Mission & Operation

The mission of Decent Learners is to help school-aged youth develop scholastic autonomy by guiding conceptual mastery of academic disciplines.

Neither a school nor a co-op, it currently operates as what we call an academic clinic for students engaging Kindergarten through 8th grade content and is comprised of three programs. During clinic sessions, academic coaches will use pedagogical techniques to develop students into intrinsically motivated critical thinkers (i.e. independent learners). Independent learning is essential for performing well in academic institutions.

If developing your student into an independent learner so that they can be comfortably proficient in secondary and higher learning institutions is consistent with the educational goals of your family, consider joining the academic clinic.

Programming

Advanced Decoding

Advanced Decoding is a 5-month course through which students learn to blend "big words" that include multiple syllables and letter combinations (e.g. different, hedgehog, casserole).To participate, students must be CVC-ready. This means they are able to blend simple three-letter words (e.g. sit, cat, dog). It will also be helpful if they can write the lowercase alphabet and numbers 1-25, but this is not required. The course demands daily engagement with the material (i.e. homework). Expect your child to practice at least 5 days each week for about 15-45 minutes.

Emerging Readers

There is a difference between decoding and reading. Decoding is easy; reading is much harder. In 5 months, your student will be able to decode the word maximize. However, they will not be able to read it. Emerging Readers uses academic workbooks to develop 3^rd grade level reading comprehension. By the end of the program, students will have a reading comprehension foundation strong enough to engage academic material with virtually no adult assistance.The program is expected to have a duration of two and a half years, but it will ultimately depend on student progress. Students meet twice each week for 1-hour coaching sessions and will be assigned daily tasks.

Discipline Prep

When students enroll into high school or college, they begin taking separate courses (or classes). These classes take on the name of various academic disciplines. For example, algebra, English literature, grammar, U.S. history, etc. are academic disciplines. During Discipline Prep, students further enhance the skill of reading comprehension while developing a strong foundation in the academic disciplines.To participate, students must be able to read proficiently at the 3^rd grade level and must be responsive to the directives of the academic coaches. The program is expected to have a duration of five years, but it will ultimately depend on student progress. Students meet twice each week for 3-hour coaching sessions and will be assigned daily tasks.

FAQs

What is an academic coach?

The easiest way to describe academic coaching is by comparing it to tutoring. Tutors help students master specific content goals. Academic coaches help students develop into independent learners. While tutors focus on subject matter in specific domains (e.g. being able to distinguish between linking and helping verbs), academic coaches use a number of subject matters to help scholars develop the type of thinking required to thrive academically across all domains on their own. In short, academic coaches focus on process while tutors focus on content.

In which program should I enroll my student?

Diagnostic testing will be used when suggesting which program your student should enroll into.

Is this a drop-off option?

Yes, although the coach-student ratio may require occasional parent volunteering.

What is the cost?

Currently, the price for each program is set at the no-barriers cost (see below). The price structure will change by the 2027-28 academic year. More info will be provided soon.
            Advanced Decoding is $75/semester
            Emerging Readers is $125/semester
            Discipline Prep is $250/semester

Need more FAQs? Reach out!