask parents to support by volunteering for at least one on or off campus volunteer positions.

  • Paideia works because we establish a partnership between parents and staff. We enter into each academic year trusting in the relationship between the parent as primary instructor and our campus team of teachers who offer support in the classroom.

    As their child’s primary instructor, parents are expected to teach during the 3 home days each week, introducing new learning concepts when needed, supporting their students in preparation for campus days, and using the provided lesson plans as a road map for their family’s success. Paideia provides all the support needed for parents – of any experience level – to succeed in this role.

    Our 2 campus days each week look similar to traditional school days, with structured classrooms taught by professional teachers. Our campus is led by a Campus Director and supported by additional Campus Aides.

    Before the academic year begins, we hold a Parent Orientation. Here our Director & teachers cover the specifics unique to each grade and classroom. During the first months we offer continual training on use of the curriculum and lesson plans. These training opportunities setup parents for success, offer helpful tips and tricks to transition well into the Academy, and allow families to connect in support of each other.

  • Most families complete the at-home lessons during the daytime, eliminating late nights and opening up time for families to spend time together. The amount of time spent on lessons during home days depends on many factors, including family size, your student's age and maturity, learning style and family dynamics. As a general guideline, parents should expect the following to fully complete lesson plans during home days:

    • JK: ~1 hour per day

    • ​Kindergarten: 1 to 2 hours per day

    • 1st Grade: 1.5 to 2.5 hours per day

    • 2nd Grade: 2 to 3.5 hours per day

    • 3rd Grade: 2.5 to 4 hours per day

    • 4th-5th Grade: 3 to 4.5 hours per day

    • 6th-8th Grade: 4 to 6 hours per day

  • Yes. After registering your student at Paideia, you will be provided with the curriculum lists needed to complete the academic year for each enrolled student. These are made available in the late Spring (April-May) for the coming academic year. Our comprehensive curriculum list is vetted and curated by our Education Team, with an emphasis on integrating a biblical worldview throughout.


    While families purchase the curriculum list in full for each student enrolled, we also encourage resale within our community whenever possible. For this reason, we carefully weigh any changes to the curriculum in order to honor this process best for our families.


    Total curriculum cost is generally $300-$600 per student, depending on the grade level and/or condition of the materials purchased.

  • At Summit Paideia Academy, our dress code reflects our commitment to excellence, modesty, and unity as a Christ-centered learning community.

    Student Dress Code (Uniforms Required)

    All students will wear uniforms purchased from a third-party vendor. Uniform options include:

    Tops: Polos, sweaters, and vests (school colors: navy, white, grey)

    Bottoms: Pants, skirts, and dresses (school colors: navy, khaki, grey)

    Outerwear: Approved uniform sweaters or vests (non-uniform jackets may be worn outdoors only)

    Shoes: Closed-toe shoes required; no sandals, flip-flops, or Crocs

    Hair: Clean, brushed, and kept out of the face

    Accessories: Minimal and appropriate; no distracting jewelry or makeup

    Additional Guidelines:

    • Skirts, dresses, and shorts must be at or below fingertip length.

    • Clothing should be neat, properly fitted, and in good condition (no rips, holes, or excessive wear).

    Parent & Teacher Dress Code (Modest & Appropriate Attire Required)

    While on campus, parents and teachers are expected to model modesty and professionalism.

    • No cropped tops, sleeveless shirts, or exposed cleavage.

    • Dresses, skirts, and shorts must be at or below fingertip length.

    • Clothing should be clean, neat, and appropriate for a school environment.

    • Hair should be clean, brushed, and kept out of the face.

    We appreciate your partnership in creating a respectful and Christ-honoring learning environment.

  • Since we partner with the local church for space sharing, we economize on space and store lightly - which means all student materials must be transported to and from home for use on campus. Parents use the monthly lesson plan as a guide to pull out consumable pages from workbooks (if possible) and print supplemental materials from the parent portal as needed for the month. From there, using a binder with tabs to separate subjects allows the student to stay organized and keep most of their work in one place. This helps limit the number of heavy books students carry to and from campus, as well as allows our families to enjoy life on-the-go, making learning from a bed, beach, or plane very feasible!

  • Students entering Jr. Kindergarten must be age 4 by September 1st. Students entering Kindergarten must be age 5 by September 1st.

  • It is our goal to offer financial assistance, however at this time it is not an option. We do offer several payment plan options and multi-student discounts. It is our intention to build a fundraising team to help offset tuition costs for families who qualify or are facing an unexpected time of financial hardship.

  • No. We do not request or collect student medical records, including vaccination records. Students may attend regardless of vaccination status.

    Depending on the current homeschool regulations, the local education authority may require vaccination records to be filed with a particular entity. You will need to become familiar with local homeschool regulations in regard to vaccination records.