217. Exploring Homeschooling with Hilton Horizons Academy's Candice Hilton

About the Guest:

Candice Hilton is the founder of Hilton Horizons Academy, a hybrid micro school for K-8 homeschoolers. As a former public school teacher, Candice transitioned into homeschooling to foster personalized education that emphasizes flexibility, enrichment, and community-oriented learning. With her profound commitment to educational innovation and personalized instruction, she has developed a thriving environment where children can excel and explore their passions.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode, Colin Johnson hosts Candice Hilton, the innovative mind behind Hilton Horizons Academy, on the "Johnson City Living" podcast. Amid discussions about living in Kingsport and the local educational landscape, Candice delves into her motivations for starting a hybrid micro school and how it caters to homeschoolers by balancing traditional education with personalized learning experiences. As a former public school teacher, Candice's insights into the educational needs of children and her solutions through Hilton Horizons Academy offer listeners a fresh perspective on alternatives to conventional schooling.

Candice Hilton shares her journey from public school teaching to founding Hilton Horizons Academy, a unique hybrid micro school designed to blend the homeschooling spirit with enriched educational opportunities. The Academy offers a flexible schedule, personalized curriculum, and hands-on learning activities, aiming to build a nurturing environment where children thrive. With discussions centering around the increasing homeschool trend, Candice provides key insights and practical advice for parents considering homeschooling, highlighting the Academy as a supportive partner in this educational journey. From innovative teaching methods to community integration, this episode vividly captures the essence of redefining education.

Key Takeaways:

• Hybrid Micro School Concept: Hilton Horizons Academy offers a blend of homeschool flexibility with structured, enriching educational experiences.
• Community and Personalization: The academy focuses on personalized lesson plans and enlists community members to enhance student learning.
• The Homeschooling Trend: Candice discusses the growing popularity of homeschooling and how her academy supports parents through this transition.
• Hands-On Learning Activities: The school incorporates activities like fossil making, Spanish lessons, and art classes to foster deeper engagement and understanding.
• Vision for Growth: While keeping a small scale to retain personalized learning, Hilton Horizons Academy aims to expand its reach and potentially include high school levels.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Wouldn't it be great if we could just bring it all together? So we actually help parents get started with homeschooling."
2. "It's all in one place. And I thought, if my daughter would love this, then the community would love this."
3. "Just listen to them and value them and just take into what they're telling you, it's amazing."
4. "Homeschooling and things like this, you can adapt that as well."
5. "It's amazing just to be able to be the parent and be the person that's seeing them as they grow."

Resources:

• Hilton Horizons Academy Website: hiltonhorizonsacademy.com (URL provided as a reference for readers)

Encouraging listeners to delve into the full episode promises a deeper understanding of the dynamic and nurturing environment at Hilton Horizons Academy and how it reimagines the homeschooling experience. Stay tuned for more enlightening content and real-life solutions from the Johnson City Living podcast series.