Homeschooling
The HIVE Microschool
(Grades K-5)
The HIVE Microschool follows that of its namesake, it offers a place that is collaborative, cooperative and works towards a common goal. The HIVE is taught by licensed and experienced elementary education teachers who have a passion for helping students reach their full potential. It is a collaborative environment between teacher, parent and student to create the best learning journey possible for each individual student. The Hive Microschool is a drop off hybrid homeschool that has a traditional school fee with the flexibility to meet students. Subjects taught through the Hive are Reading, Writing, Word Study, Math, STEM, and recess all other subjects are up to the family to teach at home.
September-May
Tuesday-Thursday
9:00am-1:00 pm
Drop Off- Homeschool Hybrid Program–
Math
Reading
Writing
Word Study
STEAM
Community Building through lunch and Recess
Download Hive Handbook (PDF)
Download Hive Calendar (PDF)
Download Hive Progress Reports (PDF)
Download Hive Supply List (2026-2027) (PDF)
How do I enroll in the HIVE Microschool?
Enrolling in the HIVE Micro School is a straightforward three-step process:
- Campus Tour and Director Meeting: We invite you to schedule a tour of our facility and meet with the HIVE director. This provides a comprehensive overview of our space and the HIVE Micro School program.
- Formal Interest and Interview: Families submit a HIVE Inquiry Form to express formal interest. Following this, an interview will be scheduled with our executive director.
- Formal Enrollment: If both the family and A2D Academy agree that the program is the best fit for the student, families will receive a parent portal link to formally enroll. A $200 registration fee is required at this stage.
We offer rolling enrollment throughout the year until the Micro School reaches its capacity.
What sets the Micro school apart from other co-op and micro school options?
Designed by a licensed educator, A2D Academy’s HIVE Programs aim to engage children in a suitable, efficient, and inspiring way, fostering autonomy, choice, and individualized progression. When our founder’s children reached school age, she sought an alternative to the conventional, one-size-fits-all educational environment. Her vision was to create a space where children could expand their imaginations, prioritize play, and advance at their own speed—whether ahead, behind, or on schedule. Rooted in these values, the HIVE Programs emphasize STEAM and integrated subject areas. While incorporating the structured learning periods of a traditional school, the program offers the flexibility to accommodate each student’s unique needs through a curriculum tailored to their specific interests.
We make sure to incorporate the things that all kids remember about school such as class parties, yearly play productions, field trips, picture day, etc.
We strongly believe in giving back to the community and do a full 8 week term on giving back to the community.
How does a multi-age classroom work?
A multi-age classroom is a learning environment where students of different ages and grade levels learn together in the same space. Instead of being grouped strictly by age, children are grouped based on their developmental needs, interests, and abilities. This structure allows students to progress at their own pace—either advancing ahead or receiving extra support—while fostering a sense of community.
- Benefits of this learning style include:
- Peer Mentorship and Collaboration: Students learn from each other regardless of grade level, fostering a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.
- Built-in Role Models: Older students gain leadership and responsibility skills by mentoring younger peers, while younger students learn by observing the older students.
- Individualized Progression: Learning is tailored to each student’s unique needs, allowing them to advance based on mastery and readiness rather than a rigid calendar.
- Strong Community Connection: This model builds a tight-knit classroom culture where students develop empathy and strong social-emotional skills through ongoing, multi-year relationships with their teachers and peers.
What happens if we need to cancel?
Wednesday July 15, 2026 is the last day to cancel your The HIVE Microschool Contract for the 2026-2027 school year with no penalties besides the loss of the $200 registration fee. If you cancel after July 15, 2026 or after the start of participation in the program, a $1,200 individual or $2,000 family cancellation fee will be charged to your account, unless students are moving, there is a mutually agreed upon personal scenario that prevents the students from continuing on (agreed upon by the family and A2D Academy), or they have health reasons that prohibit them from continuing on in the The HIVE Microschool programming at A2D Academy.
As a parent, what is my role in my child’s learning journey?
Parents serve as the primary driving force behind their child’s educational journey, and A2D Academy is here to fully support your goals and needs. We aim to lift the burden of daily instruction off your shoulders while fostering a close-knit community for our students and their families. Parents are invited to actively participate by volunteering in the classroom, joining field trips, or acting as special guests to teach about meaningful family topics. Our curriculum focuses on core subjects: reading, writing, word study, and math. Families are responsible for covering other areas, including art, physical education, history, music, and science (though A2D touches on basic scientific concepts).
What happens after 6th grade?
A2D Academy currently serves students from Kindergarten through 3rd grade, with plans to add one grade level each year as our student body grows. Our ultimate goal is to co-create a middle school program with our families within the microschool to directly address the desires and requirements of their children. Alternatively, families can choose to transition their children into public schools, explore alternative educational tracks, or dive fully into home-based or online homeschooling options.
How does testing and reporting work when students are doing the majority of their learning at A2D Academy?
Families receive weekly newsletters from A2D Academy detailing the daily activities of students, which serves as official documentation of their learning progress.
In early May, A2D Academy offers online MAP Testing to satisfy the annual testing requirement, which is required for students aged 7 and older. Families can uniquely opt for a year-round plan involving three test sessions to monitor academic development across the seasons. Participation through A2D is entirely optional, allowing parents to alternative home testing if preferred; however, the testing arranged at A2D Academy is fully covered by tuition.
How can a parent know about their students' progress?
Progress reports, which are sent home every trimester, provide a checklist of skills by grade level based on Minnesota State Standards. Mastery is noted, while skills currently being targeted are highlighted in yellow. To showcase student learning in our Microschool, we also hold student-driven exhibition potluck lunches, offering an excellent opportunity to discuss progress, questions, or concerns with your child’s teacher. Quick check-ins during drop-off are strongly encouraged as well. Additionally, you are always welcome to connect via email, text, or phone call, or to schedule a formal conversation with a teacher or the director.
What curriculum is used to teach?
We prioritize the enrollment of our current A2D Academy families. Enrollment for current students and their younger siblings is offered before we open the process to the general public.
The HIVE CO-OP
(Grades K-5)
The HIVE Co-op mission is to build community and camaraderie among homeschooling families by offering structured school settings that enrich and support learning through hands-on, play-based, and imaginative experiences.
Cooperative Structure:
- Focus: Traditional School setting with structured learning time based around STEAM activities.
- Ages: Two Multi-age Classrooms: Preschool (Ages 3-6) and Elementary (Ages 6-10).
- Size: Each classroom must have a minimum of 12 students. Preschool maximum is 20 students and Elementary maximum is 30 students.
- Schedule: Meets weekly on Fridays from 10:00am-12:00pm, September through May. (No meetings on October 16, November 27, December 25, January 1, or April 2 due to A2D Academy closures).
Cooperative Roles and Responsibilities:
- Teachers: A2D provides licensed teachers to lead the classrooms, design the curriculum, and manage overall classroom expectations.
- Parent Involvement:
- Classroom Volunteer: To maintain low costs and foster a cooperative spirit, we request 1-2 parent volunteers per week. Responsibilities include providing an extra set of hands and supporting student learning. Frequency ranges from once per year to once per month depending on enrollment and preference.
- On-Site Requirement: As a nonprofit, A2D Academy requires a parent/guardian on-site at all times for students ages 3-5. Parents can collaborate, lesson plan, work using our available Wi-Fi, or entertain younger siblings. For students ages 6-10, drop-off is permitted, though community building is highly encouraged.
- Fees and Tuition:
- Registration Fees: Preschool requires a one-time non-refundable fee of $150 to hold a spot and cover supplies. Elementary requires a non-refundable fee of $50 per term.
- Monthly Tuition: $100 per month per student, paid on the 1st of each month.
- Discounts and Cancellations: A 20% sibling discount is applied to the 2nd child and any thereafter. Cancellations are permitted at any time with a $50 fee per student; registration fees are non-refundable.
Preschool Co-Op:
Mission: To provide a structured setting mimicking a kindergarten classroom through group instruction and learning stations, where students create, explore and imagine around monthly STEAM themes. .
Themes include:
September | Weather
October | Music and Movements
November | Storybook STEM
December | Baking
January | Rocks
February | Dr. Seuss
March | What Floats
April | Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
May | Ponds
Grade School Co-Op:
(Ages 6-12)
Mission: To expand learning opportunities through project-based studies in STEM and creative arts. The Grade School Co-op will be divided into terms. Each term will have a specific focus You can sign up for one or all of the terms depending on your students interests.
Term schedule:
September-November | Science Focus: Starbase Minnesota: Mission to Mars
December-February | Art Focus: Ceramic Handbuilding, Watercolor painting, Draw your own comic
March-May | Technology Focus: Battle Bots and Sphero Robot challenges
