When High-Achieving Scholars Are Truly Challenged

At Innovate Academy, high-achieving scholars aren’t just expected to keep pace—they are encouraged to set it. Emilee Stambaugh, an eleventh grader who graduated from Innovate in eighth grade with her class's highest GPA, reflects on how a personalized pathway transformed her education.

Parents of academically motivated scholars often ask an important question when exploring a new school:

Will my child be challenged?

At Innovate Academy, scholars are not expected to move through the same curriculum at the same pace. Instead, Mentors work closely with each Scholar to develop personalized learning pathways that recognize their strengths, address their needs, and help them grow.

For some scholars, that means additional support and accommodations. For others, it means accelerated coursework, deeper exploration of ideas, and opportunities to pursue advanced challenges earlier than they might elsewhere.

Emilee Stambaugh experienced that environment firsthand.

Emilee joined Innovate Academy in sixth grade and quickly embraced the school’s rigorous academic culture. By the time she graduated in eighth grade, she had earned the highest GPA in her class. Yet what stands out most about her experience is how Innovate Mentors recognized her strengths and helped her pursue meaningful academic challenges.

Learning at the Right Pace

One of the defining features of Innovate Academy is how Mentors observe their Scholars and adjust their learning when they are ready for the next step.

Emilee remembers this happening early in her time at Innovate.

“When I transferred in during sixth grade, I started in the same classes as everyone else. But once my Mentors noticed that I was moving ahead more quickly in math, they made adjustments.”

Rather than holding her to the traditional sequence, her Mentors encouraged her to move forward.

“Math was very easy for me in sixth grade, so in seventh grade, they moved me into Algebra I with the eighth graders. I ended up skipping Pre-Algebra.”

The transition was challenging, but that challenge helped her grow.

“It was difficult at first, but I ended up really enjoying it.”

By eighth grade, Emilee was ready for the next level.

“I took Algebra II through an online classical school called Logos. That was actually my favorite year of math—even more than my last three math courses in high school.”

This kind of academic flexibility allows Innovate Scholars to grow at the pace that best fits them. When a Scholar is ready for greater challenge, Mentors work alongside families to provide opportunities for advanced coursework and deeper learning.

At the same time, Innovate’s culture encourages Scholars to support one another.

“I appreciated how my peers encouraged me rather than discouraged me for my academic successes.”

A Culture of Intellectual Curiosity

For Emilee, the pace and depth of learning at Innovate Academy made school exciting.

“I enjoyed the fast-paced workload of Innovate. We were learning something new every day.”

Rather than feeling overwhelmed, she found the rigor motivating.

“I liked having homework most nights because I felt like I was always learning something.”

Innovate’s classical approach to education also shaped her experience. Scholars regularly engage in Socratic discussions, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary connections between subjects.

“I loved the way we learned history and science through hands-on lessons. I also really enjoyed the Socratic discussions we had as a class.”

These discussions encourage Scholars not only to share their ideas but also to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully to one another.

Speech and Debate was another highlight of Emilee’s upper school experience.

“We ended the year with a Speech and Debate topic, and I won first prize.”

When Emilee transitioned to Liberty University Online Academy for high school, she felt well prepared.

“The transition was smooth because I was already used to connecting spiritual truths with what we were learning in history and literature.”

Discovering an Entrepreneurial Spirit

Innovate Academy also encourages Scholars to apply their learning in real-world contexts.

Through Boss Club, an entrepreneurship course taught by entrepreneur Ryan Derfler, Scholars learn how to develop and run their own small businesses.

Emilee entered the course with an idea already underway.

“During COVID, I had started selling stickers through Instagram.”

Her small online shop grew to more than 1,000 followers, giving her early experience with marketing and customer engagement.

Boss Club helped her think more deeply about how businesses grow.

“Most of my friends had never started a business before, so while I was learning how to scale my own business, I also helped some of my classmates think through their business ideas.”

The experience reinforced Innovate’s belief that Scholars benefit from opportunities to create, build, and lead, not simply absorb information.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Emilee’s initiative also led her to pursue real-world experience on campus.

In sixth grade, she approached Ben Cordova, chef of Innovate’s campus café, The Table, and asked if she could help.

“I remember asking if I could work there during my lunch period.”

Ben encouraged her enthusiasm but explained she would need to wait until she turned thirteen.

When she reached that milestone in seventh grade, Emilee began volunteering at The Table.

She started in the kitchen with supervision and gradually learned additional responsibilities.

“By eighth grade, I was helping more independently, learning the register, and making smoothies.”

She eventually helped during campus events such as Sizzling Summer and continued working at The Table after graduating.

That experience later helped her secure another job at a local smoothie shop.

The Advantage of Being Known

For Emilee, one of the most meaningful aspects of Innovate Academy was its close-knit community.

“I liked going to a smaller school because I always felt seen and connected with my teachers.”

In that environment, Mentors recognized her strengths and encouraged her to keep growing.

“I always felt like my Mentors wanted me to succeed.”

Small class sizes also helped Scholars build meaningful friendships across grade levels.

“I felt like I knew everyone in the upper school and even the lower school. It felt like family.”

Helping Scholars Grow Into Their Strengths

Emilee’s story reflects the kind of environment Innovate Academy seeks to create for every Scholar.

When Scholars are known personally, challenged academically, and encouraged to explore their interests, they gain the confidence to pursue meaningful goals.

Whether accelerating in mathematics, launching a business, participating in Socratic discussions, or gaining real-world work experience, Emilee embraced the opportunities around her.

At Innovate Academy, Mentors work intentionally to ensure that every Scholar—whether they need additional support, greater challenge, or both—has the opportunity to grow into the person they are called to become.

Interested in learning more about Innovate Academy?
We invite you to see our Scholars and Mentors in action.

👉 Schedule a tour of Innovate Academy and discover how personalized learning can help your Scholar thrive.