Exploring Brightworks: A Different Kind of Education •
Exploring Brightworks: A Different Kind of Education •
Admissions Steps
At Brightworks, the admissions process is more than forms and deadlines—it’s an opportunity to explore your hopes for your child’s education,
and see how our K–12 programs—including our boutique Micro High—can support their curiosity, creativity, and growth.
We understand that choosing a school that looks nothing like the one you grew up with can be challenging. Many parents come to us with questions about the perceived loss of traditional schooling elements: the loss of a standard curriculum, the loss of memorization-based grades, and the loss of pre-paved pathways to college. At Brightworks, we see these "losses" as profound gains.
We've intentionally traded rigid structure for real-world agency, standardized testing for deep critical thinking, and rote skill drills for integrated, necessity-driven learning. Our model is designed to prepare your child not just for college, but for a future defined by complex, unsolved problems, where the ability to self-direct and collaborate is the ultimate academic asset.
From Curiosity to Co-Authorship
Brightworks offers a K-12 learning environment where students are not vessels to be filled but co-authors of their education. Through our Arc model—Exploration, Expression, and Exposition—students pursue interdisciplinary projects that connect math, science, humanities, and engineering in a meaningful context. When a student designs and builds a functional project, they are driven by necessity to master geometry, physics, and writing skills, ensuring the knowledge sticks. We don't focus on what a student loses from a traditional checklist; we focus on the courage, curiosity, and competence they gain by doing authentic work, failing safely, iterating, and presenting their learning to a real-world audience. We invite you to explore how this approach prioritizes student well-being and cultivates the truly voracious, self-directed learners the modern world demands.
Why Families Choose Brightworks
While our model may challenge traditional assumptions, families consistently choose Brightworks for the powerful, lifelong advantages our unique approach delivers:
Project-Based Learning ~ Curiosity in Action: Hands-on projects connect deep learning with curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity. Students develop and practice numerous tools—from engineering to public speaking—to share their ideas and learning out with the world in authentic, meaningful ways.
Small Classes & Close Community~ Belonging is Fundamental: Every student is known, supported, and encouraged to thrive within a deeply relational environment. The most important byproduct of this close community is that our young people are able to feel good about themselves and comfortable in their own skin, fostering true confidence and resilience.
Personalized Pathways ~ Tailored for Tomorrow: Learning is tailored to each child’s genuine interests and natural pace, ensuring deep engagement. This self-directed mastery prepares our graduates for independent high schools, specialized college programs, or any demanding next step that requires independent thought and ownership.
Family Partnership ~ Learning as a Collaborative Journey: We view education as a collaborative journey. Families are essential partners and collaborators in shaping meaningful, empowering learning experiences, creating a powerful ecosystem of support extending from the schoolhouse to the home.
From Curiosity to Community ~
Your Family’s Path to Brightworks
Step 1: Inquire
Start your journey by submitting an inquiry form. Share a few details about your child and the program you’re interested in—Elementary, Middle, or Micro High. This is your first step in connecting with our admissions team and learning about Brightworks.
You can also learn more about Brightworks through our website, our Instagram and our video.
From our origins to the day-to-day experience, our informational videos walk you through some core facets of the Brightworks experience. Feel free to scan through the videos to get a sense of the curriculum and pedagogical approach of our school.
Step 2: Attend an Open House
Open Houses offer a guided group experience to explore classrooms, meet our team, and see student projects in action. Families can hear directly from current collaborators and parents about what makes Brightworks a vibrant, supportive learning community.
Step 3: Join a Tour
To see the school in action, join us for a group tour. Walk through our campus, visit classrooms, and have your questions answered by the admissions team.
This is your chance to see our project-based approach and close-knit community up close.
Step 4: Apply
Application Deadline: All applications, application fee, and supporting materials for the 2026/2027 school year are due by Thursday, January 15, 2026 at the latest for priority consideration. We love early applications!
Complete the form for your child’s program. Applications include a family section, teacher evaluations, and transcripts for ages 7 and up.
We are supported by the online application system Ravenna and encourage families to sign up for an account and use the online system to track required materials and application status.
Every family is welcome to apply, and should contact us if the application fee presents a hardship for your family. Applications received after spots have been filled will be placed in our wait pool.
Should a spot open during the year, we will reopen the enrollment process and consider wait pool applicants for placement at Brightworks.
Our admissions team is available to guide you through any questions along the way.
Learn about Tuition Assistance
Apply Via Clarity & designate Brightworks as one of your schools
DUE: 1/15/26 for priority consideration.
Brightworks is dedicated to providing need-based tuition assistance where possible. This program currently assists nearly half of our families. Our tuition assistance is reserved for families with demonstrated inability to pay for full tuition. Tuition for the 2025/2026 school year is $43,853.
The Tuition Assistance Application is submitted via a 3rd party platform, Clarity. This tool helps us assess families’ ability to pay for tuition. Please read our Tuition & Aid page for more information.
We also encourage lower-income families applying to private school for the first time to apply for tuition funding through the BASIC fund. Please visit their website for more information.
After we have received your child’s application and supporting materials, we’ll set aside time to get to know one another either!
These steps typically take place in December through February.
Family Conversations
We value dialogue with families. This step includes a conversation with the admissions team to discuss your child’s interests, strengths, and learning goals.
After the application deadline, we will contact applicant families to arrange a conversation with our Admissions Team. These conversations happen over Zoom or in person and typically last 45 minutes. We will be in touch with scheduling information in once the application materials have been completed.
This is a conversation between your family and our team aimed at deepening your understanding of our approach and clarifying our understanding of your needs and aspirations so we can figure out if Brightworks is the right fit for your family.
Student Visits
After applications, we’ll share dates for student visits. These typically take place in February and March and give prospective students an opportunity to see Brightworks in action and families another chance to take an in person tour.
One of our favorite parts of the admissions process is meeting prospective students during a visit to the school in February or March. We email all applicant families with further information and registration information after the January application deadline.
Micro High applicants may also participate in a shadow day to experience a full day of project-based learning. These visits help both your family and Brightworks ensure a strong fit.
Admission Decisions
Admissions decisions are made thoughtfully, based primarily on the family’s and school’s shared vision regarding educational approaches and practices. There is no preference given for the date your application is received, although we do give priority to siblings of current students.
Notice of first round acceptances will be released on March 19, 2026. Enrollment agreements and deposits will be due the following week.
Students to whom we are not able to offer admission will be placed in our wait pool upon request, in case there are fall, winter, or spring admissions openings.
Join the Brightworks Community
Once enrolled, your child becomes part of a community where they are seen, known, and empowered to learn by doing. Families continue as partners, supporting curiosity, creativity, and growth as students navigate the journey from Elementary through Middle School to Micro High.
