Kindergarten & 1st Grade at Apt Academy

A Strong Start Rooted in Faith, Character, and Purpose

At Apt Academy, early education is about more than learning letters and numbers; it’s about building character, confidence, and a love of learning from the start.

Our program is grounded in traditional Christian values, including:

Kindness and mutual respect
Personal responsibility and accountability
Discipline and structure
Clear communication
A safe, supportive learning environment
Peer interaction rooted in respect and cooperation

We’ve worked to create a classroom where young students feel secure, expectations are clear, and both learning and discovery can happen free from outside distractions.

For many students, early educational experiences shape their educational futures. Many families realize, during these years, that public school classrooms may not provide the environment or values they want for their child. Apt Academy offers an alternative: a thoughtful, structured alternative where education and your child remain the focus.

A Personalized Early Education Experience Designed for Young Learners

Early education is where a child’s learning journey truly begins.

Our kindergarten and first grade program is designed to:

Nurture curiosity
Build a strong academic foundation
Help students discover a love for learning

Unlike public school classrooms that move every student at the same pace, our approach functions similarly to a homeschool pod supported by experienced teachers.

Each student will receive:

Personalized instruction based on readiness and ability
Individual attention in a small classroom setting
Opportunities to learn alongside peers in a supportive, education-focused community

For families exploring homeschool support or an alternative to homeschooling in Canby, Apt Academy provides a structured, values-aligned environment for students who benefit from both flexibility and guidance.

A Classroom Designed for Curious Minds

Our kindergarten and 1st grade classroom blends structure, creativity, and exploration to support the ways young children naturally learn. Students will develop academic skills while also building:

Social confidence
Independence
A supportive Christian community
A positive relationship with learning

Daily activities combine:

Hands-on learning
Creative play and discovery
Guided instruction
Collaborative activities with peers
Outdoor exploration and movement

Because our classes remain small, instruction adapts in real-time so students can move at their own pace while still receiving the support they need. The result? A classroom that feels both structured and natural, where children stay engaged and excited to learn and explore their interests.

Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Learning

Kindergarten and first grade are critical years for developing core academic skills. At Apt Academy, students are introduced to reading, writing, problem-solving, and math in ways that are both accessible and engaging. Kindergarten students learn:

Letter recognition (uppercase and lowercase)
Letter sounds and early phonics (the building blocks to reading)
Sight words and early reading skills
Counting and number recognition
Introduction to addition and subtraction
Early writing and sentence formation

First-grade students learn:

Reading simple books independently and building comprehension
Writing complete sentences and short paragraphs
Addition and subtraction within 20
Understanding place value (ones and tens)
Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s
Solving simple word problems
Telling time to the half hour (analog and digital) and using calendars

Because our educational program is personalized, students can progress based on readiness and mastery, rather than being limited by rigid classroom pacing. Students are then able to build both confidence and competence as they grow!

Administration

The program administrator oversees the daily operations of Apt Academy’s education program, ensuring academic alignment, homeschool compliance, and strong communication between teachers and families. This role supports both instructional quality and the overall student experience.

Mrs. Jacobsen

Program Administrator

Karen Jacobsen was born and raised in Sandy Utah. She has an older brother and a twin sister. In Highschool and college Karen was active in her church and was a camp and youth counselor for several years. Additionally, she went to Russia on two occasions to help run a two-week sport and bible camp for orphans in Yoshkar-Ola

Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts from Utah State University where she graduated in 2004. Shortly after graduating she moved to Oregon where she started her career in banking. When she left the banking industry in 2023, she was a compliance officer for a local credit union. She is now happily the Administrator for Apt Academy and is excited to help in the growth and development of the students.

Karen enjoys spending time with her children, who are students of the academy, her husband and their French Bulldog.

Learning Through Creativity, Play, and Exploration

Young children learn best by doing. Our kindergarten and first-grade program integrates academic learning with creativity, exploration, and hands-on discovery. Students regularly engage in:

Art, painting, and drawing
Outdoor play and nature exploration
Reading and storytelling
Writing and creative expression
Collaborative play and group activities

Through these activities, students also develop critical social and life skills like:

Sharing and cooperation
Problem-solving (independently and in groups)
Communication
Respect for others
Community building

A balance of structure and exploration helps students build both academic skills and strong character.

Support for Every Student's Learning Style

Every child learns differently, and early education should reflect that. Our kindergarten and first-grade program is designed to support a wide range of learners, including students who:

Need more individualized attention
Specific subject support
Flexible pacing
Deeper engagement or added challenges

At Apt Academy, students benefit from:

Small class sizes
Individualized instruction from experienced teachers
Flexible pacing based on readiness and ability
Opportunities to explore topics of interest
A supportive peer community

For many families facing homeschooling challenges, Apt Academy offers the best of both worlds: the flexibility and personalization of homeschooling combined with the guidance of certified educators.

A Traditional Christian Homeschool Alternative for Families in Canby, Oregon

Many families come to Apt Academy because traditional schools are not meeting their child’s needs. Our K-12 education program provides an alternative. We are a small, Christian, community-focused learning environment. If you’re searching for:

A homeschool pod or homeschool support
Alternatives to standard education and public schools
A more personalized educational program
A community to support your student

Apt Academy may be exactly what your family has been looking for.

Discover the Apt Academy Difference

We invite families to see our classrooms, meet our teachers, and learn more about how our personalized education program supports students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

About

Mrs. Klady Burke joins Apt Academy with over seven years experience in education, including a focus on specialized education. She is passionate about creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for all students. She believes every child has the ability to succeed and reach their full potential. Over the years she has learned how to meet each student where they are, and use their unique strengths to help them succeed. Her approach is centered on setting high expectations and providing the support and encouragement needed to help each child thrive academically and personally.

Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and going on adventures with her husband and their Golden Retriever.

The K-1 Classroom

Students in K-1 engage in creative play, art, time out doors exploring nature in addition to learning their letters (capital and lower case) and letter sounds. They are reading or read to every day. K-1 students learn to count, and simple addition and subtraction. Students also engage in play with each other, learning to establish rules of play, and sharing.

K-1 Will Learn

K-1 Will Do

Photos From our Classroom

Learn More About Apt Academy

email: admin@aptacademy.org

call: 503-266-1505