Nov. 5, 2025
“For fifth grade, I was at AFPA [Academy of Fine and Performing Arts]. We learned all about art and the different kinds of arts and theatre. I liked how it didn’t really feel like a school, but we still learned. My favorite part was our play. We did James and the Giant Peach and for 6 weeks we were learning choreography and songs and lines.
For sixth grade, I’m at AOE [Academy of Exploration], which feels a bit more like a school, but a lot cooler ‘cause we go on field trips every week and I always love field trips. We do a lot of STEM challenges, and try to use critical thinking, communication and leadership. There’s star points where you want to do good stuff, so you get those. There are really nice people here.
We still learn our normal subjects, but combine them with what the program does. I remember at AFPA one time we were learning about history and the teacher gave a lesson about it, and then we had to get in a group and act it out. Sometimes we have to write about how something connects to something else that we’re learning about. We learn about science a lot when we do STEM projects. Like how things work and a lot of fun stuff that communicates to learning.
I just like hanging out with my friends and having a good time. I’ve had some friends come to these Choice programs with me, but I can make friends easily, so I’m always making new friends. I’d be interested in doing more. I really like Choice programs.”
- Kaylie Quinn, student at Academy of Exploration
