Who We Are
Meet the Carpenters
Matt and Katie Carpenter reside just north of Wadesboro, NC with their three kids- ages 9, 7 and 5. Matt earned a degree in Education and taught in NC for four years. His experience also includes entrepreneurship, business and management. Katie earned a degree in Exercise Science/ Sports Medicine as well as a Masters Degree in School Administration with Principal Licensure. She has served sixteen years in public ed, with thirteen years in Anson County. Matt and Katie currently homeschool, with the help of great family. Matt and Katie are fierce believers in kids and what they’re capable of, and embrace "doing school differently”. (Read more below!)
Our Story
🌟 What if they're more capable than we think? 🚀 As parents, we asked ourselves this question when we made the decision to homeschool.
"Doing school differently" meant creating an environment where our kids could be inspired to learn freely with personalized, individual instruction tailored to their needs while instilling a love for God, family and country. These things have always been paramount to us. Quite a few of you have asked...
so here are a few of the reasons that we chose to "do school differently":
🏡 Freedom from Negativity:
At home, we knew that we could create the perfect learning environment for kids. Our kids know that learning can happen outside of four walls with desks in rows. Our kids know that classrooms can look like treehouses, forts or blanket pallets on the porch. Although they do take standardized tests at the end of the school year, they know that tests can also be the numerous attempts (failures, struggles and everything in between) at building, creating and applying the things that we learn. We don’t intend on sheltering our kids from everything, instead we choose to guide our children to know right from wrong and to prepare them to live in a sometimes dark world by being the light in it.
⏰ Freedom from Time Constraints:
Our kids aren’t prisoners of time. We believe that learning how to learn and how to think critically far outweigh memorizing just to regurgitate on a test. Our kids can finish activities and assignments in an hour or six hours, mastering concepts at their own pace, without the pressure of time constraints… and with the autonomy to dive deep into subjects, ideas or concepts they care deeply about.
📚 Freedom from Cookie-Cutter Instruction through Personalization:
Our children receive personalized, individual instruction, allowing them the time, autonomy, and freedom to learn at their own pace.
💡 Freedom from Dependency by Fostering Independence:
"Doing school differently" empowers our kids to be independent and curious life-long learners. We encourage self-directed learning, setting individualized goals, promoting time management skills, encouraging problem-solving, providing autonomy, teaching practical life skills, supporting self-assessment and reflection, providing opportunities to collaborate with peers through library, park and other meet-ups, and celebrating achievements. Matt and I model independence through our own work and decision making practices. This shows our kids that we trust and support their abilities to take charge and responsibility of their own learning through life.
🌍 Freedom to Travel, Experience, and Visit:
"Doing school differently" grants us the flexibility to travel, visit, and experience different places, turning the world into a classroom. Whether exploring historical landmarks, immersing in different cultures, or embarking on educational field trips, this first hand exposure enriches the learning experience of any child!
💖 Family Connection:
Through "doing school differently", we emphasize the importance of family and intentionally love each other day in and day out. We love our family life together and cherish the blessings and pleasures of raising kids.
🙏 Faith and Values:
As Psalm 139:14 (NIV) states - “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.” This profound Bible verse encompasses how we view all children. Our faith guides us to instill important character values and morals, living by the code of integrity, honor, bravery, compassion, politeness, honesty, and loyalty.
Matt and I have a calling… a calling to equip and shape young citizens into critical thinkers who take the onus of responsibility in all aspects of their education. With that being said, we’re thrilled to extend the opportunity to "do school differently" to other families with the launch of Apogee Anson, a hero-centered micro school, that will launch right here in Anson County in fall of 2024. We’re looking for courageous families that are bold enough to join us as we embark on this journey to nurture capable, independent, and lifelong learners!
Sign up here (bit.ly/ApogeeInterest) to join our mailing list and receive emails with important launch updates, registration links and more.
Who / What is Apogee Anson?
Apogee Anson is a micro school opening as an affiliate of Apogee Strong, founded by Matt Beaudreau and Tim Kennedy.
What started as a mentorship program is now the foundation for 50 new micro schools and learning centers launching across the nation. Out of over 400 applications from across the globe, Apogee Anson was chosen as one of the initial fifty locations! Apogee’s network, quests and curriculum are designed to instill a true, life-long love of learning into the kids that attend! We vow to provide a microcosm of life, designed for young trail blazers to flourish and thrive.
Our Mission
At Apogee Anson, we believe in children. We believe they have the capabilities to conquer anything and everything that comes their way in life. We believe that children possess extraordinary potential beyond our imagination. Our mission is to discover what makes each learner "light up" inside... fostering a sense of lifelong learning that will build the skills to make a positive impact on the world around them. Apogee families will embark on a journey full of curiosity and inspiration together, building relationships and making memories as they strive to grow into the best version of themselves. We aim to rekindle the spirit of freedom in every young Trailblazer, equipping them with the tools to become critical thinkers and take ownership of their educational journey... for life.