Like many parents, when the pandemic hit in 2020, and our son started learning at home, we discovered a lot we loved about it. Having him with us brought our family closer, and we found an online school that mirrored the Montessori environment we adored. However, as our son grew older, he craved the camaraderie of an in-person setting. We realized the schooling environment we desired for him was hard to find.

We wanted:

• Small class sizes

• Mixed-age learning that allows children to progress at their own pace

• A community that values parents' input

• A school that sees each child as an individual

Why are these things so crucial to us? Our son has a complex medical history, a part of who he is and will be for his entire life. Our experiences with hospitals, doctors, illness, and trauma have deeply shaped our family. We've chosen to turn these experiences into a positive outlook, clarifying what’s right for us.

We understand that our family doesn’t fit the typical mold, but we know we aren’t alone. Many families, like ours, seek something different from the available schooling options.

Frustrated with the existing private options that looked much like a traditional middle school or those that came with college-level tuition and ended abruptly at 8th grade, I started reimagining what education could be. I envisioned a departure from the traditional 'sit and get' teaching method. I dreamed of something different than 25+ students per classroom, the constant class changes, and adapting to seven different teaching styles.

I felt confident creating a vision and structure for a new type of school. I knew I could hire passionate teachers and guides to bring this vision to life. By the fall of 2023, the idea had evolved into a vision, and 2024 Vanguard Learning was born. My son chose the name, which is perfect.

Vanguard: A Group Leading the Way in New Developments or Ideas.

His involvement in naming the school highlights the importance we place on adolescents' participation in their environment. At Vanguard, we do things differently.

We focus on each child’s strengths and prepare our students for real-world readiness. Starting with middle school in the 2024-2025 school year, we'll expand into a high school offering with each new cohort. Our high school pathways include comprehensive college prep, entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, and paid internships.

I fight for my child, and I will fight for yours too. We want to understand each child for who they are, learn about their unique circumstances, and serve them.

Welcome to Vanguard Learning. Things are different here.

Are You Ready to Join the Vanguard of Innovative Education?