It’s not cliché to say, our children literally are the future, and as Charles Eisenstein writes in his book, The more Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible- “We are all here to contribute our gifts toward something greater than ourselves, and will never be content unless we are.”

It’s true. We will never be content putting meaning into things, attaching value to trends, siphoning dopamine from toxic sources, and entrusting the hearts and minds of our children to pop culture and a broken and corrupt system that would rather keep them lost in the system rather than free to create their own.

It’s time we grasped this with our own hands.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a groundbreaking educational initiative that will transform the way our children learn and grow. The Family Learning Center - Apogee Lockhart will start as a Homeschool Co-Op 2 days a week with one Farm Day. In 2025, the plan is to open an Apogee Campus in Lockhart by Fall of 2025.

Apogee was founded by Matt Beaudreau and Tim Kennedy, and was created to give the power of educating our children back into the hands of the parents and the community. Apogee is designed for every school to be unique and allow for complete autonomy over curriculum, schedule, systems and operations, testing, programs, etc. The core of Apogee is sovereignty on all fronts, and that may look a little different for each campus.

Apogee Lockhart - currently a homeschool co-op & farm school, is rooted in the rich teachings and philosophies of Rudolf Steiner, Montessori, nature, project-based learning, Coyote mentoring, and Socratic methods, focusing on the development of the whole child: Mental, Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Social, and Creative. We plan to evolve into a fully functioning hybrid campus offering a unique blend of homeschooling and communal learning experiences right here in our community.

In a world where conventional education often falls short, the importance of our children's education cannot be overstated. It is essential that we return to the roots of their creativity and nurture their souls in an environment that fosters curiosity, independence, and a deep connection to nature. Our farm school will provide children with the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences, guided by the wisdom of nature and the principles of holistic education.

We believe in taking the power of education out of the hands of the government and placing it where it belongs: with the families and communities who know their children best.

Why is this so crucial? We believe that learning is innate, we are hardwired and designed to learn. This is not a forced behavior, however modern day schools have taken away this ability. The public school system does not teach kids how to think, it teaches them what to think. Many districts are continuing to model themselves around pedagogical practices in other countries, where the exemplar classroom is rows of students, dressed in uniform, repeating “answers” in unison. Where teachers are following a script and principals and instructional coaches are following a script to work with teachers. Students are indoors, under fluorescent lights, told to sit still and be quiet and do as they are told. We are destroying ourselves by robbing our children of their innate creativity and thoughtfulness. 

There are good people doing amazing things in public schools, it is the system that is broken. It is our belief that teaching is not exemplified by a single adult telling others what they know. Learning is natural and we need to get out of the way to allow kids to do what they do best. For all of the answers are within.

Adults are guides, mentors and facilitators to provide opportunities and experiences for kids. To have kids observe and reflect on their own lessons, to understand that there is no right answer in all subjects, including math. It is time to create the environment we desire and need for our kids, families and communities. We do not have to change the system, or tear it down, it will automatically be replaced with a more beautiful idea and system. A community built on love, honesty, honor, courage, and loyalty, commonly known as the Bushido code.