Yes, we accept the Opportunity Scholarship for full-time students. We are in the process of becoming a direct payment school, and while we are not yet listed in the portal dropdown, you can select “unknown” for now since you have until October 1st to select your school. To take advantage of the scholarship, apply through the state portal before the March 2nd deadline.

Please note our policy for part-time students: We currently cannot accept the Opportunity Scholarship for part-time enrollment. The NCSEAA requires a fixed, streamlined part-time track, whereas our academy offers an "a la carte" model so families can custom-select individual courses.

Consequently, a la carte students must self-pay. However, for families with a provable financial hardship that are unable to utilize the state scholarship for this or any other reason, we offer internal institutional financial aid to ensure our program remains accessible to those in need.

Yes, we offer both full time and part time options. Students can be enrolled full time, for full days Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We also offer courses “à la carte” where families can select specific courses and students can come during the selected course timeslots.

We offer three enrollment pathways designed to support family flexibility: Fully Remote, In-Person, and a Hybrid-Flex option. The Hybrid-Flex model allows our in-person students to attend classes virtually during temporary absences due to travel, illness, or transport issues, ensuring academic continuity without interruption.

St. John’s Orthodox Academy is a legally recognized, diploma-granting institution, and we are in the process of registering with the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE).

Why we are intentionally unaccredited: We choose to remain independent of secular accreditation bodies. This autonomy ensures our curriculum is governed by the Church’s traditions rather than shifting secular benchmarks, while also redirecting administrative costs away from bureaucracy and into the classroom.

Our Standards of Excellence:

• State-Verified: Our standing is in the process of becoming verified by the NCSEAA, allowing us to participate in the NC Opportunity Scholarship program.

• University-Ready: Our University Model fosters the self-discipline and independent study habits required for college success through our two-day "Satellite" schedule.

• Objective Testing: We utilize nationally standardized testing annually to validate academic growth and ensure our students remain competitive.

Our students graduate with a valid high school diploma, a rigorous academic portfolio, and the mature study habits necessary for higher education.

It is not a homeschool co-op, but we do have options for students who are homeschooled to be co-enrolled by selecting ala carte classes from our course catalog.

Parent Volunteer Requirements

We believe that parents are essential partners in the educational process. We encourage active participation in the life of the school through:

• Volunteer Roles*:

  • Event Planning (e.g., cultural festivals, holiday celebrations, school fairs)

  • Transportation and Chaperone Duties

*Note that all volunteers are required to complete a background check

• Family Involvement in Religious Life:

  • Parents are encouraged to attend weekly services at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, or their home parish if attending another Orthodox jurisdiction.

To provide a seamless learning environment, parents may schedule a 45–60 minute classroom observation with 24–48 hours' notice, provided they maintain a silent, non-interactive "fly on the wall" presence in designated seating.

Our Academic Foundation

Faith is our atmosphere, not an isolated subject. We anchor our studies through the Prologue of Ohrid, following the Lives of the Saints and the Liturgical Cycle to ensure academic and spiritual formation remain inseparable.

A Unified Educational Model

• The Law of God (K–12 Signature Course): A unique, tiered theological curriculum exclusive to our school, crafted and taught by a scholarly clergyman. Students move from foundational scriptural narratives to advanced dogmatics, moral theology, and the Nicene Creed, ensuring they graduate with a profound "Phronema" (mind of the Church).

• Mystery of History: Our chronological historical spine, with a specialized focus on the Byzantine Empire. We emphasize the "Golden Age" of Christendom, the reign of St. Justinian, and the defense of the Orthodox faith, helping students see history through a Patristic lens.

• The Good and the Beautiful (TGTB): Integrated across several subjects to support our "Family Style" schoolhouse model and home "Satellite Days."

• Charlotte Mason Method (Music & Appreciation): Utilized for intentional composer and artist studies, cultivating a rich, living appreciation for beauty, classical masterworks, and cultural heritage.

• Rosetta Stone (Foreign Language): Utilized to provide immersive, self-paced foreign language acquisition, allowing students to develop linguistic fluency efficiently and independently across our hybrid schedule.

• IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing): Our gold standard for English, ensuring students master the structure and style of the written word.

• Teaching Textbooks (Math): A comprehensive K-12 math curriculum we use for core instruction, paired with two professional tutors to provide dedicated 1-1 support and guidance for each student.

• Novare Science: Utilized for Earth Science, Biology, and Physical Science to provide a mastery-based understanding of the natural world.

• The Children’s Garden of the Theotokos: A tactile, beauty-focused baseline that shows our students the life of the Church through nature and play.

Yes, our academic framework is deeply rooted in the classical tradition, anchored by the rich patristic heritage of the Orthodox Church and time-tested instructional standards. Through chronologically integrated history spines like Mystery of History, mastery-based scientific inquiry through Novare Science, gold-standard writing via IEW, and a rigorous theological progression culminating in advanced dogmatics, we cultivate articulate, deeply formed thinkers who view all knowledge through the mind of the Church.

At the same time, we thoughtfully incorporate modern, flexible resources—such as The Good and the Beautiful, Teaching Textbooks, and Rosetta Stone—to seamlessly support our family-style hybrid model and home-study days. These materials provide exceptional, engaging structure and personalized skill-building, allowing our educators to offer dedicated guidance while preserving the joy and wonder of childhood.

Standard Rates:

• Standard Rate/Base Tuition (Full-Time): $7,942

• Part-Time (A la Carte): $1,000 per year-long course ($500 for Physical Education)

Internal Financial Aid for Needy Families: For self-pay families with a provable financial hardship, we offer institutional financial aid.

We understand some families may need to utilize monthly installments to manage tuition.

Please use our contact form to reach out to us, and we will do everything we can to assist you!

Note that the NC Opportunity Scholarship covers our Full Time tuition only, and it does not cover our a la carte courses.