Perfectly Imperfect

It’s a Monday morning and, as usual, Nora awakens to the chime of her phone alarm. It’s time to get ready for school, but Nora’s parents have a hard time remembering a drama-free morning when she didn’t dawdle, complain of a stomach ache, become really emotional, etc. In fact, Nora hasn’t ridden the bus in two months and has been marked tardy a whopping 21 times. Pair these incidents with six full-day absences this semester, and Nora’s parents feel more than frustrated. They’re legitimately concerned about Nora’s mental health and overall well-being. And they should be. Nora is among the 2-5 percent of students nationwide who struggle with school refusal—and it’s not to be taken lightly.  What is school refusal? What does it look like? And how can families address the issue of school refusal and overcome its characteristic behaviors and consequences? This is what we know…

Flexible Schooling Options for Competitive Athletes and Performers

Private School Specializing in One-to-One Instruction for 1st-12th Grade Students National — As Thanksgiving approaches, Brightmont Academy, a private accredited school offering one-to-one instruction, is taking a moment to reflect on a year filled with growth, gratitude, and student success. With multiple new campus openings in 2025 and plans to open several more soon, Brightmont continues to expand its mission of transforming education through individualized instruction that empowers each student to reach their full potential. Keith Jackson, Marketing Director at Brightmont Academy, shared his appreciation for the families who have made this mission possible. “This Thanksgiving, we’re especially grateful for the families who trust Brightmont Academy to provide a one-to-one education that helps their children thrive,” Jackson said. “Every student’s success story is a reminder of why we do what we do.” Brightmont’s unique model of personalized learning has helped countless students rediscover confidence and joy in the classroom. This season of gratitude serves as a reminder of the small victories that make a big difference in each student’s educational journey. “At Brightmont Academy, gratitude comes from seeing students who once struggled now finding confidence and joy in learning,” Jackson explained. “Thanksgiving reminds us how important it is to celebrate progress, big and small.” The spirit of Thanksgiving also reflects Brightmont’s core values of connection and collaboration. Just as families gather around the table to share gratitude, Brightmont brings together teachers, students, and parents as partners in each child’s education. “Just as Thanksgiving brings families together, Brightmont Academy brings teachers, students, and parents together as a team to create an individualized education plan that truly fits each child,” Jackson said. As families give thanks and look ahead to the new year, Brightmont Academy invites prospective parents to visit a campus and experience firsthand how personalized education can transform a child’s life. With four new locations opening this year, Brightmont continues to offer more families the opportunity to discover a learning environment where students flourish both academically and emotionally. Families interested in learning more are encouraged to schedule a campus tour and see how Brightmont’s one-to-one instruction is changing lives across the country. Brightmont Academy is located in nine states and is currently accepting enrollments. Brightmont Academy is an accredited private school that provides one-to-one instruction. One experienced teacher works with one student throughout every learning session. Customized full-time programs and individual courses are offered for grades 1-12. Students can also receive individualized tutoring for all 1-12 subjects, study skills, and test prep. Brightmont Academy has served thousands of students since 1999 and has 21 campuses in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Washington. For more information call 1-888-521-0887 or visit: www.brightmontacademy.com . Watch our video: Brightmont Academy - The One-to-One Flexible school - 1st through 12th

Is there support for your student if they are struggling? What are the class sizes? Do the teachers personalize learning and know their students? Does the school schedule work for your family? Is the school accredited? Does the school offer academic rigor for your child? Does the school have a good reputation and location? Are students college and career ready after graduation? 

Private School in Mendota Heights Specializing in One-to-One Instruction for 1st-12th Grade Students Mendota Heights, MN — Brightmont Academy, a private accredited school offering one-to-one instruction, is helping families stay informed and connected through its Speaker Series, a free monthly webinar designed to support parents and students. Hosted by Minnesota Campus Directors Michelle Platt of Mendota Heights and Jenny Sorenson of Plymouth, the virtual sessions feature expert speakers discussing topics that matter most to families—ranging from ADHD and adolescent anxiety to sleep issues and school transitions. The Speaker Series began as a way to make professional insight more accessible to Brightmont families. “A big part of my job is networking, and I’m constantly meeting trusted professionals through events, referrals, and outreach,” explained Platt. “The Speaker Series gives families direct access to these experts and helps parents feel connected while learning more about Brightmont Academy and the many resources available to them.” Each hour-long session allows parents to engage in real time with speakers and ask questions through a live chat. Topics have included ADHD, adolescent anxiety, evaluations, sleep, and school avoidance—issues that often impact students’ academic and emotional well-being. “Each speaker shares actionable tips for parents while also giving families a chance to learn more about Brightmont’s unique strengths, such as open enrollment, flexible scheduling, part-time and full-time options, skill building, and executive function programs,” said Platt. The response to the Speaker Series has been overwhelmingly positive. Families can RSVP for upcoming sessions on Brightmont’s website, and recordings are available afterward on Brightmont’s YouTube channel and social media platforms. “For me, the series has strengthened relationships with families and professionals, given me new insights as a director and parent, and expanded the network of resources I can confidently recommend,” Platt said. “Most importantly, it ensures Brightmont families feel supported not just by our school, but by a wider community of experts.” See our webinar recordings and RSVP to upcoming webinars. Brightmont Academy is located at 720 Main Street, Suite 101, in Mendota Heights and is currently accepting enrollments. Families and professionals are invited to attend an Open House event on Thursday, November 20th, 2025, between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Brightmont Academy is an accredited private school that provides one-to-one instruction. One experienced teacher works with one student throughout every learning session. Customized full-time programs and individual courses are offered for grades 1-12. Students can also receive individualized tutoring for all 1-12 subjects, study skills, and test prep. Brightmont Academy has served thousands of students since 1999 and has 21 campuses in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Washington. For more information call 1-888-521-0887 or visit: www.brightmontacademy.com . Watch our video: Brightmont Academy - The One-to-One Flexible school - 1st through 12th

The Boy, The Horse, and The Lesson We Forget in Teaching

Private School in Raleigh Specializing in One-to-One Instruction for 1st-12th Grade Students Raleigh, NC — Brightmont Academy, a private accredited school offering one-to-one instruction, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alesia Stevenson as the new Campus Director of its Raleigh campus. Stevenson brings a rich background in education, business, leadership, and community engagement, along with a passion for helping students discover their strengths and succeed through personalized learning. Stevenson has spent her career fostering environments where both students and teams can thrive. She has worked extensively in education and organizational leadership, focusing on expanding access to resources and tailoring support to meet individual needs. As both an educator and a parent, Stevenson has experienced first-hand the life-changing impact of individualized instruction. “My background spans education and program development, often in environments where meeting students and families ‘where they are’ is essential,” said Stevenson. “That experience translates directly into Brightmont’s model, which focuses on tailoring instruction to each student’s unique strengths, challenges, and goals.” Stevenson first learned about Brightmont while researching alternative education models centered on the student learning experience. Brightmont’s one-to-one instruction stood out as both innovative and aligned with her vision of student success. “I was drawn to Brightmont because the role allows me to bring together my experience in education, leadership, and community engagement to create meaningful impact,” Stevenson said. “The opportunity to lead a campus where every student receives personalized support felt like a natural extension of my passion for helping young people succeed.” At Brightmont, Stevenson is eager to establish the Raleigh campus as a trusted resource for families seeking alternatives to the traditional classroom. She envisions a school community where students build confidence and resilience alongside academic progress. “My vision is to see our Raleigh campus grow into a trusted educational home for students and families seeking a more personalized path,” Stevenson said. “I believe Brightmont’s individualized approach will resonate in Raleigh, a dynamic city where families value strong, innovative educational options.” Brightmont Academy is located at 6070 Six Forks Rd in Raleigh and is currently accepting enrollments. Brightmont Academy is an accredited private school that provides one-to-one instruction. One experienced teacher works with one student throughout every learning session. Customized full-time programs and individual courses are offered for grades 1-12. Students can also receive individualized tutoring for all 1-12 subjects, study skills, and test prep. Brightmont Academy has served thousands of students since 1999 and has 21 campuses in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Washington. For more information call 1-888-521-0887 or visit: www.brightmontacademy.com . Watch our video: Brightmont Academy - The One-to-One Flexible school - 1st through 12th

Vanessa seems to dawdle when her teacher asks her to begin her math assignment. Marcus has read the directions four times and still has no idea what to do. Shamanth opens his desk to try to find a pencil, which is buried under mounds of crumpled papers. Belinda raises her hand and, in sobs and tears, demands to go to the school counselor’s office. What’s up with these students? Are they being lazy, giving their teacher a hard time, and/or just having a bad day? Perhaps, but there’s also another strong possibility. All of these behaviors may indicate challenges in executive functioning. About Executive Function Executive functioning has very little to do with academic prowess and much more to do with the general operation of the brain. Healthcare and child development professionals typically identify eight important skills related to executive functioning: Initiation - The ability to begin a task Impulse control - The ability not to give in to temptation and behave accordingly Flexibility - The ability to shift from one task to the next Emotional control - The ability to behave appropriately despite contrary emotions Working memory - The ability to remember and apply instructions and other concepts Organization - The ability to create and abide by a system of tidiness Planning - The ability to understand the sequence of necessary steps to accomplish goals and tasks Self-monitoring - The ability to assess one’s own emotions, thoughts, physical condition, etc. Why are these specific capabilities so important? It’s all about what happens as a result. Executive functioning skills lead to effective decision-making, for example, thus poor executive functions could lead to choices that are unwise, emotionally driven, rash, etc., in relationships, physical health, and other areas of life.