Brookland, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Feb. 19, 2025 – A Nettleton Public Schools teacher will be opening a microschool for students who may struggle in traditional school settings.
Cheyenne Luster founded the microschool, Bright Learners Academy, in January. It will measure students’ progress by demonstrating mastery of the subject. This allows each child to work at their own pace, promoting accountability and fostering a strong work ethic.
The academy offers K-8th grade enrichment academic classes, designed for students who need a different approach to learning.
“Some students excel in hands-on, project-based learning or benefit from small class sizes,” Luster said. “Others may struggle in traditional classrooms where learning doesn’t always feel engaging. At Bright Learners Academy, we are taking education back to the ‘one-room schoolhouse’ model, where students of all ages can learn from one another, without being restricted by age or grade level.”
Luster teaches Nettleton Public Schools’s (NPS) Alternative Learning Program, working with kindergarten through 6th grade students in math and literacy. One day, while talking with a coworker, she said she realized traditional schools focus primarily on whether students have been taught certain standards by a specific grade level. However, many students fall behind, making it nearly impossible to meet those expectations.
“I discovered that the way I loved to teach didn’t align with the traditional school system. That’s when the idea of opening a microschool came to me—a place where students could thrive through mastery-based, hands-on, project-based, and self-paced learning,” Luster said. “Here, students wouldn’t be confined to grade levels based on age; instead, they would learn at their own unique pace in a way that best suits them—even if that means never picking up a pencil.”
Luster will continue to teach at NPS until the end of the 2024-25 school year in May.
The academy will also integrate life skills into its lessons, including teaching gardening, taking care of animals and more.
Luster said the academy is looking to accept 25 students into the inaugural class. Classes will be organized into two groups: one for children ages 5-9 and another for children ages 10-13.
This setup fosters small, multi-age groups and flexible scheduling, allowing students to progress at their own pace while receiving personalized support from the teacher, Luster said. Classes are set to begin in August 2025.
She added that families will need to pay tuition. However, there is a state-funded program called the Education Freedom Account, which is part of the homeschooling initiative. If accepted into the program, tuition will be covered.
During the admissions process, priority will be given to families demonstrating a “strong commitment” to their child’s education, such as showing consistent support of teachers’ efforts to prioritize learning, Luster said.
Families and students must also familiarize themselves with the Bright Learners Academy Handbook, and if the student previously received support services such as a 504 Plan, IEP, or other therapies, documentation must be provided.
Luster added that students are expected to take their academic responsibilities seriously.
Classes will be held at the Grandslam Entertainment in Brookland, which Luster owns. Any inflatables in the space will be removed during school hours and two rooms will be designated as breakout spaces. A large central room will be used for students of all ages to do project-based learning activities.
Luster said she chose this location because it is conveniently situated between Paragould and Jonesboro.
“It is not located on a gravel road, and there is ample space to develop a farm and offer plenty of outdoor exploration opportunities. I own Grandslam Entertainment, and the building is available Monday through Friday, with no events taking place inside during the week,” Luster said, noting that the venue is typically used for parties on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. “The facility is spacious, offering plenty of room for students, and it provides a safe and clean environment.”
To donate, apply, or for more information about Bright Learners Academy, contact the academy at blacademy25@gmail.com, call at 870-926-3801, or find it on Facebook. Donations will be used to buy curriculum and farm supplies, learning resources and technology for students, and field trips.
For families interested in attending, the academy will be hosting an Information Night on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 5:30 p.m. at Grandslam Entertainment, 50 CR 792 in Brookland. To register, click here or complete the Interest Form online if unable to attend.