Spyrja Academy, a tuition-based microschool, will open Sept. 5 at 880 Elliot Knox Blvd., Ste. 600, New Braunfels.
In January, Amar Kumar, founder of the Massachusetts-based learning group KaiPod, reached out to Simmang and selected him for KaiPod’s Catalyst Program. After a series of interviews, educators are selected for the 18-week program, which aims to help those individuals grow a microschool from the ground up.
Simmang said KaiPod has provided resources and guidance through curriculum and templates.
“If it weren’t for them, I don’t know if this would be possible,” Simmang said.
The academy is unaccredited but will teach ninth to 12th grades year-round. Private schools typically receive accreditation after three years, Simmang said.
Spyrja Academy will have integrated curriculum with afternoons dedicated to enrichment time. On Fridays, Spyrja Academy will have “open school,” which will give parents the opportunity to stop by for coffee or breakfast and learn more about the academy.
“We’re going to offer a full battery of stuff that an accredited high school would offer just in a very different format,” Simmang said.
Spyrja Academy will have several professionals from the community visiting the academy to teach physical fitness and wellness, blacksmithing, math, orbital mechanics, rocketry, entrepreneurship, and mechanics.
The academy is enrolling for the 2023-24 school year. 512-608-2826. www.sanewbraunfels.org
