Liberating Minds, Inspiring Wisdom: A Christian Arts-Based School for Students with Learning Differences
Sophia Academy students often arrive at Sophia convinced that they have no ability to succeed: I can’t draw, I can’t do school, I can’t speak, I can’t write. Through our Awakening Genius model, they find out they can: do school, draw, speak, write, and so much more. So glad to be offering hope to students who had lost hope in years past.
After immersing ourselves in a foreign culture for a day, students returned to the classroom to continue their study of culture by creating kingdoms.
Kingdoms varied widely in historical events, concern for the poor, and rule, but one thing was the same: learning outside the box.
Students, parents, and interested teachers are invited to attend Sophia Academy’s Open House on October 9, 2019. The morning begins with registration at 8:45. You will learn more about Sophia Academy to see if it is a good fit. You will be able to sit in on classes and watch our program in action. There will be opportunity for Q & A as well as assistance with applications and financial aid.
Sophia Academy moves! We began the school year at Esperanza College on North 5th Street in a quiet, airy, full of light building. We are grateful to Esperanza College for their generosity to us.
Moving is a critical piece of the Sophia education and our Awakening Genius model as well–moving with our bodies that is. Three times a week, Sophia students begin with The Kinetic Classroom, engaging in movement exercises that they must “read” off a large screen. Research shows that this type of body/brain connection leads to significant increases in cognitive development. Ms. Purring, our Drama and English teacher, comes to us with a background in physical theater and theatrical movement and ably leads the entire school in growing our brains.
In our academic classes, we are mindful that movement often equals knowledge imprinted on the memory. Moving hands, moving feet, moving bodies are some of the ways we learn English and History, Math and Latin. Other times we look like every other high school, but moving first helps us when we need to sit. . Come visit Sophia Academy and see how multi-sensory education can awaken the genius in every student.
Sophia Academy is happy to announce the graduation of four seniors on June 6, 2019 with commencement exercises held at New Life Church, Philadelphia. Valedictorian Sam Doggett gave us a brief overview of his Sophia Academy experience, while commencement speaker Rev. Larry Smith spoke to the graduates about who they wanted to be in the future. Congratulations Sam, Reese, Destiny, and Jared!
Congratulations to our four seniors who will graduate in nine short weeks, finishing twelve years of schooling. Senioritis notwithstanding, Sophia Academy is proud of the seniors and their work. Let us introduce them to you:
Completing high school in three years, inquisitive REESE is a Sophia Academy success story. After experiencing our multi-sensory education, Reese shone in math and in science class where he loved working with the microscope in inquiry–based learning. Reese plans to work immediately after high school. Possible careers: graphic artist, lab tech, music teacher.
Sophia Academy’s first Valedictorian, witty SAM enjoys our small classes and personal attention. He has made a name for himself as both a steadfast worker and a creative thinker and has become an inveterate reader. He thinks about pursuing criminal psychology after high school. Possible careers: detective, politician, criminal psychologist, coach or teacher.
Contemplative JARED joined us for his senior year to finish up the last of his requirements. His attentive mind and willingness to answer posed questions keeps discussion moving, a much appreciated gift. Jared plans to attend Community College. Possible careers: Accounts Receivable, IRS Data Entry, Landscaping, Gamer
Teachable DESTINY, who works hard in class, is an articulate speaker and great at connecting theory to real life. She added the feminine side to Sophia for two years. Possible careers: Health care professional, cosmetology, public relations, or sales.
Sophia Academy believes in spending as much time as possible in multi-sensory, hands-on learning. 
Does that mean we don’t deal with the content that will prepare our students for the future whether that’s college or career? Not at all.
Whether working on equations in Physics, memorizing Latin vocabulary, 
reading Julius Caesar, or drawing angles, Sophia students are finding success with a standard high school curriculum.
Our difference? We infuse the visual and performing arts into that curriculum as part of our Awakening Genius model. 
Sophia Academy is pleased to offer attractive apparel with our logo for sale. A percentage of each sale comes back to us for our educational needs. Visit
www.sophiaphilashop.com today and find a perfect Christmas gift for everyone in your family.
Each year, students studying Ancient World Cultures participate in a hands-on DIG. After studying culture in general, and ancient cultures in particular, they create their own culture, produce artifacts that will reveal an aspect of their culture, bury it–and then the fun begins.
When students exchange archeological plots, they are required to dig carefully, clean the artifact, and study it for clues. How was this society ruled? What does the artifact reveal about the cultures’s religion? Economy? Family structure? Is there a “rosetta stone” to use to decipher the language?
Why do we turn ourselves into archeologists? Doesn’t it slow down the acquisition of knowledge? It is our goal to cement a broad general store of 
knowledge into each of our students’ minds. The best way to accomplish this is to have them learn by doing. And so we dig in the dirt.