A unique hybrid educational experience
for students in grades K-12.
As iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another.
Proverbs 27:17
Informational Tours for 2024-2025 Enrollment (all grades)
Wednesdays morning at 9:30 am on:
December 6
Ironwood Academy is a hybrid program for parents who want more control over their child's educational experience. We combine the best of an affordable private school and the flexibility of a homeschool schedule, offering college-preparatory courses in a Christian environment taught by the most qualified and engaging teachers.
We are a Christian, non-denominational, hybrid tutorial program for students in grades K-12. We offer a new approach to parents who want to be actively involved in their children’s educational experience and who also want more time together as a family. Imagine a balance between an affordable private school and the flexibility of a homeschool schedule. At Ironwood, we are the primary teachers; parents do not have to worry about the curriculum, content, or pacing. More like college, students attend core academic classes two days a week and work independently or with assistance to complete their assignments at home. Our Instructors are highly qualified and most have Masters degree or Ph.D.'s. Each faculty member has a wealth of experience and passion for the subjects they teach.
Students in grades K-12 attend classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. On those days, they receive instruction in four required core academic areas: English (Language Arts), History (Social Studies), Math, and Science, as well as instruction and coaching in our unique Emotional Intelligence (EQ) program. Students in grades 5-12 are also able to choose an elective course such as a world language, Studio Art, Personal Finance, First-Aid/CPR, Photography, and Theater Arts.
From 9:00 am to 12:00 noon on Wednesdays, older students may come for a study hall and complete their assignments with their fellow classmates. This is free and optional for enrolled families only in grades 3-12.
Dr. David Tretler returns to Ironwood Academy Spring Semester to lead a special seminar-style Honors course to our 10th-12th graders. Students will learn to think strategically about global and domestic current events and engage in lively instructional debate on critical issues facing our country today. Parents are also encouraged to attend and to participate in the "increase your knowledge base" readings about the topics being presented, as well as join in the discussions along with the students.
former dean of the National War College returns to Ironwood Academy
Dr. David Tretler is the retired Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs at the National War College in Washington, DC, culminating 50 years of Federal Government service capped by 26 years teaching graduate-level courses on all aspects of national security strategy to senior professional military officers and government officials. Dr. Tretler earned both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in military history from Rice University. He taught military history for eight years at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he served as Director of Military History, responsible for curriculum development, course design, and teaching performance. Dr. Tretler retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1998 after thirty years of active service. He flew 250 combat missions in the F-4D Phantom during the Vietnam War, was an instructor pilot in the T-38 jet trainer, served in the plans directorates at both the USAF Air Training Command and USAF headquarters, and was Deputy Chief of Air Force History before joining the faculty at National War College in 1992. During his time at the National War College, Dr. Tretler worked regularly with officials throughout the U.S. national security establishment. He participated in week-long strategic studies seminars with government officials in Singapore, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Poland, and Hungary, and also served as a consultant on strategic planning to the governments of Poland and Croatia. Dr. Tretler was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 17 oak leaf clusters for his service during the Vietnam War. Subsequently, he earned both the Defense Superior Service Award and the CJCS Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award – the highest civilian service award presented by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – for his work at the National War College. Dr. Tretler was married to the late Joy Doty of Sarasota, FL, for 51 years and has two grown children, Brian and Jessica.
Ironwood Academy Offers Unique Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Curriculum
Ironwood collaborated with national Christian child development expert, Dr. Joshua Straub, to curate a first-of-its-kind emotional intelligence (EQ) curriculum that is taught to all students in grades K-12. Ironwood Academy’s objective is to provide an emotionally-safe environment in which students (and parents) will be given specific tools to identify and regulate emotions and, just as importantly, to recognize and respect others’ feelings. The curriculum includes training on neurobiological concepts regarding brain structure, development and function; healthy problem solving and coping skills; cognitive flexibility and language processing; as well as teaching and practicing listening and social skills.
