Our Mission
Beacon Academy seeks to be a long-lasting community dedicated to nurturing the genius, passions, and potential in each child and parent through excellence in education, leadership, and individualized mentoring.
As a Commonwealth based on the principles of A Thomas Jefferson Education (also known as Leadership Education), we seek to support families as they build on their Core, Love of Learning, and Scholar phases in the home. Our primary focus is on enhancing the Scholar phase through leadership, classical literature, and studying the history of Western Civilization.
Registration is currently full for the coming year. To apply for next year, to register if you are a current member, or for more information, please email Jenni at beaconacademysu at gmail.com
We meet at the True Life Center located at 2111 North Main Street in Cedar City, Utah on Thursdays. Fall semester classes begin August 22 and end December 9. Winter semester classes begin January 9 and end May 8. Tuition for each class is $300 per year.
Junior School Classes
Nursery for ages 0-3 Liberty Girls for girls 8-11
Builders for ages 4-5 Knights of Freedom for boys 8-11
Explorers for ages 6-7
Junior school classes are focused on love of learning, adapting curriculum content to the age of the students in each class. This year junior school will focus on heroes throughout history and principles of leadership and service. In our classes we will use stories, poetry, art, music, and crafts to reiterate the principles of leadership we learn.
Scholar Class Descriptions
MORNING CORE CLASSES
Shield of Freedom Mentors: Deidre Henkel, Shelley Schneider, Loni Beach
This practice scholar class is an opportunity for students to take charge of their own education. The course is centered on the timeless tales of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings, focusing on building integrity and courage through studying the lives and times of Lewis and Tolkien. Throughout the year we will read and discuss Do Hard Things. Students will practice and develop skills in reading, discussing, writing, and presenting. They will also work on projects related to their readings and set goals with a mentor. This is such a fun launch into scholar classes! Ages 11-12
Journey of a Hero Mentors: Tia Fawson, Taylia Bunker, BreeAnna Laub
This is similar to last year's Atlas class, but reimagined! It will include all the things we loved, including exploring the world through great literature, writing, presentations, fun activities, food, and experiences. Journey will have a greater emphasis on building scholar skills one step at a time, individualized mentoring, diving into true principles of leadership and heroic character, and noticing the things we can learn from how challenges are faced by amazing people the world over. Ages 12-13
Our Story: Founding and Framing Freedom Mentors: Kira Johnson, Jenni Rock, BreAn Buckner
This class is very similar to LEMI’s Key of Liberty, where we study the American Revolution, its leadership, and America's founding. Get ready for a fantastic class with a flexible reading list, more simulations, and lots of inspiring activities focused on our nation's founding and leadership. We will be discussing our readings in class, writing papers, memorizing, and giving presentations. Ages 13-14
Rendezvous with Greatness Mentors: Andrea Barney, Shannon Seright, Mandy Goldthorpe
This is our version of LEMI’s Sword of Freedom, meant to be taken after Our Story. It delves into the history of the Civil War and World Wars I & II. We will build on skills developed in previous scholar classes: reading, discussing, writing papers, presenting in this class, and working of habits of greatness. By completing the first semester requirements you will earn a replica WWII sword!! Age 14-15
Compass of Truth Mentors: Lou Anne Randall, Rachelle Howard, Darla Jones, Angela Adair
In line with our mission, our primary focus is on enhancing the Scholar phase through leadership, classical literature, and studying the history of Western Civilization. This year we will learn about early modern history including the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe, the Age of Exploration, the Revolutions, and Napolean's conquests. Studying writings of great minds of the period and great literature, we will seek to understand principles that have governed people and civilizations. There will be opportunities to learn through reading, writing, discussing, creating projects, and participating in simulations. Each student will work with a mentor to set goals and select projects to further their individual education. At the end of the year each student will present a prepared, memorized speech about truths they have learned in their studies. Ages 15-18
AFTERNOON SCHOLAR CLASSES
Adventures in Shakespeare Mentors: Melanie Petersen, Toni Petersen, Loni Beach
This is a leadership class we encourage every student to take! We take on the challenge of studying Shakespeare. In the first semester, we study 3 plays, memorize quotes, give presentations, and get out of our comfort zone playing theater games. Students also read, listen to, and/or watch 15 plays independently. The second semester is devoted to learning lines, rehearsing, and putting on a play. This experience is transformative! The play will be put on at the end of the school year (April or May) and involves a final tech week that will take over your life for a while, but it will be something your kids will talk about and remember for the rest of their lives!! Ages 12-13
Dad School Mentors: various dads from our commonwealth
This will be a variety of Commonwealth dads sharing their passions for learning and growth. This class may include lessons and experiences in the following topics and perhaps more: Preserving food, Butchering, Swing dancing, Leadership, Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Starting Your Own Business, Family History Story-Booking, Architecture, Graphic Design, Web Development, Photography, Bitcoin, The Power of Positive Thinking, Woodworking, etc. Ages 12+
Advanced Acting Supervising Mentor: Lou Anne Randall
Let your inner thespian come forth! Join your fellow actors to perform a play (not Shakespeare!). Class will begin with auditions, consist of rehearsals, and culminate in the play. This class will have a supervising mentor but will be run by older scholars. All students will have responsibilities in preparing for and putting on a play, including directing, finding costumes, memorizing parts, collecting props, building a set, etc. Age 14+
