Synergy SpeedLab and our partners are incredibly excited to announce that we are taking the NEXT BIG STEP towards fulfilling our mission TO INSPIRE and TO INVEST IN the NEXT GENERATION of LEADERS in MOTORSPORTS. 

 

In the Fall of 2023, we began a  partnership with Skipstone Academy, an accredited K-12th private Christian Academy in Griffin, Georgia to launch SPEED-U, a Strategic Program for Experiential Education - Designed for You! 

 

SPEED-U is a one-of-a-kind, self-paced program specifically designed to offer a high quality, fully accredited 6th-12th grade education for young race car drivers along with the flexibility their families need to THRIVE in the chaotic world of full time racing. 

 

For 16 years, Skipstone Academy has served thousands of students successfully through their hands-on, project based, experiential approach to education. Known as one of the most unique and creative private schools in the Southeast, they now serve over 600 students on two campuses and have a waiting list in excess of 2000 students. 

 

The founders of Skipstone Academy, Chip and Shondi Moody, raced full time with their children in the early 90’s and know all too well how challenging (and sometimes exasperating!) it can be to do racing life within the confines of traditional education models. To answer these challenges, Skipstone Academy  has developed an accredited, experiential educational program tailor made for young race car drivers called SPEED-U (Specially Designed Experiential Education - Designed for You). 

 

Our team has spent the last year working, researching and bringing this part of the vision to life and we couldn’t be more excited that SPEED-U has finally LAUNCHED!

 

 

What is SPEED-U? 

SPEED-U is fully online learning experience with high quality academic instruction using standards-based curriculum in a flexible program designed specifically for young race car drivers.

 

Students will enjoy online classes led by qualified and engaging teachers as well as personal interaction and instruction by SPEED-U Staff.  

 

SPEED-U utilizes Power Homeschool for some classes, which allows students to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. When a student struggles, the system provides additional instruction and practice as needed. When a student excels, the system quickly moves them forward as they demonstrate mastery of each concept. The content includes:

•            Video-based lessons

•            Interactive practice problems

•            Help videos for difficult concepts

•            Reviews & exams

•            Memorization drills

•            Digital books

 

In addition to Power Homeschool, members of the innovative team at Skipstone Academy will be adding their own supplemental enhancements and will provide academic oversight and accountability through Google Classroom. This allows SPEED-U students to receive a fully accredited education through Skipstone Academy, including traditional graduation, honors programs, scholarship opportunities, etc. 

 

The SPEED-U Staff will also be planning amazing opportunities for our young race car drivers to engage with and learn from the leaders of our sport, from the local racing scene all the way to the top series, including the development of internship opportunities in the various aspects of motorsports.  

 

Student life will consist of weekly scheduled class Google Meet meetings with SPEED-U Staff to make sure students are progressing and help them with any concerns, as well as oversight of their online assignments.

 

We are now accepting interest applications for the 2024-2025 school year. To ensure the quality of our program, we will limit enrollment to 50 students.

 

 

 SPEED-U FAQ 

1. Can a SPEED-U student complete their schoolwork on their own schedule or will they need to be logged in at specific times?

 

SPEED-U students can log in at any time and any place to complete their schoolwork at their own pace. The academic classes are set up with a recommended pace to encourage students to stay on track for completion. Students can work ahead or even “catch up” with no penalty. 

 

2. My student struggles in certain areas. How will this affect his/her educational performance with SPEED-U?

 

SPEED-U recognizes that students need to learn in their own specific learning style. This program is a great tool to do just that with visual, auditory and read/write daily lessons as well as kinesthetic (“hands-on”) lessons periodically through “special lessons”. SPEED-U will also be providing “hands-on” learning through scheduled field trips throughout the year. 

 

For those needing remediation, the program has designated “remedial” classes that can be assigned to struggling students who work at a slower pace with additional helps and more intense tutelage. The Skipstone Academy staff will evaluate student records (previous grades, testing) to work with parents to determine the best individualized educational route for each student. 

 

3. Does SPEED-U provide honors classes in High School? 

 

Through the accreditation of Skipstone Academy, SPEED-U will have the ability to provide additional assignments to the curriculum in order to receive the “honors” designation as part of the high school curriculum. Eleventh and twelfth graders (who are eligible) may also dual enroll in on-line college classes through Skipstone’s Accel Program. 

 

4. Will SPEED-U students be required to take state standardized tests?

 

Standardized tests are a requirement for accreditation. During the Spring of each year, SPEED-U students in 3rd-8th grades will take the ITBS and 9th-12th graders will take the Accuplacer. At Skipstone Academy, standardized testing is a litmus test on how we are performing as a whole and it is also an indicator of areas we need to improve both on a collective and individual basis. The data we receive and study from these national tests gives us invaluable feedback on where we should focus in the future and changes that need to be made. (For example, if we see an across the board deficit in vocabulary usage in specific grades, we are able to adjust that area for better coverage in the next school year.) 

 

5. Why should I enroll my student in SPEED-U instead of just homeschooling on my own?

 

Any type of “homeschooling” is a big decision, and each family needs to make the right decision for their circumstances and lifestyle. The biggest challenge for most homeschool parents is motivating and teaching their own child with full content and consistency. 

 

Because SPEED-U is fully accredited and staffed through Skipstone Academy…

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•  You do not have to fill out daily/monthly state/local homeschool reports on your student. 

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• The curriculum has been fully certified to make sure it fulfills all national standards for education for each grade. Power Homeschool has selected expert teachers in their fields to deliver the curriculum in a fun, exciting and “learner-friendly” way. This is especially important during middle and high school as subjects require advanced teaching and knowledge that frankly, many of us do not have (Chemistry, Calculus, etc). The lessons are designed in small segments of class video with short “check-ups” to reinforce comprehension of the subject matter as well as concept assessments for mastery. Every student is capable of navigating and completing lessons on their own while mastering content successfully. 

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• High School students will receive a certified accredited Diploma of Graduation from Skipstone Academy (a fully accredited with quality institution) and would not be relegated to take the GED to graduate as traditional homeschoolers. They will also have an actual graduation ceremony with all of the “pomp and circumstance”. 

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• SPEED-U Staff can curtail student schedules to their areas of interest, especially in middle and high school. For example, if a student has an interest in pursuing a higher education/job in the medical field, SPEED-U staff can develop an accredited schedule of classes that will satisfy educational requirements while allowing the student to take academic classes and electives that will accentuate their learning from a medical standpoint. 

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• SPEED-U staff are fully prepared and available to give support and instruction as needed. Weekly scheduled class meetings through Google Meets will encourage students socially through virtual meetings with other racers and will also give our staff feedback on how students are tracking in their schoolwork so we can address any issues that arise. Students and parents will also have the ability to message staff through Google Classroom for information and additional help. In essence, students will have a “real person” by their side as they navigate through their schoolwork, not just an anonymous “help-line”. 

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• SPEED-U keeps track of all assignments, course mapping, grades and tests. Students will receive quarterly progress reports and report cards each semester. Parents can log in at any time and monitor student progress. Most student assignments provide immediate grade feedback and students can watch their grades in real-time. Students also have the ability to “re-learn” lessons and “re-take” assignments to improve their grade if they desire.

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• SPEED-U students will have the benefit of regularly scheduled field trips that will include both motorsports venues as well as educational venues throughout the year. These trips will be scheduled in conjunction with racing schedules to best facilitate participation. (For example, if the majority of our students will be racing in Charlotte, we will schedule an applicable field trip for that area during that timeframe.) 

 

6. Does my student have to be on a specific racing team in order to participate in SPEED-U?

 

SPEED-U was created for student race car drivers and is open to any racer in 3rd-12th grades. Students do not have to be a part of any specific racing team or group in order to participate in SPEED-U.   

 

7. How much does SPEED-U cost and what additional expenses should I expect throughout the year?

Yearly Expenses

• Matriculation Fee            $500 (due upon acceptance)

• Tuition                              $6000*

• Field trip costs                Will vary and are optional

• Good working laptop     Will vary (Mac or PC, not tablet)

• Graduation Fee               $100 for 12th graders

 

*Tuition must be paid in full by July 1st or paid monthly on a 12 month contract through FACTS Management (tuition collection agency). We do not take in-house monthly payments. 

 

8. I have some questions, how can I get more information about SPEED-U?

• Fill out the Admission Inquiry form above. 

• A SPEED-U staff member will contact you to discuss registration and answer any questions that you might have

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