Eclipse Academy is an online school that crafts unique learning experiences for gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students. Part-time and full-time programs are specially tailored and delivered live online over Zoom, 1-to-1 and in small groups, on a schedule you choose. We offer discovery-based learning, student-centered instruction, individualized learning plans, and a supportive community — to help students achieve their potential academically, emotionally, and socially.

Gifted learners demonstrate exceptional intellectual abilities and a high aptitude for learning in one or more areas. Twice-exceptional students, also known as 2e, are gifted individuals who also experience learning differences and/or social-emotional challenges. They may excel in certain areas while facing difficulty in others.

Yes, Eclipse Academy is entirely online. Our students have the flexibility to access their coursework, and attend live online Zoom sessions, from anywhere in the world (with an internet connection). While instruction happens online, we invite students to engage in hands-on, experiential learning and real-world projects.

The experience of our program is the same for all students, regardless of a student’s enrollment status as full- or part-time. The distinction is that full-time students take all their classes at Eclipse Academy, while part-time students take some classes at Eclipse, and some classes at another school or via homeschool. Tuition fees are assessed per hour of instruction, at the same rate for full- or part-time.

Discovery learning involves a range of teaching approaches, including inquiry, Socratic dialogue, and project-based learning. While class sessions happen live online, students also engage in the physical world, for instance by collecting life-science specimens from their backyards and nearby streams, and bringing them to Zoom sessions to share and analyze together.

Eclipse offers a range of courses for gifted and 2e learners (grades 3 - 12) in all core academic subjects like English, math, science, and social studies, as well as electives such as art, music, chess, mindfulness, culinary arts, and more.

Each course is tailored for each student, drawing upon a range of materials — from accredited online coursework (e.g. Johns Hopkins CTY) to supplemental resources (e.g. Beast Academy, TED Ed, and robotics kits) along with discovery-based activities we design from scratch.

Eclipse Academy offers both accredited and unaccredited course options, for full- and part-time students, across subjects and grade levels. Our focus is on crafting personalized learning experiences, enlisting accredited resources as relevant upon request. For more information on accreditation, contact us with any questions.

Students can start anytime, year-round. We work with each family to determine a custom academic calendar, honoring each family’s preferred start dates, due dates, and holidays. Teachers span all U.S. time zones, with availability seven days a week. Our flexible 24-hour cancelation policy accounts for the unexpected.

During enrollment, an admissions counselor will gather your student’s availability and propose a custom class schedule (of 1-to-1 and/or small-group sessions) with teachers hand-selected by our Head of School, with your child in mind.

We work with each family to develop a custom educational program that’s right for their needs, academically and financially. Tuition is billed monthly, with rates adjusted regionally for cost of living, at a range of $20 - $40 for small-group classes, and $60 - $80 per hour of 1-to-1 instruction. We offer volume-based discounts, so that families with more weekly sessions pay less. To determine the tuition rate for your family, schedule a free consultation with our Head of School who, based on your family’s needs and goals, can offer a custom tuition quote.

Eclipse offers a self-paced learning environment, where students progress at a pace, and to a level of mastery, that addresses their individual goals.

While our program is best described as “self-paced” that’s somewhat of a misnomer — our program moves at the right academic pace for each student, yet also is highly structured and attentively managed by our teachers, with clear assignment prompts and due dates, ample scaffolding, and an agreed upon homework schedule.

Most families prefer to align their custom coursework with national learning standards, such as the Common Core or Next Generation Science Standards — in this case, students are presented with a menu of choices of engaging learning activities yet, behind the scenes, our teachers carefully track the mastery of each learning standard

However, some families abstain from a standards-based approach, or prefer to define their own standards. We tune in to each family’s values to guide our approach to learning goals.

We work with each family to craft a custom approach to assessing learning and grading student work. While most families opt-in to letter grades, other families prefer narrative progress reports only — the choice is yours. Even when letter grades are issued, we take a “mastery based” approach, meaning that students are encouraged to keep refining and attempting assignments without penalty, until mastery is achieved.

We determine that a student has achieved mastery when they can independently complete a task, or apply knowledge in multiple contexts. We do not measure seat time, busywork, number of attempts, nor time spent working — only learning outcomes.

Yes, upon meeting the requirements for course completion, Eclipse Academy issues an academic transcript (PDF or post-mailed) with credit awarded, along with (optional) letter grades and/or narrative progress summaries. Eclipse Academy does not charge transcript fees, and can provide an official copy anytime upon request.

Our Head of School and Director of Education oversee all learning and teaching at Eclipse, ensuring a challenging, relevant, and engaging academic experience, across subjects.

Ongoing communication among all parties is key to our successful outcomes. Teachers email parents a progress summary after every class session, and invite insights, questions, and feedback from home. Our teachers are adept at refining each program, as learning needs and goals evolve.

At Eclipse, we craft an individual education plan for every student, and honor any prior IEPs and 504 plans, incorporating all prior recommendations and accommodations. During enrollment, our school’s founder gets to know a student's unique personality, interests, strengths and challenges, and goals, and then crafts a custom learning plan for teachers to follow and expand upon.

Having often felt like outsiders, gifted and 2e students often feel that at Eclipse Academy, they’ve finally found their tribe. We understand the social-emotional needs of gifted and 2e kids, and nurture a respectful and inclusive global learning community.

Through the Michelle Garcia Winner social-thinking framework, we foster a sense of belonging and encourage meaningful connection, transcending geography.

Absolutely! While most of our students identify in some way as gifted or 2e, other students eschew labels, and we respect that. Our enrollment process ensures good mutual fit, and that we can provide an appropriate learning environment for each student.

Yes! We understand the importance of making an informed decision, but without financial risk. Try any Eclipse Academy session, an hour live 1-to-1 over Zoom with a teacher in any subject, and pay after only if you decide to enroll. We seek to enroll only those students for whom we’re a good fit. Contact us to schedule your free trial session at your family’s convenience.

Choosing the right school for your child is a momentous decision. We recommend scheduling a free consultation with our Head of School to determine if Eclipse Academy aligns with your family’s values and vision. We can offer a transparent look at our approach, share examples of student work and learning activities, and recommended a customized learning plan, along with wrap-around support services like executive-functioning coaching.