Elements Academy Incorporated is a nonprofit organization - committed to making the world a more connected place - one heart at a time.
Imagine a world in which:
Children love school because they feel safe and comfortable enough to explore who they are
Children learn in a way that works for them - it fits their style, pace, and personality - so they can become the best version of themselves
Families are able to prioritize mental health & social/emotional wellness
Children and families feel connected - to themselves, to each other, and to the world
This is our vision - won’t you join us?
MISSION STATEMENT
Elements Academy is a nonprofit PreK-12 Microschool and Family Wellness Community for curious and creative children and families.
The Microschool provides customized learning to every student in a home-away-from-home environment - embracing individuality, uncovering strengths & passions, and prioritizing connection - because who we are matters more than what we know.
The Family Wellness Community provides support, education, and opportunities for families who want to feel more connected - to themselves, their families, each other, and the world. Through curiosity, creativity, and compassion, we help each person reach their full potential because the world needs this now more than ever.
CORE VALUES
Safety: Physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness are all equally prioritized
Individuality: Explore and embrace unique differences - customized learning, individualized support , authentic connection
diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging: not as buzz words, but through daily practiceConnection: Building the sense of belonging - connecting to ourselves; to each other; to the world - building trust, confidence, and intuition for heart-based connection
A message from Elements’ Founding Director
This school was founded because I saw my daughter begin to fade into compliance with societal conditioning - learning to sit still, be quiet, and (literally) fall in line.
I knew this was common in school systems - I had tried (desperately) to keep the spark alive in hundreds of children throughout my years as a public school special educator. But something about seeing it happen in my own children lit the fire within me to build something better.
I will always be an advocate for change in public education AND I am unwilling to wait at the expense of the children who need something different right now.
-Heather DiNino, Founding Director
Entrepreneurship is like jumping out of a plane and building the parachute on the way down. Luckily that’s just a metaphor :)
The History of Elements Academy:
2019 - Filed LLC for Rising Tides: an Acton Academy (the FIRST Acton Academy in Massachusetts!)
2020 - Became an approved private school for grades PreK-5 (Quincy School Committee and DESE); began our first school year (yes, what a year to start a school) with 12 students ages 3-10
2021 - Left the Acton Academy network due to philosophical differences; began the process of Elements Academy, Incorporated as a nonprofit organization; grew to PreK-12 (the only PreK-12 private school in Quincy!)
2022 - Began offering family wellness classes, groups, and events to serve the community beyond our private school families
2023 - Moved to Braintree, MA (over 7,000 square feet!) and (another) private school approval (grades PreK-12) via Braintree School Committee
What a whirlwind - now in our fourth school year, we have never felt better. We can’t wait to see what this timeline continues to evolve into!
INAUGURAL BOARD MEMBERS
Heather DiNino (she/her), founding director - President
Mary Romano (she/her), accountant - Treasurer
Abigail Roughton (she/her), attorney - Secretary
Elements Academy is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tax ID: 87-3960951
We’re actively looking to grow our board - please complete this quick form 👇 if you’re interested!