There’s no PERFECT school model for EVERY SINGLE child or family. Public schools have their faults, private schools aren’t flawless either, and homeschooling is 100% not for the faint of heart. However, there’s another non-traditional school model that is pretty amazing you may not know about: University-Model®.

In this blog, I'm going to introduce the model and discuss a few reasons I find it to be a great learning environment for families.

The University-Model® (UM) was created by 8 homeschooling parents that wanted to ensure their children would be adequately equipped for college. They strongly valued the time they got to spend with their kids through homeschooling, but they also recognized that certain knowledge was needed for advanced academics that was just beyond their scope.

The first UM school was Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington, Texas that opened its doors in 1993. As of 2023, the University-Model® has grown to 90 campuses in 24 states... and 4 countries! (https://naumsinc.org/).

In practice, the overarching UM method looks like this:

UM schools are equipped with highly qualified educators, certified teachers, and operate as Christian private schools.
In-person days are full school days (8:00-3:30).
The model is designed as a college-preparatory school. Therefore, class schedules resemble that of which they will soon encounter in post-secondary experiences.
Primary (Kinder-2nd) and elementary (3rd-6th) students go to school in-person on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, students receive assignments to be completed on their satellite days (or homeschooling days).
Secondary students (7th-12th) attend school in-person on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Like their younger peers, they also receive assignments from their teachers to complete on satellite days (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
9th-12th grade students can opt to take additional courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In order for students to succeed in a UM school, parents have to dedicate time to and prioritize the title they receive of “co-instructor” on satellite days. Essentially, they partner with their child’s teacher to reinforce content being initially introduced at school but practiced at home.

Parents must have a flexible work schedule or be a stay-at-home parent, especially during primary and elementary grades. The goal is to decrease parent dependence on satellite days and increase student’s independence with his/her satellite work by 4th and 5th grade; however, students still need assistance every once in a while even in higher grades.

TIME

Being a co-instructor is a major commitment from parents. In return, however, parents gain so much TIME with their children.

Think about this: kids go to school from 8:00-4:00ish (that is IF they don’t go to after school care). That is 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. They’re away from their parents for a minimum of FORTY HOURS each week.

They spend all that time with their friends and teachers, leading to peer influences and others’ ethics and morals being “instilled” in their belief systems.

On the contrary, participation in a UM school cuts that weekly 40 hours away from home to 16 hours (for primary and elementary grades). During tremendous developmental years in their lives, UM parents continue to have more time with their children than peers, increasing their chances of remaining the primary voice of influence in their lives.

Additionally, as a previous public school teacher, I can’t neglect the “wasted time” I experienced at school. Although we had 50-minute periods, students were fully engaged for about 30 minutes. MAX. Not to toot my own horn at all, but I was a pretty structured teacher. All 50 minutes were accounted for in my lesson plans. Students had daily warm-up assignments to be completed within the first five minutes of class. I would then review previous content, teach new content, and allow for students to practice. Before they left, I would do a wrap-up activity. It was a full class, no doubt!

Nevertheless, the re-directing, disciplining, side discussions, interruptions, and disengagement could never be included in the allotted time or planned for. I also had strict classroom rules and followed through with consequences. Teaching 30+ teenagers (I taught high school) was HARD! (but also so fulfilling!)

As I began researching University-Model® schools, I also developed an interest for how much time students are required to attend traditional school.

I understand that working parents need “childcare.” Not every household can consider anything other than an 8:00-4:00, traditional school schedule for their children.

However, there are many families that can. Sacrifices, shuffling schedules, and budgeting may be required, but the paybacks are priceless.

Our Experience
The summer before Levi started kindergarten, I quit my teaching job, gave birth to our second child, and was halfway through my master’s degree. I hadn’t heard of University-Model® schools yet.

He attended a traditional (full-time) school. When his baby brother and I would pick him up after school, he would always ask, “So, what did you guys do today?” And was sad he missed out on what we did (which was typically nothing because I was always drowning in homework between interrupted nighttime sleep and demanding nursing schedules). After school, we would rush home to change to make it to piano or gymnastics on time. And he was FIVE! A baby with that kind of busy schedule.

When I finished my masters, I decided to pursue my doctorate. That same year, we added another baby to the mix, and Levi continued to complain about missing out on being with us while he spent all day at school.

Then I heard about our local University-Model® school.

It sounded crazy, impossible, and yet beautiful. To have all my boys with me three days a week, while I continued to pursue my education. My husband also welcomed the idea of seeing all three of his sons the days he came home for lunch during the week.

I knew it would add a tremendous load to my plate as I began my doctoral journey, but my husband and I truly value watching our boys grow up and want to spend as much time with them as we can.

Levi started 3rd grade at a UM school, and we couldn’t be happier with that experience. His first year was also when the world shut down because of the pandemic. With that chaotic situation, we were even more thankful to have been a part of a UM school.

Since Levi’s school switch, he has become much more engaged in our home. He helps with trash duty, weekend projects, and trip planning. He also has such a strong relationship with his little brothers who are much younger than him—there’s a 5-year gap between him and Titus, and a 7-year gap between him and Micah. Levi protects, teaches, and cares for them. It really is a beautiful thing to witness as a mother.

I credit our choice of schooling for their close relationship.

Please don’t get this twisted and think they don’t fight. They do. I’ve discussed how I teach them to fight in this post (this has been a really constant thing in our home.)

Another aspect that has been very valuable for us is how much Levi has learned about himself. He learned that he’s a great multitasker—I could never juggle a soccer ball while my mom read to me and then answer comprehension questions. He has also learned when he needs a break. Better yet, he can take breaks whenever he wants!! Rather than having to sit behind a desk for 8 hours a day with minor breaks (passing periods, lunch, and recess), he can take multiple breaks as needed during his satellite days. Additionally, he has learned his favorite spots to work. Sometimes it’s the dining room table, other times it’s the trampoline, back porch, couch, or his bed. It doesn’t matter! As long as the work gets done.

Finally, our lives have been much simpler since the transition. Our kids can be kids without the afterschool hustle of squeezing in homework and extracurricular activities. We can schedule doctor’s appointments during the day (on satellite days), have four-day weekends as a family, and have more flexibility in scheduling trips. We also eliminated the daily craziness of early mornings, lunch packing, and carlines.

We’ve gained all of this, while confidently knowing that Levi is receiving a fantastic educational experience from very dedicated, caring, and highly qualified teachers.

Aside from our experiences with Levi, we also had Titus at the UM for one year. He loved it and did as well as I expected he would!

One primary difference between those two is that one is a major extrovert and the other is a textbook introvert. Both THRIVED!

As a matter of fact, I heard from a fellow co-teacher who homeschooled her children until they each reached 5th grade. She said that her extroverts preferred being homeschooled, and the introverts preferred attending a UM school.

The reason? Because her extroverts could CHOOSE their friends, and they could hang out quite often. Being homeschooled, they had that option. The introverts preferred attending a UM school because they didn’t have the pressure of making friends. They had several people in their class, and they could choose if they wanted to be friends with them or just be “present” in the class and not talk to them again once they went home.

Pretty cool, isn’t it?!

For us and so many other families, the University-Model® has been as close to a perfect schooling experience. The parents aren’t fully responsible to dig through appropriate curriculum and teach advanced classes, but they still have the desired time with their children. Students can do schooling with their peers in a regular classroom setting and have a full school experience (most UM schools offer competitive sports, theater, choir, and various clubs), but also have more time with their families.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Although this model won’t work for every home, ALL PARENTS should explore ways to keep life simple while their kids are of school age by limiting options.

1. Choose one sport

I know this can be difficult when you have a star athlete that can play every sport. However, weeknight practices can be tiring for the child (and the siblings, and the parents…) It also limits their time together. It prevents family dinners. It can disrupt their sleep routine. All these things are important for their development, particularly during key developmental stages. Limiting their option to one sport per season is one way to prevent these disruptors.

2. Minimize toys

I’ve read lots of minimalist books. One of my favorites is Clutterfree with Kids by Joshua Becker. Primarily because Joshua is a dad. Only dads (and moms) really understand the number of toys that fill a home. In general, however, minimalists preach about creativity flourishing from “less.” Clean out toys often. In fact, teach your children the beauty of donating toys. Find a local shelter or mission center and take trips there often. Get your kids involved in the process of giving and the joy of receiving!

3. Create screen time boundaries

This is a huge one. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests a limit of 2 hours of screen time per day for kids (particularly ages 6-12). It is also suggested by AAP that older kids have boundaries with their screens. Obesity, sexting, and cyberbullying are all on the rise. Our kids NEED us to teach them appropriate online behaviors. Beyond the mental, physical, and emotional health of our children, spending quality time with them is exceptionally important for a strong parent-child bond. Don’t let your kid spend 8+ hours away from you at school, and then 4+ hours in front of a screen. Befriend them. Engage in their interests. Have fun with them! Soon enough, they’ll be off to college.

4. Simplify their closet

Have you ever noticed that Steve Jobs was always pictured in jeans and a black turtleneck shirt? He wanted to save his creativity for Apple. He kept his options super brief. In turn, I’d say he was a pretty creative fellow, and that most of the world is reaping from his creativity even after his death. I know that NO KID WILL EVER want to wear the same outfit every day. That’s obviously not my point here. But I do believe that parents can help kids’ mornings go smoother by simplifying their clothes options, so they can use their energy elsewhere.

Less is more

Overall, this is the motto. Less distractions = more time with your child. Whether you find a UM school to participate in or decide to homeschool altogether (which is our current state after our schedules could no longer accommodate UM school assignments and schedules for various reasons), be mindful of how you use your time with your child because it's quite limited. Use it wisely!

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**HEY THERE! I’M DR. CAGLE… DO YOU NEED HELP WITH CREATING GREAT HABITS???**

Parenting is hard work. It requires tons of boundaries, daily consistency, so much awareness, as well as lots of patience, grace, wisdom, and filters. Combine that hefty list with all of life’s demands and others’ voice may become louder than yours in your child’s life, increasing their anxiety, fears, and doubts.
Healthy parenting is about seeing yourself as your child’s #1 teacher, saying the right words (or nothing at all) at the right time, and having the right tools to be intentional and impactful. Guessing your way through life, which is what most parents do, is a recipe for failure, but following the lead of someone who has two decades of research-based information and fully understands the demands of parenthood is a recipe for a full life— for you and your child.
With a PhD in education, I’m here to teach you how to use daily moments are learning opportunities so you raise confident and competent lifelong learners that thrive in an ever-changing world.
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Non-Traditional Education and University-Model Schools