Episode 196: Reimagining Middle School: A Conversation with Sora Co-Founder Garrett Smiley

Episode 196: Reimagining Middle School: A Conversation with Sora Co-Founder Garrett Smiley

Author: The Classical Academies June 17, 2025 Duration: 29:07
The Classical Academies is excited to launch a new virtual middle school program this fall in partnership with Sora. Garrett Smiley, CEO and co-founder of Sora, shares how the program blends project-based learning, real-world problem-solving, and mastery-based assessment to create an engaging and meaningful educational experience. Designed around student agency and curiosity, Sora offers flexible schedules, live classes, personalized check-ins, and in-person enrichment opportunities. Discover how this innovative model builds strong virtual communities, cultivates real-world skills, and offers families a compelling alternative to traditional middle school.

At The Classical Academies Partnering With Parents, we believe a child's education is a shared journey. This isn't about delivering lectures from experts to an audience; it's a conversation built on real experience. Each episode draws from the collective wisdom of our hosts-educators and homeschooling parents who are in the trenches themselves-to explore what it truly means to guide a young learner. You'll hear specific, actionable strategies for creating a rich learning environment at home, alongside candid stories about the challenges and triumphs of taking an active role. The aim is to move beyond theory into the practical realities of teaching, whether you are fully homeschooling or seeking to better support your child within a traditional school setting. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion that reframes education as a collaborative effort, offering reassurance and concrete ideas to help you cultivate curiosity and confidence in your role. This podcast from The Classical Academies serves as a steady resource for anyone committed to being a foundational part of their child's academic and personal growth.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Classical Academies Partnering With Parents
Podcast Episodes
Episode 229: Rethinking Middle School: The Sora Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:09
Sora is a project-based virtual program for students in grades 6-8 that reimagines online learning. Program lead Stephanie Brown shares how Sora combines live instruction, hands-on projects, and a supportive community to…
Episode 228: A Fresh Start to a New Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:09
A new school year brings new routines, new expectations, and a fresh start for students and families. Licensed marriage and family therapist Kara Kohnen shares practical ways parents can help children begin the year feel…
Episode 225: Rebroadcast: Homeschooling as a Working Parent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:08
Rebroadcast of episode 184, Homeschooling as a Working Parent. Originally released December 31, 2024.Balancing a career and homeschooling might seem impossible, but teachers Julie Enzminger and Desirae Heath prove that i…
Episode 221: Raising Independent Teens Without Overstepping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:56
As students transition from middle school to the more independent environment of high school, they need to learn to manage responsibilities and solve problems on their own. While parents naturally want to help their chil…
Episode 220: Writing Across the Curriculum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:41
What if writing weren't a separate subject, but the foundation for all learning? Julie Walker from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) unpacks the power of "writing across the curriculum", an approach that move…