Our Curriculum
Our individualized, inquiry-based curriculum is specifically designed for neurodiverse learners in grades 5-12, balancing rigorous Arizona Common Core academics with socio-emotional learning through project-based learning for middle school and inquiry-based methods for high school, all delivered with our exceptional 8:1 student-teacher ratio. High school students can take college courses with tuition paid by ReThink Microschools and no academic risk, while integrated speech-language therapy and post-graduate programs focusing on job training ensure students are prepared for both academic success and life beyond the classroom.
Our Framework:
Inquiry-Based Learning
Our curriculum empowers neurodiverse students to drive their own learning through questions and exploration tailored to their unique strengths, with our 8:1 student-teacher ratio ensuring personalized support as students become active investigators who develop critical thinking skills through authentic, real-world challenges. This inquiry-based approach seamlessly integrates socio-emotional learning with rigorous academics, preparing high school students for college-level coursework with tuition paid by ReThink Microschools and no academic risk to their transcripts.
Project-Based Approach
Our middle school curriculum engages neurodiverse students in carefully designed projects that connect multiple subject areas through hands-on learning tailored to their individual strengths and interests, with our 8:1 student-teacher ratio ensuring personalized support as students create tangible outcomes while developing both academic and executive functioning skills. This project-based approach seamlessly integrates socio-emotional learning with rigorous academics, building the organizational skills and self-confidence that prepare students for high school inquiry-based learning and eventually college-level coursework with tuition paid by ReThink Microschools.
High-Relevance Curriculum
We prioritize relevance in all aspects of our curriculum, ensuring neurodiverse students engage with content that connects directly to their lived experiences and addresses real-world challenges through our personalized 8:1 student-teacher ratio approach, with middle school students thriving through project-based learning and high school students excelling through inquiry-based methods. As students progress, they can take college courses with tuition paid by ReThink Microschools and no academic risk to their transcripts, with our post-graduate programs providing job training and career exposure that builds directly on the skills developed throughout their ReThink journey.
Standards-Based Framework
While our approach is innovative and personalized for neurodiverse learners, our curriculum maintains rigorous alignment with Arizona Common Core State Standards for math, science, and English Language Arts, delivered through our 8:1 student-teacher ratio and individualized learning approach that ensures students master academic foundations through project-based learning for middle school and inquiry-based methods for high school. High school students demonstrate this mastery by successfully taking college courses at Arizona State University with tuition paid by ReThink Microschools and no academic risk to their transcripts, preparing them for real-world applications throughout their educational journey and beyond.
Supporting Neurodiverse Learners
Our curriculum includes specialized supports for neurodiverse students:
Sensory-Conscious Environment
Our thoughtfully designed learning spaces accommodate diverse sensory needs through flexible seating, purposeful movement opportunities, and dedicated sensory regulation spaces where students can retreat when needed. We provide noise-reduction options for sound-sensitive learners and strategically placed visual supports to enhance understanding and reduce anxiety. Through our 8:1 student-teacher ratio, each student's sensory preferences are recognized and supported, creating an environment where different minds can focus, learn, and thrive without sensory overwhelm.
Executive Functioning Support
Our curriculum includes explicit instruction in organization and planning skills through visual schedules, clear routines, and time management tools that help neurodiverse students navigate their day with confidence and independence. Task breakdown techniques teach students to approach complex projects systematically, while our 8:1 student-teacher ratio ensures personalized support in developing these crucial executive functioning skills. This builds the organizational foundation students need to succeed in college coursework and future career opportunities.
Social-Emotional Learning
Our dedicated social-emotional curriculum addresses the specific social skills neurodiverse students need to build meaningful relationships and navigate social situations successfully. Collaborative projects include built-in social scaffolding that supports peer interaction, while emotional regulation strategies are integrated throughout each day to help students recognize and manage their emotions effectively. Through our 8:1 student-teacher ratio, each student receives individualized support in developing the social confidence and emotional intelligence needed for college, career, and independent living.
Personalized Learning Paths
IIndividual learning profiles guide all instruction, ensuring each neurodiverse student's unique strengths, interests, and learning style drive their educational journey and academic progress. Our strengths-based approach builds confidence while addressing areas for growth through methods that honor each student's neurodivergent perspective, with multiple modalities for demonstrating understanding so every student can showcase their knowledge in ways that work best for them. Through our 8:1 student-teacher ratio and adaptive pacing based on individual needs, each student receives the personalized attention necessary to unlock their extraordinary potential and prepare for future academic and career success.
A Typical Day at ReThink Microschools
While every day brings new adventures in learning, our schedule provides the predictable structure neurodiverse learners often need:
Start: 8:00 AM | End: 2:55 PM
8:00 AM- 9:00 AM | Core Skills Block 1: Foundational Math & English (60 minutes) Targeted math instruction with 8:1 ratio
9:00 AM- 9:15 AM | Morning Meeting (15 minutes) Community building, schedule review, and mindfulness practice
9:20 AM - 10:20 AM | Academic Instruction Block 1 (60 minutes) Targeted instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics with differentiated small groups
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM | Academic Instruction Block 2 (60 minutes) Targeted instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics with differentiated small groups
11:20 AM - 11:30 AM | Movement & Regulation Break (10 minutes) Mid-morning sensory reset
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM (30 minutes) Lunch
12:00 PM - 12:10 PM | Movement & Regulation Break (10 minutes) Afternoon sensory reset
12:10 PM - 1:10 PM | Academic Instruction Block 3 (60 minutes) Targeted instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics with differentiated small groups
12:20 PM - 12:30 PM | Movement & Regulation Break (10 minutes) Afternoon sensory reset
12:30 PM - 1:25 PM | Electives
1:25 PM - 2:20 PM | Electives
2:20 PM - 2:55 PM | Reflection & Planning (35 minutes) Daily reflection on learning and planning for next steps
Assessment Philosophy
At ReThink Microschools, assessment is meaningful, authentic, and supportive of growth for neurodiverse learners through our 8:1 student-teacher ratio and individualized approach that includes portfolio-based documentation, student-led conferences, co-created rubrics, and regular progress monitoring that accommodates diverse learning styles while celebrating both academic and personal growth. This assessment philosophy ensures middle school students thrive through project-based evaluation while high school students excel through inquiry-based demonstrations, preparing them for college courses with tuition paid by ReThink Microschools and developing the self-assessment skills needed for lifelong learning and self-advocacy.
Our Inspirations
Our innovative curriculum draws from progressive educational models specifically adapted for neurodiverse learners in grades 5-12, seamlessly blending project-based learning for middle school students with inquiry-based methods for high school students through our exceptional 8:1 student-teacher ratio with certified staff experienced in neurodivergence, ensuring each student's unique strengths and interests drive their educational journey while integrating socio-emotional learning with rigorous academics. As students progress, they experience seamless integration of speech-language therapy support and opportunities to take college courses at Arizona State University with tuition paid by ReThink Microschools and no academic risk, preparing them for thriving in college, career, and independent living through our comprehensive post-graduate programs.
Our Research Based Curriculum
Join Our Community
ReThink Microschools welcomes families seeking an educational environment where neurodiverse students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We invite you to schedule a visit to see our school in action and discuss how our approach might benefit your child's unique learning journey.
Contact us to learn more about enrollment opportunities and how we might serve your family.