Sora Schools

We love SORA! It has been a blessing for my child who left public school in 2020 due to covid closures. Sora is a family and we feel cared for. The experts are truly experts. They are kind, willing, and able to work with the students. This is a no-stress school and that is important for a lifelong love of learning! The faculty is wonderful too. Always helpful.

Every interaction with Sora, from fact-gathering before applying to the day to day life, has been excellent. The staff works hard with families and individual students' unique situations. The information for parents is presented intuitively and in-depth. My daughter is more engaged in her work than she was at the previous on-site private school. I really appreciate that Sora's curriculum is rigorous, has real-world applications, and is preparing my daughter to be a lifelong learner through developing agency and learning from missteps, trial, and error, and finding it's not the end of the world to make a mistake. The feedback from the teachers is frequent and actionable. My daughter can use the feedback to deepen her understanding of the topics. The socialization is unlike other online schools, there's no isolation factor at Sora. Other families are open to in-person meetings. I wish Sora had been available when I was in school!

Sora is a fantastic place to learn! My girl, the 8th grader, has been enjoying attending this school every day. She says she can focus on studying without school/ girls drama and bullying. The teachers are very flexible and understand each student. Also, they encourage students, who can challenge higher levels, to create some new paths to maximize their abilities. All administration staff are very friendly and supportive so that you will never feel behind or isolated. Students are required good time management skills which is a very important skill in our lives, so learning in Sora is not only good in academics but also a great chance to get very important life skills for our children. Online school is no longer an alternative way. It is becoming one of our children's main choices for learning way now!

Sora Schools has been a transformative experience for our family. Transitioning from homeschooling, we were looking for an educational environment that maintained the same personalized and engaging approach. Sora exceeded our expectations. The school offers a variety of innovative programs that actively involve students, making learning both fun and deeply impactful. What truly sets Sora apart are the incredible teachers who bring project-based learning to life, ensuring each child's educational journey is rich and tailored to their interests. We wholeheartedly recommend Sora Schools to families seeking a nurturing and intellectually stimulating educational environment. It's more than a school; it's a community where young minds thrive.

This is our first year at Sora. Our son has been homeschooled up to this point and was going into the 8th grade. It'd been difficult to find a school that offered a balance of academically challenging but also an engaging and encouraging atmosphere. We felt we weren't able to do an adequate job preparing him for life after school via the homeschool approach and were cautiously optimistic once we found Sora. He probably wasn't quite as optimistic, but after attending a couple of visitation days at the end of his 7th-grade school year, he agreed to give it a try. As I write this on the day before Thanksgiving, the results have been incredible to this point. As parents, we have been extremely impressed with the level of engagement and communication from the school. we are very impressed with how well thought out everything has been. They always seem to be ahead of things and do an incredible job. They consistently ask for feedback on ways to improve, but I honestly struggle to provide much. Maybe once we're here longer some things will come up, but to this point, it simply continues to exceed my expectations. Our parents only matter so far tough, what really matters is his opinion and how the education aspect is going. In that regard, it has also exceeded expectations. He was certain that at best he might enjoy a class or two, but to this point, he has enjoyed nearly all of it. It's challenging, but he's not loaded down with as much homework as his friends at other schools. He's enjoyed all of the experts (teachers) that he's had and they've all been very engaging and available when he has questions or needs help. The most amazing thing is seeing how little resistance there is on his part. The first day he chose to not engage and tried to check out via YouTube. We had a talk that evening and YouTube access was removed for the next day. That left him no option other than to engage with the class. That first day was the last day that I felt any significant reluctance on his part. I hope this helps another parent who is hoping to find a place where their child can be themselves, grow, and experience a fantastic education experience.

Although we are very new to Sora, we are finding it to be just what we had hoped for in a high school for our students. We came from a private Montessori school that used a project/mastery-based curriculum. We had feared we would not be able to find a similar learning experience as we entered into the high school years, and then we found Sora. We believe this school will help our student continue his path in learning how to think, not what to think. He will continue to learn problem-solving and life skills, rather than simply memorizing and testing. We had some concerns about possible feelings of isolation while transitioning from in-person to online schooling, but those quickly went away. Our student has made some great friendships and connections already. The staff and families at Sora do a great job at creating opportunities for building the Sora community. We look forward to continuing with Sora and all it has to offer for our child's growth, both personally and academically.

Sora is a welcoming and supportive environment for students' growth both academically and personally. My daughter is neurodivergent and has always struggled in the traditional school structure. Even though she has always tested in top percentile, she struggled to focus while in class and complete assignments, which lead to a severe drop in confidence. The Sora environment has allowed my daughter to renew her interest in learning and regain self-confidence as a student. The teachers are accessible and provide feedback that guide learning instead of just providing grades. Their classroom time is spent in engaging learning opportunities and discussion and not just completing busy work. I feel that the approach to learning at Sora is helping to prepare her for college and life without the anxiety of the traditional school approach. Sora is a safe place for kids to try and fail but then learn how to rebound. Somehow Sora not only manages to build an amazing online student environment but also extends that enthusiasm to the whole family. Sora truly feels like a community. We feel blessed to have found them.

Rating 5 out of 5 Our 14-year-old son has attended several schools in the past ranging from a free-range Sudbury School model, to homeschool/unschool , private liberal arts boarding school to a short stint at our local public high school. None can compare with Sora! We were tearing our hair out looking for an alternative solution and we had a "eureka" moment when my wife found Sora Schools during a late-night google search session. Our son LOVES Sora. He is thoroughly engaged in this exciting and innovative learning process, making new friends, thriving during his "expeditions" and motivated in a way we had only dreamed. In fact he is already taking his recently refound sense of sovereignty out of the classroom into our local community where he has started a campaign for a public skate park- this project will also earn him credits at Sora with mentorship from his school advisors! Brava to Sora Schools for offering this incredible (and fully accredited) educational alternative to families. Freshman 23 days ago Overall ExperienceReportReview Sora SchoolsRating 5 out of 5 My child has been having a great experience at Sora. It's an online school but there is a strong culture of community that the administrators work hard every day to foster. We love the fact that most of the classes are taught in an interdisciplinary fashion, emphasize mastery over letter grades, and are attuned to students' interests, yet also manage to keep an eye on ensuring that students are exposed to a wide range of subjects and are ready for college when they graduate. We also appreciate that the school has partnered with another organization to make flexible in-person learning opportunities possible. If your student is a strong independent learner and wants a high degree of agency over how and what they learn, then you should definitely check out Sora!

Our 14-year-old son has attended several schools in the past ranging from a free-range Sudbury School model, to homeschool/unschool , private liberal arts boarding school to a short stint at our local public high school. None can compare with Sora! We were tearing our hair out looking for an alternative solution and we had a "eureka" moment when my wife found Sora Schools during a late-night Google search session. Our son LOVES Sora. He is thoroughly engaged in this exciting and innovative learning process, making new friends, thriving during his "expeditions" and motivated in a way we had only dreamed. In fact, he is already taking his recently refound sense of sovereignty out of the classroom into our local community where he has started a campaign for a public skate park- this project will also earn him credits at Sora with mentorship from his school advisors! Brava to Sora Schools for offering this incredible (and fully accredited) educational alternative to families.

My daughter struggled in her public middle school. She went from a straight-A student to a D student because she stopped turning in homework and felt like her teachers didn't care about anything she did or whether she was learning anything. The fact that her school didn't notice any problem essentially confirmed her view. Sora has turned her around. She loves the expeditions, the teacher engagement, the creativity to truly learn and question topics at a deep level when she is interested, and the fact that everyone at Sora is really aiming to make this an experience that helps her grow. She no longer feels like a test score that is part of an impersonal system. So far, she has completed nearly a year of German (a language no one in our family speaks), written a protest song about the negative impacts of social media on her generation, and designed a tourist experience for a living Pompeii that incorporates HS Geometry principles.

Sora is a wonderful school. My child has been pushed to excel and do her absolute best. The advisors are incredibly helpful, and always willing to help explain the tasks and projects more in depth during office hours. Anytime we have had any questions or issues regarding technical difficulties and or concerns the staff have responded immediately. The expeditions (classes) are unique and keep the students engaged. The students are encouraged to speak up and share their input and opinions on the subject matter. The hardest part we have had was time management. The curriculum schedule and due dates are similar to college. Which although a little difficult for her to get the hang of has been a wonderful opportunity for her to learn! Overall we are happy to have given Sora a chance for our daughter's education. This is our first year and hope to continue through the rest of her high school years.

Our son started Sora this year as a high school freshman. He's experienced both virtual and in-person school before Sora and has always been a good student, but he's introverted and wasn't looking forward to the social hustle and bustle of in-person high school. As parents, we were worried about his safety. After researching a lot of different virtual schools, we found Sora. Their project-based approach to education has created a learning environment that our son is consistently engaged in. He's learning how to effectively manage his time and is gaining new critical thinking skills. All that spills over into amazingly interesting conversations we have with him about subjects he's passionate about. He's made new friends and is participating in the high school experience in ways he has never expressed an interest in before. Also, Sora's staff have been incredibly supportive through the transition and have fostered a wonderfully interactive community for both students and parents.

As a parent of twin middle schoolers enrolled at Sora Schools, I am excited to share our experience with this forward-thinking educational institution. The school's mission to redefine education aligns perfectly with our vision for our children's growth and development. Sora not only encourages students to take charge of their learning journey but also provides them with the guidance and support needed to flourish. The experts' dedication to fostering meaningful relationships and the school's emphasis on practical, future-oriented learning make Sora Schools an exceptional choice for parents who are concerned about how traditional schools will prepare their children for an ever-changing world. We eagerly anticipate the continued growth and development of our children in this empowering educational environment.

By far the level of communication Sora has demonstrated and continues to do on a daily is like no other! They are beyond proactive in listening AND implementing ideas people bring forth! They are so engaging and truly want the best for your child and parent. Even when a problem arises, before you can bring it to light, they are on it, and actively solving, it by watching what kids say/do online. They are like twinkle technology fairies! So happy to have been introduced to Sora!

Our family is... different. My husband and I are both entrepreneurs, which pretty much by definition means that we think outside the box. Upon discussing the idea of traveling as a family full-time, we began looking at virtual school options for our oldest daughter. She's a very social creature and frankly was thriving in a "normal" school environment, so while her dad was thrilled with Sora immediately, I was more cautious. We went to every prospective parent meeting. We met with admissions privately. We met the Head of School. I asked a million questions. Ultimately we enrolled our daughter in Sora and since that decision was made I haven't stopped being impressed. The onboarding process was better than seamless; the school thought of things I wouldn't even think of, leaving no questions unanswered. Sora's ability to grow a community that feels like a family online is extremely valuable, especially to our very outgoing family. There are social opportunities to connect daily for students, and weekly/monthly for parents, with the flexibility to lean in or out as needed. Most importantly, the academic philosophy of this school is an outstanding contrast to what's happening in most traditional schools today. My daughter has learned technical skills that will put her above her peers. She has the ability to participate in multi-disciplinary expeditions that go well beyond memorization and worksheets; and specifically, ones she's interested in and enjoys. Lastly, she's being seen and recognized by the faculty and staff in ways that have never happened in any classroom before. Her self-esteem is through the roof, which is creating positive energy that she wants to put back into her studies and friends. If you're considering Sora for your child's education, and you also feel a little bit different than the status quo, you've found your people.

My son came from a traditional public school. When he was in elementary school he loved it but moved to middle school and hated it. Now being at Sora he loves school again, he is engaged with his classes and work. He has made tons of friends! We thought we would not be able to afford Sora for him, but they made the process of financial aid easy to apply for. We applied later than I think most students do so we were a little late to the game, but Sora answered all of our questions and helped from day one. We always received responses to questions and even now the administrators get right back to you when you have a question or need something. I couldn't have asked for a better experience moving from traditional school and seeing my son so happy at school has made it worth it!!! I would highly recommend Sora to anyone looking!

Sora is a school that puts student agency at the heart of its mission. Students are empowered to follow their interests and develop their passions. It is fascinating as an educator to see motivational issues fade away as students are given real choices over their education. I feel fortunate to be an educator here!

Sora students can grow academically and experience an education that is relevant to 21st-century learners via the use of technology. They can develop their research projects and incorporate their experiential learning opportunities into their educational experiences. Sora students can interact with their peers and form lasting friendships - just like at any other school.

Sora Schools is a safe, inclusive learning environment providing students with a world-class education with project creations, unique topics of student interest, and extremely caring/supportive teachers to help each individual along the way. Sora encompasses values of truth-seeking, creativity, collaboration, empathy, and more. Sora Schools has stepped outside the box of traditional education and is recreating the educational experience to help meet the needs of students in today's ever-changing world.

The level of care and involvement by SORA is truly second to none. Not only are they looking for our kids, but we as parents too. I love the "pop-ups" where we can just get together and chat about not only school-related stuff and questions but about how we as parents are doing too. My child went from being so anxious as to not come to the door to even pick what kind of Girl Scout cookies she wanted to become her class president, meeting and going to the fair with another SORA student, and having a blast. That`s not even going into the amazing types of classes they offer and how it connects to real-world situations unlike public school.. they are encouraged more to go into personal reasons as to why they picked a certain country and what appeals to them as opposed to listing useless facts like population and country size. Strongly suggest taking a little time to check out SORA and see if it would work for you and your child(den). Might be the best thing you could ever do for them (and YOU)!

I've been in education as a teacher for over a decade, teaching ages as young as 2nd graders to adults much older than myself. I've taught state and private colleges, public K-12, and private K-12. Sora has so far been one of the best teaching experiences I've ever had because the framework of the school strives to be different from the "teach to the test" focus that unfortunately has come to dominate the traditional school landscape. There are of course challenges, but overall I can see it in the students' excitement and engagement that Sora is doing a lot of good for students and their families.

Sora was, truly, the perfect school for me. For the first two years of high school, I explored every virtual high school option available to me and came away from each one wanting more - more engaging coursework, more flexibility in what I could study, more opportunities for interaction with my instructors and peers. I found all of that and more at Sora. Sora enabled me to learn at my own pace, leaping ahead in the subjects I was advanced in and taking my time in areas where I felt less comfortable. I was also able to explore more niche and specific interests in depth, producing projects I would never have been able to complete if I had been limited to a traditional course catalog. I graduated with a rich academic record and ended up being admitted to my first-choice college. Sora also has a vibrant and close-knit community, unlike any other online school I`ve attended. Through clubs, committees, student events such as spirit week and prom, and daily peer group meetings, students have a wide variety of ways to connect over shared passions. Students are also encouraged to collaborate on academic projects to support and inspire each other. The faculty is a big part of the community as well - having your math teacher share memes with you in a casual chat channel makes it much less intimidating to go to them when you have questions about your assignment. I developed close connections with my instructors and counselors that have continued beyond my graduation. Sora was a life-changing experience for me, and I cannot recommend it enough!

"The teachers are fantastic and have been incredibly supportive (and have pushed my son just enough to keep him challenged without overwhelming him all the time)".

The teachers are beyond excellent. I love how they have gotten to know my child. The variety of classes that seem to touch on the kids' interests is also amazing. THANK YOU!!! Sora has changed my son's life!

We are thankful for Sora and truly appreciate that Sora seeks out and responds to feedback.

Sora is doing amazing at creating a sense of community especially with everything being virtual. The in-person meetups are an added and unexpected perk! I also appreciate my son`s house advisor reaching out as well and keeping me informed. I am impressed and happy with our decision to attend.

Innovative and exciting academic framework, high standards for students, clear and consistent communication, and caring staff.

Creating a safe environment for my student to learn and be his true self. Providing expeditions that are diverse in topics that promote critical thinking, exploring ideas and concepts that are relevant and interesting, encouraging creative thought not just forced repetition, and engaging lessons. Responding to questions and issues compassionately and professionally. Creating a community virtually with upbeat attitudes from staff.

You have created an environment that balances challenge and support, and the sense of community is stronger than in any school we've been a part of, even though the environment is virtual. The classes are quirky and intriguing, and it's been a joy to see my son be interested in school and excited about what he's learning (even if he still does the bare minimum of work sometimes). We remain so grateful for the blessing Sora has been for our family; when your kid is struggling with school, the whole family is impacted. He hasn't had a single moment of anxiety or resistance toward school this entire school year so far, and the gift that is to our family is remarkable. Thank you.

Class choice, interesting topics, great schedule all lead to better and deeper learning. The flexibility has enabled my son to add in German language and he is doing great! He also appreciates the ability to take double math and learn at his own pace.

Sora Schools walks the walk of its values, teaching philosophy, and vision. Education should be about choice, interests, developing real-world skills, critical thinking, empathy, and growth. Sora Schools teaches and offers all of this. Students can study a wide variety of topics while working on the skills that will help them be successful in the future. In the mastery-based system, students understand that growth and development take time but effort and hard work can pay off. Teachers care about each student, getting to know their strengths and areas where they can grow. Students develop empathy while connecting with other students around the country and the globe. This school is at the forefront of education.

Sora Schools has been a game changer for our family, providing a welcoming, supportive, and intellectually challenging learning environment that works for our teens. They use a flexible, mastery-based approach to learning, where the focus is on iterative learning over time, rather than on tests and grades. Classes include project-based learning done right --- with genuine student input and exploration. The small class sizes allow teachers to provide frequent, personalized, constructive feedback that helps students understand their strengths and areas for growth. Sora also does a great job of providing opportunities for students and families to interact with each other, creating a genuinely supportive online learning community.

Sora`s education model is on the cutting edge of education. Sora students are expected to take ownership and be active participants in their learning. Sora`s students are invited to learn, process information, and problem-solve real-world issues that are local, national, or global. The administration works in collaboration with parents to fine-tune the school to evolve and better suit students` needs. The key to Sora`s success is engaging students to see how they fit into the world, creativity and outside-the-box thinking are promoted. Students have to learn and apply many critical life skills. The six-week cycles provide ample opportunities for the students to hone their skills partly through falling short and learning from their mistakes. Without geographic boundaries, the school cultivates a community that is much more diverse than traditional schooling. The broadly diverse community promotes open-mindedness and acceptance of each other. The track model allows deeper dives into subject areas of greatest interest. We backfill the need for in-person social interaction by encouraging our son to volunteer weekly, participate in sports to ensure that he takes advantage of the flexible school structure, and participate in our local community. Depending on the student, parents may need to provide some additional support until the student is fully independent in the Sora learning model. While it may be viewed as a challenge of the online learning model, we view it as a learning opportunity. We are confident that Sora will prepare our son for college and beyond.

My son absolutely loves Sora. He is entering his fourth cycle of classes, and he`s loved every single class he`s taken this far. His passion for coding and humanities has led him to want to make his own app. He`s learned so much about personal finance, so we opened a separate custodial account to allow him to invest, long-term, in his favorite stocks. We can thank the teachers, staff, and students enough for providing such an encouraging environment.

I`ve been a student at Sora for a few months, and so far I love it! The learning expeditions offer a really fun way to learn about various subjects and the star system feels a lot better and more meaningful than a traditional grading system. I enjoy being in a house because I`ve been able to meet a lot of awesome people and make friends. There is truly a unique and wonderful educational experience at Sora and I definitely recommend it. :D

We cannot say enough good things about Sora. Our child is a highly gifted student who is competing at a sport at an elite level. The pressure to pick either the sport or academics is incredible, but Sora enables her to follow both passions. It is like the best of college and grad school rolled into a high school. The students can create their own unique path with the help and support of the entire Sora community. For those who feel that being at the top of a sport is lonely, come to Sora. For those who feel like they cannot get enough interesting material or depth and breadth of subjects while in high school, come to Sora. For those who feel like there has to be a better way to do high school, come to Sora. We have never encountered a more enriching, supportive, high-functioning group of people, and our only complaint is that it doesn't continue as a college.

Sora truly is a school built for the student. We have tried almost every other model, but this is the first time my daughter is experiencing what joy of learning really looks like. Instead of the conventional top-down, one-size-fits-all model, the students are met where they are with everything they bring to the table, strengths and challenges alike. The staff, faculty, and mentors are not just great at what they do but also incredibly caring and responsive. Students have a voice and are in fact a vibrant and active part of the school. The curriculum encourages curiosity, which is the foundation for innovation and growth. It is the perfect mix between rigor and openness, accountability and flexibility. Plus Sora provides a safe environment where great friendships amongst students from all over the country and even from different parts of the world are easily made. I never thought that an online platform could provide such a rich experience.

As an expat family, our biggest challenge was to find a school that would match our family values and expectations, besides being reasonably affordable. We spent a few years unsatisfied with what was best available at where we were in and saw the toll it took on our daughter's desire to learn. SORA not only was a great match with our values, but it provided the dynamic and hands on experience we were looking for, plus the mobility to take opportunities of work elsewhere without having to worry on yet another adaptation process. We saw her thrive on SORA and transform from an average student that did not want to participate in school activities to a very engaged student and leader (which up until this point she had ran away from). SORA transformed the way she saw education, allowing her to pace and challenge herself. It showed us that when you allow kids to take a driving seat on their education; they have a much healthier relationship with education and their studies than before.

My son is enjoying Sora School! Learning here is a team effort, not a dictated authoritarian activity. He feels as though he can share the reins in his educational journey and can propose new ways of learning the materials he needs to learn in order to graduate. The guides and teachers are very supportive. Although there are no "grades" they have an innovative way of tracking the mastery of the material students need to learn. The dashboard (available to parents and students) shows the student's progress towards graduation and makes it easy to recognize both the student's strengths and where more attention is needed in order to graduate.