About Us
Who We Are
What is FlexSchool?
FlexSchool is a unique learning network designed specifically for gifted and twice exceptional (2e) middle and high school students. At this time two campuses serve the Tristate area, one in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey and another in Bronxville, New York.
FlexSchool embraces students for who and where they are, then supports them as they learn to thrive. Small, ability and discussion based classes taught by subject experts ensure meaningful conversations and the opportunity to ask high-level questions. The faculty, trained and supported by learning specialists and mental health professionals, focuses on critical thinking in all areas of learning.
Our Cloud Campus welcomes online students from around the world into live, discussion-based classes and our community, either full-time or part-time.
FlexSchool embraces students for who and where they are, then supports them as they learn to thrive. Small, ability and discussion based classes taught by subject experts ensure meaningful conversations and the opportunity to ask high-level questions. The faculty, trained and supported by learning specialists and mental health professionals, focuses on critical thinking in all areas of learning.
Our Cloud Campus welcomes online students from around the world into live, discussion-based classes and our community, either full-time or part-time.
FlexSchool has had great success with remote students from Florida, Washington, California, West Virginia, United Arab Emirates, Bermuda, and Switzerland among other places!
History
FlexSchool started to save one twelve-year-old girl. Jane loved to learn what she wanted to learn, and spent hours engrossed in videos and web pages about animals. She could tell you about muscle cells and animal anatomy. She researched Native Americans and made all of the games and weapons used by the Lenni-Lenape out of found objects and craft supplies. She spent hours drawing and painting and could write fiction better than most college students.
Yet, she loathed school.
She rarely spoke in class, dropped out of the gifted and talented program, either didn’t do her homework or would forget to turn it in. She had As on the tests and Cs and Ds in the class. Jane’s academic future looked dismal.
Jane spent six years at FlexSchool, learned to love learning again, graduated in 2020, and attends a well-known liberal arts college studying anthropology, linguistics, map-making, and art.
Yet, she loathed school.
She rarely spoke in class, dropped out of the gifted and talented program, either didn’t do her homework or would forget to turn it in. She had As on the tests and Cs and Ds in the class. Jane’s academic future looked dismal.
- Poor grades and high test scores are not a winning combination for college admission.
- Her public school was not the right place for her, but neither were the local private schools.
- Academically-oriented private schools do not accept students with poor grades.
- Schools that accept students with poor grades are not always academically rigorous.
Jane spent six years at FlexSchool, learned to love learning again, graduated in 2020, and attends a well-known liberal arts college studying anthropology, linguistics, map-making, and art.
FlexSchool in Action
List of 4 items.
-
Academics
- Subject-expert faculty supported by those with expertise in learning challenges, gifted education, executive functioning skills, emotional support, and differentiation
- Discussion-based classes
- Inquiry-based learning
- Student/faculty ratio of 6:1
- Minimized, relevant homework
- Electives in computer science, social sciences, media arts, creative writing, and engineering. Not all subjects are offered every year.
-
Experiential Learning
- FlexFridays: a mix of hands-on learning, invited speakers, and school trips.
- Guided Passion Project: a trimester-long project on a topic of student’s choice
- Camp Week: an annual week-long trip to Hulbert Outdoor Center in Vermont for environmental science, group challenges, ropes courses, and survival skills.
- FlexTime: weekly options for talent development include challenges, STEAM, interest centers, and clubs
-
Environment
- Teachers respect students’ abilities and support challenges
- Questions welcomed (that’s why we have subject experts!)
- Emotional support available on-demand rather than at scheduled intervals
- Welcoming and kind student population
- Academic and social risks supported
- No loud school bells or changing for gym
- Sofas and nooks for conversation or self-regulation
-
College Counseling
- Provided by expert counselor
