Our Mission
Inspire & empower
Our vision is to foster a lifelong love of learning, exploration and entrepreneurial thinking. Our unique approach nurtures a passion for learning that will be with the student for life. Our independent learning program provides an environment that allows each student to flourish under the individualized guidance of Academy Coaches, not to teach the student subjects, but to encourage the student to think, explore, solve problems and communicate. We work with each student individually to develop a tailored approach that takes into consideration thier unique learning style as well as their needs and goals.
Our Goals
Empower teens with the tools to succeed
Astrolabe Academy
Is a culmination of years of educational experiences. This began as support for the homeschool community with summer camps, classes, and field trips from our Headmaster’s farm and grew into a full-fledged farm-based high school in Virginia. But the trends in education and growing issues with teens led to thoughts and planning for a new kind of support for the Nation’s struggling high school students. As we struggled with the issues and how to best help, the COVID closures pushed us into decision. We closed the farm school and pivoted our programs and resources to meet the needs of many more students then we could help on the farm.
We continue to be passionate about our environment and the impact that commercial farming has on it. We remain passionate about sustainable farming. But more than anything, we are passionate about education and creating a learning evnvironment that allows children to be the natural, life-long learners that they are.
Our roots
What began as a homeschool resource…
Then morphed into a high school farm campus (L.O.C.A.L. S.T.E.W. U.) and now serves students everywhere as a self-directed learning academy.
About that acronym…
L.O.C.A.L. S.T.E.W. U = Land & Ocean Conservation In Agricultural Lifestyles for a Sustainable, Traceable, & Environmentally Wise Universe (LoSU)
How is that for an acronym? That long name comes with an even bigger responsibility! LoSU is taking on several challenging goals with love, dedication and enthusiasm. Originally, our goal was to use STEM* related educational components to bring the exciting world of ocean research and exploration inland, highlighting the connection between agricultural science and ocean science. However, as we offered classes, workshops and events here on the farm and became more involved with education in general, we broadened the scope of our learning activities.
We have become passionate about creating a learning environment where kids can learn at their own pace. Our vision now encompasses a sprawling school based on the science, math and economy of agriculture (with trickles of ocean science), where high-school students will come to love learning while developing skills they’ll need for life. This learning style embraces everything we believe children who are frustrated by traditional school will need to get re-engaged with education and a life-time of learning.
L.O.C.A.L. S.T.E.W. U. will foster a strong desire for stewardship of the earth and its resources including watersheds in the Nation’s agricultural areas. At the same time, children will be engaged in and excited about the endless of possibilities for their futures in the myriad of related science, technology, engineering, mechanical and mathematics fields that they will be exposed to through these learning adventures!
*STEM refers to education in the following areas; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(The NOAA image above shows dead zones in the ocean from agriculture run-off)
A Message From
Our Director
” It is such a pleasure to see frustrated, insecure teens metamorphose into competant and confident young adults. At AAHS, we give them the tools they need to succeed in a 21st Century future. We show them kindness, compassion and trust. We allow them to learn to work independently, to experiment and to develop the skills to not only solve problems, but to recognize them ahead of time. “
Testimonials
What Parents are Saying
“I couldn’t believe the change in my child. No more fights over school or homework—just excited conversations about what she explored that day and discovered. Her finding a mentor in her field of interest encouraged her to really throw herself at this and excel.”
“High school looked very different for Judson and I’m so glad it did. He spent the last four years in the best situation for him. Hands on learning so many life skills in a program that was a perfect fit for this boy. And, yesterday he began the next chapter in his life. He is beginning an internship at a fabulous beef cattle farm. When we left him yesterday, his little brother said “I’m glad Judson got his dream”. Thank you, Terry Travers, for helping his dream become a reality.”
“Annie learned so much about herself in this program, I couldn’t help but learn more about myself as well. This has been an inspiration to us both. She finished the Foundations 101 course with the Graduation Track, graduated at 16 and went right into a four year program where she is studying chemistry and loving it! Thank you for giving this girl her wings.”
school hours
Location
Based in New Mexico, we serve all 50 states.