Guidepost Academy Virtual School
Discover your individual path to excellence
We are a Montessori-inspired online private middle and high school. We deliver a powerful education for independence to develop curious, self-motivated adolescents who thrive in school and in life. Address: 10 Orchard Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630. Phone: (714) 709-8598. E-mail: virtual-admissions@thoughtandindustry.com
Welcome to the future of middle and high school education!
Study anytime, from anywhere!
Guidepost Academy Virtual School's middle and high school program is unique: a deliberately planned and charted curriculum of foundational skills that open a greater and greater number of possible paths. Our students don’t just memorize—they understand, apply, and integrate knowledge to pursue their own passions!
Study anytime, from anywhere!
Guidepost Academy Virtual School's middle and high school program is unique: a deliberately planned and charted curriculum of foundational skills that open a greater and greater number of possible paths. Our students don’t just memorize—they understand, apply, and integrate knowledge to pursue their own passions!
What kind of student is a good fit for Guidepost Academy Virtual School?
Why Choose Guidepost Academy Virtual School?
Academic Rigor for the Real World
Students are challenged and get the preparation they need to be successful in school and life. Our graduates go on to college, create their own companies, and become global citizens.
Students are challenged and get the preparation they need to be successful in school and life. Our graduates go on to college, create their own companies, and become global citizens.
We foster a love of learning
Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and we help students discover their own love of learning and watch as it motivates them to expand their knowledge.
Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and we help students discover their own love of learning and watch as it motivates them to expand their knowledge.
Intentionally Small Classes
At Guidepost Academy Virtual School, we choose to have small class sizes because we believe that is the best way to give students the personalized attention – through our unique teaching and coaching structure – that they need to grow and explore.
In a small school community, our students learn and practice self-governance, interdependence, and conflict resolution, gaining a sense of ownership and pride for the community around them.
At Guidepost Academy Virtual School, we choose to have small class sizes because we believe that is the best way to give students the personalized attention – through our unique teaching and coaching structure – that they need to grow and explore.
In a small school community, our students learn and practice self-governance, interdependence, and conflict resolution, gaining a sense of ownership and pride for the community around them.
Learn by doing, not by lecturing
Our Montessori-inspired learning pairs learning academic foundations with real life skill building. Dr. Montessori emphasized that teens should do real work: not just in school, but fully in the world. At Guidepost Academy we remove the artificial barrier between the vocational and the avocational; what's required for class and what's chosen for life.
Our Montessori-inspired learning pairs learning academic foundations with real life skill building. Dr. Montessori emphasized that teens should do real work: not just in school, but fully in the world. At Guidepost Academy we remove the artificial barrier between the vocational and the avocational; what's required for class and what's chosen for life.
One-on-One Coaching
Every Guidepost Academy Virtual School student is paired with a coach who meets one-on-one to help define the student's values, set goals, take risks, and chart their own path. The coaching curriculum has been built by educational experts and psychologists to support the process of self-creation that is so fundamental to adolescence. The coaching process emphasizes:
Every Guidepost Academy Virtual School student is paired with a coach who meets one-on-one to help define the student's values, set goals, take risks, and chart their own path. The coaching curriculum has been built by educational experts and psychologists to support the process of self-creation that is so fundamental to adolescence. The coaching process emphasizes:
Small school communities, globally connected
Guidepost Academy Virtual School is a tight-knit community that is also connected to a global network, allowing students to learn from industry experts, take part in unique electives, find mentors in your field, and connect with peers around the country and world.
Guidepost Academy Virtual School is a tight-knit community that is also connected to a global network, allowing students to learn from industry experts, take part in unique electives, find mentors in your field, and connect with peers around the country and world.
Arizona Scholarship Account (ESA)
Thousands of Arizona students in Kindergarten through 12th grade are currently eligible for the state-funded ESA, which awards $4,000 – $6,500 annually per student towards private school tuition, home-based education, and other services.
Guidepost Academy is approved by the Arizona Department of Education as a vendor for parents with students who qualify for the Empowerment Scholarship Award. If you are eligible for the ESA program, you can use your funds towards tuition for our in-school and virtual school programs.
Thousands of Arizona students in Kindergarten through 12th grade are currently eligible for the state-funded ESA, which awards $4,000 – $6,500 annually per student towards private school tuition, home-based education, and other services.
Guidepost Academy is approved by the Arizona Department of Education as a vendor for parents with students who qualify for the Empowerment Scholarship Award. If you are eligible for the ESA program, you can use your funds towards tuition for our in-school and virtual school programs.
Guidepost Academy has received accreditation by Cognia™ and WASC, the Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the system and all of its domestic and international schools are accredited, and that Guidepost Academy is recognized across the nation as meeting the Cognia Standards of Quality. ACS WASC accredits elementary and secondary schools; non-degree granting adult schools; and supplementary education programs.
What Parents are Saying
Right from the start, the Guidepost Academy admissions team wanted to talk to my daughters directly — it had nothing to do with me. They wanted to hear about my girls’ dreams, fears, strengths, weaknesses. The program is built around children. When you think about middle school in general, it tends to assume so much control over children and be adult-led. When my daughters had their first day of school, Sarah said, “Mom, these guides trust us. None of my teachers have ever talked to me like I am capable before.”
Jessie B.
Guidepost Academy Virtual School Parent
We are grateful to have found Guidepost Academy. We have now realized that Montessori education is how Anthony should have been taught; it would have alleviated years of frustration in our family. We are confident that Guidepost Academy's model for students to "go confidently in the direction of their dreams and live the life they imagine" is exactly what Anthony needs. We are even more convinced that Guidepost Academy is the answer to our prayers because [Guidepost Academy] joins us in reinforcing the opportunity to hold Anthony accountable for his education.
Alan D.
Guidepost Academy Virtual School Parent
“My son has evolved and matured into an incredible young person as a result of his experience here. Guidepost Academy has created a solid foundation for him during the challenging years of adolescence and we are excited to see where the road takes him next.”
Kim S.
Guidepost Academy Virtual School Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
We charge tuition on a monthly basis during the 10 months the school year is in session. You can find the monthly price displayed on the tuition rate sheet. You’re also locking in the rates that you see displayed for future years.
For Arizona Residents: Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program could provide between $4,000 to $6,500 to pay for private school tuition! Most Arizona families are eligible. Learn more.
Student Outcomes
Guidepost Academy Virtual School’s ultimate goal is to create students who thrive: living happy, fulfilled, and productive lives. We work with each student to identify their own values, set specific goals, and learn how to achieve them. This process gives them a sense of accomplishment, and prepares them for a variety of paths in life.
Many of our students choose to pursue higher education, and to date we have a 100% placement rate for college-bound seniors. In addition to their coach and guides, students work with a full-time, licensed college counselor.
Here is where you will find some of our recent Guidepost Academy graduates:
Guidepost Academy Virtual School’s ultimate goal is to create students who thrive: living happy, fulfilled, and productive lives. We work with each student to identify their own values, set specific goals, and learn how to achieve them. This process gives them a sense of accomplishment, and prepares them for a variety of paths in life.
Many of our students choose to pursue higher education, and to date we have a 100% placement rate for college-bound seniors. In addition to their coach and guides, students work with a full-time, licensed college counselor.
Here is where you will find some of our recent Guidepost Academy graduates:
Meet Guidepost Academy Virtual School's School Leaders and Guides
Our Team
Emma Godwin
Head of School
Erin Whisenant
Assistant Head of School
Summer Evans
Middle School Math Guide
Jeremy Beach
MS Science Guide (East)
Hannah Bradshaw
Middle School & High School Humanities Guide
Jennifer Albrecht-Ayala
MSHumanities Guide (West)
Andrea LejaMeyer
HS World & U.S.History Guide
Sharon Cravanas
ATI College Counselor
Ian Caveny
High School Humanities Guide
Stories from our blog
A parent’s view on virtual high school
Five Reasons I Love ATI Virtual School
Why ATI Virtual School Was Just What These Twins Needed to Succeed
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Guidepost Academy Virtual School is an online school with headquarters located at 10 Orchard Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630.
Guidepost Academy Virtual School is an online school with headquarters located at 10 Orchard Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630.
Experience school on your terms
Join a school community designed to support your education with coaching, small classes, and a commitment to our core values. Engage in deep study and personal exploration as a student at Guidepost Academy.
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