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Health and safety at the Academy of Thought and Industry

Students must feel secure in order to grow and learn, which is why health and safety come first at the Academy of Thought and Industry. We are uncompromisingly committed to exceptionally safe learning environments for all of our students, parents and staff.

Going above and beyond

Our commitment to safety is vetted from the inside out. Our campuses all comply with state licensing and regulatory bodies and are held to industry-leading operational standards through national and international accrediting agencies.

Staff qualifications

Our staff are highly trained in adolescent development, emergency preparedness, and other classroom protocols that uphold a safe learning environment every day.

  • All Guidepost Academy employees are background checked and must pass multiple interviews related to qualifications and prior experience. They must also demonstrate a clear love and respect for working with children and young adults.
  • We extend background checks to applicable outside vendors, ensuring that anyone with regular access to campus is screened.
  • Guidepost Academy staff are CPR and First-Aid certified.
  • We partner with the internationally accredited teacher-training institute, The Prepared Montessorian, to ensure every Guidepost Academy educator has ongoing access to training and professional development.

Campus security

Our campuses are secured 24/7 with restricted access and regularly inspected, enclosed outdoor play spaces. Exits and entrances are monitored, and staff work closely with parents and caregivers for drop off and pickup.

  • Guides supervise students at all times and are trained to immediately respond to any kind of safety incident.
  • All classrooms adhere to required staff-to-student ratios, which vary by location.
  • School teams enforce a strict visitor policy, and every approved guest is escorted by a staff member at all times.
  • We cover all bases with emergency preparedness including fire drills, severe weather drills, shelter-in-place, evacuation plans, and medical emergency care plans.

Health and wellness

We value preventative health measures that actively promote healthier school communities, ensuring families can count on Guidepost Academy as a safe, clean, joyful space where students can thrive.

  • Our staff perform daily wellness checks.
  • Our Campus Illness Policy utilizes best practices for preventing, containing and minimizing spread of common illnesses.
  • We partner with families of children with special health needs to ensure the best, individualized care.
  • Staff adhere to state and local guidelines for proper food handling with snacks and meals.
  • Our environments are regularly cleaned, sanitized, inspected, and our staff work with children to ensure proper hand washing and hygiene.

COVID-19 protocols

Guidepost Academy has been safely and consistently operating its campuses through the COVID-19 pandemic in compliance with the CDC and local health departments. Our COVID response teams have been diligently evaluating the latest evidence and adapting our protocols appropriately. We firmly believe that childcare and education are essential, and we deliver on this need for continuity with both on-campus and virtual options.

Effective July 5, 2021, our campuses have transitioned back to normal Health and Safety protocols, with the exception of some COVID restrictions where local regulations advise. As in-person tours and parent community events resume, unvaccinated individuals are asked to wear face coverings. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear face coverings on campus.