FIT Academy’s mission states that we believe students must have a healthy foundation to achieve academic excellence. Our mission is to provide a rigorous academic experience by offering a balanced approach to the mental, physical, and emotional development of our students.
Some of you may wonder, “What exactly is academic rigor and how does it relate to the school’s mission?”
Our purpose as a school is to advance our students intellectually and academically. Our mission reflects that it is scientifically proven that increasing the health and fitness of our students will enhance intellectual and academic development. As such, while our mission is unique in that it recognizes and emphasizes the importance of health and fitness, the goal is still to serve the intellectual and academic development of students and that is where Academic Rigor comes in.
What is Rigor and What Does It Mean?
While Academic Rigor is difficult to define and may look differently in various settings, it generally means creating a learning environment that is consistently challenging and encourages students to apply foundational learning to higher level, critical thinking. Academic rigor also reflects the belief that students must be challenged and stretched in order to grow academically. Our school uses the acclaimed Core Knowledge curriculum, and we love watching our students flourish as they work hard and overcome the challenges of learning in the classroom.
No Pain, No Gain!
Ironically, this old saying has become widely accepted as it relates to physical activity while viewed with skepticism when it comes to academic work. Just as physical fitness requires straining, working through discomfort, and increasing challenge, the same is true of intellectual and academic growth. It is normal for students to have homework, feel academic strain or discomfort, and grow through struggles along the way. This is part of maintaining a growth mindset, knowing that overcoming today’s struggles will lead to tomorrow’s growth and future successes.
We ask our families to reflect on this as you support your students at home. Just as athletes need cheerleaders and coaches to encourage them through the challenges of day to day training, so do our students in their intellectual and academic endeavors!
As with all things, FIT Academy approaches Academic Rigor from a perspective of balance. This means that our purpose is to challenge and provide opportunities for students to grow academically while balancing other aspects of their lives. What this looks like at FIT Academy is that students will regularly be expected to complete a reasonable amount of homework and all of our students in middle and high school are scheduled for a study hall providing them the opportunity to do so primarily at school.