At Apollo Academy, our Discovery Studio (ages 8–12) is a vibrant, learner-driven environment where curiosity is honored, independence is expected, and growth is measured in more than just academic progress. The goal of this studio is to develop a deep love of learning, strong communication skills, and kindness and accountability in relationships with others. While each day follows a consistent rhythm, the week brings a thoughtful variety of experiences that challenge learners to think deeply, collaborate with purpose, and take ownership of their education.
Mornings Begin with Connection & Curiosity
From 8:00 to 8:30 AM, learners arrive and ease into their day with free play—indoors or outdoors. It’s a relaxed transition that gives space for friendships, creative thinking, and self-regulation before jumping into deeper work. At 8:30 AM, we begin with a Socratic Launch—a short, focused conversation around a character-building or mindset theme. Guides pose open-ended questions like:
- Should leaders always do what’s popular?
- What’s the difference between being kind and being liked?
- Is it okay to fail if you gave it your best?
Learners share perspectives, listen respectfully, and practice civil discourse. They also take on leadership roles like Promise Keeper and Cleaning Captain—building responsibility and ownership within the studio community.
Morning Blocks: Games, Focused Work & Self-Direction
From 8:50–10:20 AM, the morning block offers a mix of play-based learning and focused academic time:
- Mondays & Fridays: Begin with Tribe Games—team-building activities that build collaboration, communication, and joy.
- Tuesdays–Thursdays: Begin with Core Skills Games—playful activities that reinforce fluency in math and literacy.
Next is Core Skills Work—an uninterrupted hour of reading, writing, and math. Learners manage their time, track their goals, and use online adaptive programs to work toward mastery in their foundational skills. This block builds focus, confidence, and agency.
Snack & Outdoor Play
From 10:20 to 10:45 AM, learners take a break to refuel and recharge. They’re welcome to snack whenever they feel hungry, and many choose to keep playing through this time—reflecting the learner-driven flexibility we prioritize. Movement, laughter, and fresh air are essential parts of every day.
Writer’s Workshop & World Exploration
From 10:45–11:45 AM, the focus shifts to creative expression and global awareness:
- Mondays & Fridays: Civilization—story-driven history, cultural exploration, and hands-on challenges that help learners understand the past and present.
- Tuesdays–Thursdays: Writer’s Workshop—anything but traditional, this block is built around fun, fast-paced writing challenges and games. Each session presents a unique genre or prompt-based competition—whether it’s crafting clever stories using an SAT word in “War of the Words,” writing imaginative stories from zany prompts, or tackling technical writing by creating recipes or how-to guides. Learners write to play, compete, and express themselves. The process includes peer review, guided editing, and often culminates in reading work aloud to the group—building voice, confidence, and a strong sense of audience along the way.
The block wraps with a quick clean-up and review before heading into lunch.
Lunch & Outdoor Play
From 12:00–12:45 PM, learners enjoy lunch followed by time outdoors. It’s a chance to reset, get fresh air, and nurture social development through play. These unstructured moments are often just as important as academic ones, giving learners room to relax, explore, and connect.
Afternoons: Quests, Clubs & Collaboration
Each afternoon kicks off with a Launch, preparing learners for hands-on learning that blends science, entrepreneurship, art, engineering, and civic engagement.
- Tues–Thurs: Quest Time (1:00–2:00 PM)—long-term, interdisciplinary projects that promote critical thinking, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. Past quests have included Space Exploration, Entrepreneurship (Launch a Business), Entomology, Road Trip USA, Ancient Athens, and Inventors Fair.
- Mon & Fri: STEAM Clubs—interest-based clubs like Cooking, Forensic Science, Robotics, Pickleball, and Jewelry Making that allow learners to explore hobbies and passions in a fun, hands-on way.
Collaboration & Community Building
2:10–3:10 PM (Tues–Thurs): Collaborative Core Skills is all about learners helping learners. If someone feels stuck on a math problem or needs a fresh set of eyes on their writing, they can grab a buddy and work through it together. Others may choose to dive into their core skills independently, finding their own quiet focus. It’s a time that builds confidence not just in academics, but in communication and collaboration. On Thursdays, the studio gathers for Town Hall—an open circle where learners reflect on the week, give feedback, solve problems and make decisions together to shape the studio they’re building as a community.
Studio Maintenance & Close
Just like Spark, the day ends with Studio Maintenance (3:10–3:20 PM), where learners clean up, organize materials, and take responsibility for their shared environment. This is followed by a Group Close (3:20–3:30 PM), where learners reflect on their day: What went well? What was hard? What am I proud of? These moments of reflection build self-awareness and a strong sense of growth over time.
Outdoor Play & Pickup
From 3:30–4:00 PM, learners enjoy one last round of outdoor fun as parents arrive. It's a joyful way to end the day and continue building friendships and confidence outside the studio walls. Discovery Studio is more than just a classroom—it’s a space where learners build life skills, develop passions, and discover their potential every day.
💡 Want to learn more about how Apollo Academy works? Schedule an intro call here or check out our resources here. You can also find us on Instagram @ApolloAcademyTampa.
