How We Do School

In this episode of the Farm & Forge Podcast, we pull back the curtain on how we do school — and why it looks nothing like the traditional model. Joined by our lovely teachers, we walk through what a real day looks like for students at Farm & Forge, how online academics and in-person support work together, and why personalization is at the center of everything we do. This conversation is for parents rethinking education, educators curious about alternative models, and families searching for an environment where students don’t just do school — they own it. #ForgeIn 00:00 Introduction 00:30 “How We Do School” 01:06 Why This Model Is So Different 05:15 Hands-On Learning in an Online Model 08:27 Passion-Based Education Explained 09:56 Building STEM, Coding, and Future Skills 10:51 What a Typical Day Looks Like 13:45 Balancing Academics and Athletics 15:19 Travel, Absences, and Real-Life Flexibility 18:22 Student Ownership and Self-Motivation 21:09 Preparing Students for College Independence 22:15 Playing Sports at Local Public Schools 23:19 College Admissions, Merit, and Opportunity 24:30 Why Teachers Took the Risk 25:37 Challenges of Teaching in This Model 27:00 Test Prep 29:03 Meaningful Assessment (No Busywork) 33:34 Using AI as a Tool—Not a Crutch 35:30 What Kind of Student Thrives Here 38:58 Online School Partnerships Explained 40:39 Stories That Define the Culture 44:12 Keeping Kids Excited About School 45:25 Community, Leadership, and Belonging 49:23 Closing Thoughts