Question 1

What is the typical schedule for students?

Accepted Answer

There is no typical day at Sora, and every student’s schedule is as unique as they are. The daily school schedule generally falls between 10:00 AM and 4:15 PM EST (or between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM for students on the West Coast), with additional opportunities ranging from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST. However, it's not like a traditional middle school or high school schedule, where students have block period schedules and are continuously sitting in class for several hours. It's much more similar to college, where students will have some required meetings and expeditions throughout the day, with breaks and gaps in between. We do this so that students have time for both synchronous activities and asynchronous (or independent) work. Some days will be busier than others, and it's largely dependent upon the number of expeditions students register for, their math and world language meetings, the depth of their projects, and involvement in student life activities.

Question 2

How do students socialize at Sora?

Accepted Answer

Sora is a close-knit community that provides many ways for students to connect as often as they’d like in our remote culture. Students meet in their Houses twice a day, participate in about two synchronous Learning Expeditions daily, and have the ability to join student clubs, committees, pursue leadership opportunities, and attend office hours with faculty. Students also utilize our learning management system and other chat platforms to stay in constant contact with each other before, during, and after school.

Question 3

Does Sora offer in-person learning opportunities?

Accepted Answer

We believe school is about community, which is why we continue to provide new and innovative ways for students to connect online and in person. For students across the country, we connect families in the same geographic areas for local meet-ups like scheduled dinners, co-learning sessions, group projects, field trips, and more. Additionally, many of our students connect in person with one another during their travels across the country and the world!

Question 4

What are the qualities that you look for in a prospective Sora student?

Accepted Answer

We find that the ideal Sora student is curious, open-minded, independent, and motivated. While past grades are helpful indicators of intellectual capacity, the most successful applicants demonstrate evidence of abilities in social and emotional intelligence, as well as strong executive functioning skills. Students who are a good fit in our student-centered program tend to be excited about learning, and are eager to continue to explore their interests in a meaning-based, mastery school, and experiential school like Sora.

Question 5

Does Sora accept 11th and 12th graders?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes 11th. Never 12th.

Question 6

Does Sora support students with learning differences?

Accepted Answer

Sora’s model and curriculum can support a variety of learners, and some students with learning differences find great success in our program. However, Sora is not a specialized school for students with learning differences and/or those students who identify as neurodivergent. As an independent school, we are unable to provide IEPs, 504s, or any specialized learning plan outside of our typical individualization.

Question 7

How does Sora approach math?

Accepted Answer

Math Placement Testing will be incorporated into the student onboarding process in the near future and will be required for all incoming students. To satisfy High School graduation requirements, Sora students are required to take 4 credits of Math in the High School Program. These requirements are reflective of most state standards. Additionally, all ninth graders must begin at least Algebra 1 in order to successfully complete the required 4 credits of Math. Click here to learn more about math at Sora!

Question 8

What is the tuition?

Accepted Answer

A quality private school education shouldn’t be out of reach for admissible students. Therefore, Sora’s full annual tuition is $12,900 a year, which is more than half of the average tuition of private schools in the U.S. We want to ensure Sora’s student body is socioeconomically expansive, and are proud that 48% of Sora’s families utilize Flexible Tuition, a need-based tuition assistance program which uses an application process to take financial circumstances into account and make a Sora education accessible to more students. Families who qualify for Flexible Tuition can expect to pay anywhere from $3,600-$11,500 a year. On average, families participating in the Flexible Tuition program receive a grant of $4,000 annually.

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