Last year in Kingsport, Tennessee, Candice Hilton opted to homeschool her daughter, believing that the conventional public school system lacked the flexibility and enrichment her child required.

Hilton, who previously taught in public schools, established the Hilton Horizons Academy, a “hybrid microschool” catering to K-12 homeschooled students. The academy offers essential subjects like reading and math alongside enrichment classes in areas such as STEM, art, and Spanish.

“We have an abstract artist teaching our art classes,” Hilton explained. “We invite local experts to teach STEM and other classes. Community members like Sparky the Dog from the fire department and guests from NASA have joined us, introducing students to various career paths and facilitating hands-on learning experiences.”

Currently, Hilton Horizons Academy educates 40 students across its two locations: one in Kingsport, open since July, and another in Johnson City, operational since September. The program employs three teachers, including Hilton, and three additional enrichment staff.

“Our program offers options for two, three, or five days a week,” said Hilton. “For instance, students in the two-day program spend the remaining days homeschooling at home. This approach allows parents to maintain the flexibility they enjoy with homeschooling while providing access to teaching support, tutoring, and social interaction for their children.”

Hilton said the program includes core subjects in the morning, an hour lunch break and options for enrichment classes in the afternoon.

Students take field trips and are given the option to focus on subjects that interest them.

The program makes sure that each student is getting their individual academic needs met through MAP testing and private tutoring sessions.

“We have created a supportive community,” Hilton stated. “Unlike public schools, we are socially and academically connected, setting goals collaboratively. We love what we do and are committed to expanding our program, hoping to see continued progress.”