September News

Tiffany Samson • September 15, 2020

Brightmont Academy is in full swing for the '20-21 academic year! We have 16 campuses across the U.S. in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington.



  • See the '20-21 Academic Year Calendar.
  • We enroll students year-round.
  • All our campuses are open for in-person instruction.
  • Students who are sick or are not able to attend in person can do remote learning via Google Meet.
  • We have campus safety guidelines in response to COVID-19. Our staff and students are well versed in the safety protocols and have been very cooperative.
  • All parents and students have online access to the student's schedule and curriculum.
  • We are now offering tutoring for 1st and 2nd grade students. Students in grades 1-12 can get tutoring on their school curriculum including at-home packets.

We ensure students' health and safety by:

  • sanitizing surfaces, chairs, and writing utensils in classrooms between class sessions
  • cleaning and disinfecting work stations and common areas regularly
  • any necessary additional learning materials are provided for students to keep, so that they do not need to be shared
  • using visual cues to help ensure physical distancing


Brightmont students are practicing our new safety guidelines:

  • bringing a face covering to campus and wearing on campus at all times except during lunch
  • keeping a proper distance in classrooms, hallways, and common areas
  • bringing lunch, snacks and drinks as needed as the kitchen areas are closed
  • eating before entering the classroom
  • timely pickup after their sessions are finished for the day
Two women wearing masks are standing next to each other in front of a computer.

Student Highlight

Congratulations to Sierra, one of our recent graduates! Her ceremony was heart felt and touching. We wish Sierra the best in her future endeavors!

A woman in a graduation cap and gown is holding a certificate.

Flexible Learning Options: In-Person and Online

Students have the options of getting instruction in person and through remote learning. In either case, it is important that all students have a plan for using Google Meet to attend their scheduled sessions from home, if needed.



Remote learning includes establishing a quiet place in your home where your student will not be interrupted and where any possible distractions have been removed. Students should sit at a table with ample lighting, versus on a couch or a bed, and pets should be kept away. Younger students benefit, in particular, from adult support or check-ins during sessions whenever possible.

A woman is sitting at a desk using a computer.

Campus Improvements

The Birmingham campus completed two remodeling projects over the summer months. Our Homework Studio area has been remodeled so that computer stations can be socially distanced. In addition, we have added six new classrooms for our teachers as we continue to grow!



The Redmond campus is also expanding and will be completed this month. We will have 14 new classrooms!

Club Updates

This school year students at our Sammamish campus are participating in the new Marathon Kids hybrid program. Teacher John Kernan will be registering the club on October 1, which coincides with the 3-year anniversary of our running club!



Film club is now enrolling for September at the Broomfield campus.

ACT® and SAT® Test and Registration Dates

Brightmont Academy offers Test Prep services. Click here to learn more about preparing for your test.



Parents need to register their student for the ACT and SAT tests on the ACT and SAT websites.

ACT Test Dates

Check the ACT website for registration informationFAQs, and important updates.

SAT Test Dates

Public health restrictions and high demand will result in limited seating capacity for students in certain areas. Check the SAT® website for more information.

More Blog Posts + News


September 16, 2025
Private School in Sammamish Specializing in One-to-One Instruction for 1st-12th Grade Students Sammamish, WA — Approximately 36% of student-athletes experience failing grades in at least one class. For Brielle, a high school student who travels the country to compete in horse riding events, maintaining strong grades used to feel out of reach. But Brightmont Academy’s one-to-one instructional model and flexible scheduling changed that, allowing her to balance academics with national-level competition. Brielle said she struggled to keep up in a traditional school, where missed days due to competitions quickly turned into falling behind in class. But since joining Brightmont, that pressure has lifted. “Public school didn’t recognize that I was missing school for my sport, and I would be left behind, and my grades suffered,” said Brielle. “At Brightmont, I can still compete on a national level and travel for my sport, and also get good grades and not miss any lessons. The teachers are nice, and we just pick up where we left off when I get home. We move at my pace in each lesson, and I get good grades now and like school. I feel like the teachers care about me.” Brielle’s mom shared that the family discovered Brightmont somewhat unexpectedly while searching for better school options online. What they found was a school that not only supported Brielle academically but also embraced her unique lifestyle as an elite athlete. “The wonderful thing about Brightmont is that it accommodates Brielle’s unique and individual academic needs and also her schedule needs being an athlete that travels and competes at a national level,” she said. “We are so happy to have finally found the school that meets all our needs in one place—and it’s close by. It is very individually focused and accommodating with great teachers. We couldn’t be happier.” On campus, Brielle has also impressed staff with her maturity and initiative. Campus Director Derek has seen firsthand how Brielle has grown since arriving last fall. “Brielle is also extremely self-aware about her learning, interests outside of school, goals, etc. I do not know to what extent this might be related to her experiences with horses, but having heard her talk about the bonds she has with them, I think it's safe to say that these experiences have at least played a part.” Brightmont Academy is located at 4588 Klahanie Dr. SE, Suite 401 in Sammamish and is currently accepting enrollments. Families and professionals are invited to attend an Open House event on Thursday, September 18th, 2025, between 9:00 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
September 9, 2025
Private School Specializing in One-to-One Instruction for 1st-12th Grade Students National — Recent studies show that 85% of educators report having students who struggle with executive functioning — the skills that help students manage their time, stay organized, and complete tasks. In response to this growing need, Brightmont Academy, a private accredited school offering one-to-one instruction, offers a specialized program called ECHO, which stands for Executive Function Coaching and Homework Organization. The program was developed to meet families where they are — often overwhelmed, frustrated, and seeking genuine solutions to their daily academic struggles. Karen Buckner, CEO of Brightmont Academy, explained that ECHO was created based on conversations with families. “The ECHO program came out of what parents were asking for,” said Buckner. “Parents have homework battles at home, and they’re looking for those to disappear. And it’s something beyond just tutoring.” For many students, particularly those entering high school for the first time, the transition to more complex schedules, shifting classroom routines, and digital assignment tracking systems can quickly become overwhelming. Brightmont’s ECHO program pairs students with experienced coaches who help them navigate their school’s learning platforms and build personalized systems that work. Buckner emphasized how hands-on the support can be. “I’ve done things where I take out the backpack and find 20 loose pieces of paper, and I’ve done everything to establish the six folders that represent each class. While we’re talking through some of that, I’m sorting all the papers into folders, so they are a little more organized.” Part of the ECHO process includes logging into systems like PowerSchool, Canvas, or Google Classroom alongside the student to identify outstanding assignments, organize a to-do list, and develop sustainable habits. Buckner noted this level of support is often what families can’t provide on their own, especially when each teacher uses a different system. “If you’re a child with executive function challenges and you have to go to three different places to figure out what to do when, it’s just not going to get done,” she said. “And we can help be someone who helps solve that problem and take it off the parents’ hands.” 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 20 campuses in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, 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
By Barbara Farland September 3, 2025
It’s 8:15 a.m. on a Monday morning, and Teresa makes her way into her classroom at Brightmont Academy in Phoenix . The school is one of 20 campuses located throughout the country.  Unlike teachers in other school systems, Teresa will only have to manage one student during each hour of her day. Boring? Repetitive? Hardly! A day in the life of Teresa proves her time at Brightmont is just as dynamic and interesting—if not more so—for teachers and students alike… 8:30 a.m. - English 12 with Natalie Teresa’s first class of the morning is English 12 with a high schooler named Natalie. Natalie is a full-time student at Brightmont who has been attending since seventh grade. Large groups and noise trigger Natalie’s anxiety, so Brightmont is the perfect solution to help her demonstrate her full potential. A straight-A student, Natalie is enjoying her current English unit on Frankenstein through which she and Teresa are discussing the characteristics of sympathetic characters and the nuances of what makes a monster. Natalie is so engaged in the curriculum that she is using Frankenstein as inspiration for penning some poetry outside of class.
By Tony Beals August 27, 2025
When I think back to elementary, middle, and high school, one word comes to mind: survival . I was impulsive, unfocused, forgetful. I often missed assignments—not because I didn’t care, but because I literally couldn’t keep track. I struggled socially, too. I had a few close friends, but for some reason, I always felt like I was on the outside looking in—trying to fit in, but never quite belonging. I got bullied between classes, especially in middle school, and many mornings I was too sick with anxiety to move. I had to fake being sick just to stay home.  At the time (this was the 70's and 80's) there wasn’t language like “neurodivergent” to help me make sense of it all. ADHD was the only word people used—and it came with stigma, side-eyes, and medication warnings. I didn’t want to be that kid, so I put on the mask. No one wants to be that kid—the one who's too much, too loud, too forgetful, too weird. It’s a lonely place, and over time, you start to lose your own sense of self—becoming what you think everyone needs instead of who you actually are and end up being a “social chameleon.”
adult and
August 25, 2025
Private School in Georgia Specializing in One-to-One Instruction for 1st-12th Grade Students Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA — Nearly 12% of K–12 students in Georgia have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or formally identified disability. Yet many families remain unaware of the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program (SB10), which provides financial support for students who need a different kind of learning environment. Brightmont Academy, an accredited private school offering one-to-one instruction, is working to change that by making its personalized model more accessible to students who need it most. With campuses in Alpharetta and Atlanta, Brightmont uses SB10 to help students who haven’t thrived in traditional classrooms get the individualized attention they deserve. “SB10 is a valuable resource for students who need education tailored to their individual needs,” said Aisha Walker, Vice President of School Development. “It allows Brightmont to live out its mission in Georgia—providing one-to-one education for students who haven’t succeeded in traditional settings. SB10 helps relieve the financial burden, making our life-changing approach more accessible.” Brightmont’s one-to-one model pairs each student with a dedicated teacher for every class, allowing for highly individualized learning plans. It’s particularly effective for students with learning differences, emotional challenges, or other needs addressed in IEPs or 504 plans. “The potential impact of SB10 across Atlanta and the surrounding counties is enormous,” said Robyn Brunson, Campus Director at Brightmont’s Atlanta location. “With hundreds of thousands of students in Georgia qualifying for IEPs or 504 plans, the number of eligible families is significant. Unfortunately, awareness remains low. Brightmont is uniquely positioned to serve this demographic: we receive calls weekly from families who qualify but don’t realize SB10 can help them.” Over time, Brightmont expects SB10 to fuel consistent growth at its Georgia campuses. “We envision both the Alpharetta and Atlanta campuses having a consistent and growing enrollment of SB10-funded students,” said Kim Exford, Campus Director at Brightmont Alpharetta. “This would deepen our relationships with local professionals, advocacy networks, and educational consultants. Ultimately, SB10 would be a vehicle through which Brightmont becomes a household name in Georgia for families seeking a personalized and transformational education.” Brightmont Academy is located at 1161 Concord Rd SE Suite 100 in Atlanta, and at 1230 Upper Hembree Road, Suite 101 in Alpharetta, 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 20 campuses in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, 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
student and teacher working at a desk
August 18, 2025
Private School Specializing in One-to-One Instruction for 1st-12th Grade Students National — An estimated 31.9% of adolescents have experienced an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. For many students, anxiety shows up most clearly in the classroom—when expectations are high, the workload feels overwhelming, and it seems impossible to catch up or keep up. Brightmont Academy, a nationally accredited private school offering one-to-one instruction, has become a trusted option for families whose children are experiencing academic anxiety. Whether students are dealing with perfectionism, school-related burnout, or falling behind in core subjects, Brightmont provides a flexible and supportive environment to help them reset and succeed. “Academic anxiety can rear its head in many different ways, sometimes requiring medical or therapeutic professionals as well as a change in the school environment,” said Karen Buckner, CEO of Brightmont Academy. “If a student is struggling, Brightmont steps in and says, ‘Here’s a plan. Here’s a solution. Here’s how we move forward.” Brightmont’s one-to-one model means each student works with one teacher at a time, in a quiet, distraction-free setting tailored to their learning pace and style. Rolling admissions allow students to enroll at any time during the year, so they don’t have to wait for a new semester to make a change. “We had a student come to us feeling defeated,” Buckner recalled. “They didn’t want to return to school, and their parents knew something had to change. We created a plan to make up missed credits, start fresh, and stay on track for graduation. That’s the kind of support families are looking for when everything else feels overwhelming.” Brightmont’s approach is beneficial for students whose anxiety is tied to academic performance or the educational environment. Instead of letting poor grades, missed deadlines, or pressure to perform define a student’s experience, Brightmont helps them regain confidence and control. “As a parent, one of the best things we can do when a student is spiraling downward is to provide a ladder out of the hole—not just stand on the surface with our kids,” Buckner added. “And I think that’s exactly what Brightmont does. We help students climb out and move to the next level.” Brightmont Academy has helped thousands of students succeed in a setting where they feel seen, supported, and capable of thriving. Brightmont Academy is located in eight 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 20 campuses in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, 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
By Barbara Farland August 13, 2025
Beyond Good Grades: Strategies for Mastery
August 12, 2025
Private School in Birmingham Specializing in One-to-One Instruction for 1st-12th Grade Students Birmingham, MI — Brightmont Academy’s Birmingham campus has officially relocated to a larger and more modern facility to meet the growing demand for its one-to-one instructional model. Brightmont Academy, a private accredited school offering one-to-one instruction, outgrew its previous location on Woodward Avenue and has moved into a significantly expanded space designed to support more students and educators. The new campus features double the number of classrooms compared to the former building, creating a more spacious and serene environment for learning. According to Annette Looser, Campus Director at Brightmont Birmingham, the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. “Every new family who has visited us so far has loved the space,” said Looser. “It is a very calm and welcoming environment with twice as many classrooms as our former location. We have had a lot of new families from the area enroll their students in our summer programs, and we expect to keep up with the demand we are receiving so far for full-time students this fall.” The additional square footage not only allows Brightmont to serve more families but also to hire more educators from the surrounding area. The school’s nationally accredited one-to-one instruction model has proven especially effective for students who need individualized attention, including those who have struggled in traditional classroom settings. “The increase in square footage will allow us to help more families that want to enroll their students for the fall,” Looser said. “It will also allow us to employ more teachers from the area.” Brightmont has served thousands of students nationwide through its unique approach to learning, which pairs each student with a dedicated teacher in every subject. With this new location, the school reaffirms its commitment to making education personal, flexible, and successful for every learner. “I thrive on helping people succeed, so my dream for the new location is to help as many families as possible who need a new school environment for their child, especially parents who feel desperate or who have students who are avoiding school,” Looser added. Brightmont Academy is located at 746 E Maple Rd. in Birmingham and is currently accepting enrollments. Families and professionals are invited to attend an Open House event on Thursday, August 21, 2025, between 8:00 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 20 campuses in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, 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
A group of students. Image credit: Adobe Stock Free Collection
By Rachel Pollock August 6, 2025
A Smooth Transition into the New School Year
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