Welcome to Discern Academy!
Discern Academy is an online education program that specializes in 1 of the 4 core subjects:
English-Language Arts
We teach your student God’s truths, critical thinking, and mastery of English through great literature.
We believe that mastery of language, literary comprehension, and the ability to think critically is fundamental to higher level learning. By focusing exclusively on English Language Arts, we provide a rigorous, immersive experience that goes beyond standard curricula, ensuring that students gain the skills needed for college, entrepreneurship, and life!
Discern Academy is built upon four strong pillars
A permeating Christian worldview
Excellence in teaching
Mastery in learning,
The proven Doc H Approach.
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Who is Discern Academy built for?
About Discern
Discern Academy grew directly from a passion for literature, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
We formed Discern Academy in 2023 for these specific reasons:
A desire to teach students how to think critically, read deeply, how to think for themselves, and how to communicate effectively, all through literature.
Discern Academy's
Head Professor
Dr. Hodgson PhD
Dr. Hodgson, also known as Doc H. has successfully taught elementary, middle school, high school, and college students for over 3 decades.
She has a Master's degree in Literature, a PhD in Education, and has read tens of thousands of books. Through her passion for reading, Dr. Hodgson developed the ability to read over 1600 words per minute with near perfect retention.
Dr. Hodgson has a love for teaching. She can take most any book and expand upon the deeper message and wisdom within it. She then takes the knowledge gained from literature and applies it to the wider world in order to prepare her students to think critically about any future situation her students find themselves in.
In addition to her teaching, she has also had roles as an academic dean, principal, and assistant superintendent of a school district. These roles have given her an indispensable view of the modern educational system.
In her free time she loves to read books (big surprise there), relax in Maine, and spend quality time with her two children and four grandchildren.
She has a Master's degree in Literature, a PhD in Education, and has read tens of thousands of books. Through her passion for reading, Dr. Hodgson developed the ability to read over 1600 words per minute with near perfect retention.
Dr. Hodgson has a love for teaching. She can take most any book and expand upon the deeper message and wisdom within it. She then takes the knowledge gained from literature and applies it to the wider world in order to prepare her students to think critically about any future situation her students find themselves in.
In addition to her teaching, she has also had roles as an academic dean, principal, and assistant superintendent of a school district. These roles have given her an indispensable view of the modern educational system.
In her free time she loves to read books (big surprise there), relax in Maine, and spend quality time with her two children and four grandchildren.
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Get to know us
Dr.
Hodgson has taught literature for over 35 years and has read countless books.
Teaching students how to think and articulate themselves has been
applied and refined throughout her entire career.
She even completed her PhD on it: A
Literature-Based Approach to Writing and Reading Dr. Hodgson Ph.D
The Doc H Approach
Simply explained, the Doc H approach is the practical and time tested application of her PhD. This literary approach significantly increases students’ reading comprehension levels, vocabulary, writing abilities, and their academic confidence!
If you can read effectively, you can think more effectively and ultimately talk with greater clarity.
If you can read effectively, you can think more effectively and ultimately talk with greater clarity.
After Dr.H retired from teaching she began to dedicate her time to creating and refining her own novels.
At the same time, her son saw that her decades of educational work, literature notes, analysis, and countless advances in literary education was just going to sit in file cabinets and word documents to fade into nothingness. To her son Dakota, not only was that unacceptable, it was wrong. That is where the vision of Discern Academy was born.
From papers to an online literature academy
What you see now is Discern Academy
We have pioneered and refined a form of learning that skyrockets a student’s ability to understand not only literature, but the world. The Doc H approach is our teaching framework, learn more about it here.
What we provide
Dr. Sarah Musser
Dr. Sarah Musser earned a PhD in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University. It was there that she discovered a passion for teaching science. She has 13 years of teaching experience in the college and high school classroom. In addition to that, she has spent countless hours over the past 20 years privately tutoring students in chemistry and biology and has prepared many students to pass the AP chemistry and biology exams, as well as earn high marks on the science portion of the ACT exam.
Dr. Musser has been blessed with the ability to understand difficult scientific concepts and sees the beauty and workmanship of God in every aspect of science. It is her greatest desire to make Him known as she explains the elements of the scientific design.
Outside of teaching, Dr. Musser enjoys putting her scientific skills to work in her kitchen, particularly in the form of baking. She especially enjoys spending time with the love of her life and their four beautiful children.
Dr. Musser has been blessed with the ability to understand difficult scientific concepts and sees the beauty and workmanship of God in every aspect of science. It is her greatest desire to make Him known as she explains the elements of the scientific design.
Outside of teaching, Dr. Musser enjoys putting her scientific skills to work in her kitchen, particularly in the form of baking. She especially enjoys spending time with the love of her life and their four beautiful children.
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How do I start?
Purchase the applicable course novels
Please purchase your books either online, from your local book store, or borrow from your local library.
Start Learning!
Each course should take about 6 weeks. There are 6 books per year. Everything excluding a physical copy of the book is included in our course packages here!
-How to purchase video below-
Step 1. Choose standard or premium
Step 2. Select your students grade
Step 3. Purchase package
Step 4. Purchase books or borrow from library
Step 5. Watch your student learn!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Discern Academy?
Discern Academy is an online education program that specializes in and offers 1 of the 4 core subjects: English-Language Arts.
What can your student expect at Discern Academy?
Discern Academy is a high quality English-Language Arts education platform.
Specifically, we provide everything in our course except the literary work or text book. We provide interactive videos, tests, grading, course curriculum's, how-to's, study materials, downloadable resources, and much more.
Specifically, we provide everything in our course except the literary work or text book. We provide interactive videos, tests, grading, course curriculum's, how-to's, study materials, downloadable resources, and much more.
I want to subscribe to the 6th, 7th or 8th grade package. What does it contain?
Here is exactly what is contained in a grade level package.
The year package contains 6 books. Each book has an entire course built around it.
Each course does an in depth teaching of the book and has all these things built into it:
The year package contains 6 books. Each book has an entire course built around it.
Each course does an in depth teaching of the book and has all these things built into it:
- assignments
- tests
- analysis
- vocabulary
- literary terms
- multiple choice questions
- short answer questions
- unit tests
- interactive videos
- writing lessons
- embedded critical thinking (Often missing in public education!)
Do you the parent have to teach when using Discern Academy?
No, you do not have to teach English-Language Arts while using Discern Academy.
If you have the Standard Package, you will have to grade your students writing assignments, but not teach them. There are writing lesson videos and associated PDF's so that student has the resources on hand.
If you have the Premium Package, you do not have to grade anything. We will grade it and provide writing feedback to help your student improve.
If you have the Standard Package, you will have to grade your students writing assignments, but not teach them. There are writing lesson videos and associated PDF's so that student has the resources on hand.
If you have the Premium Package, you do not have to grade anything. We will grade it and provide writing feedback to help your student improve.
What do you mean a Turn-Key course?
You buy the course package and the grade levels book (separately) and that is it. Your student has everything they need to learn!
All the teachings, assignments, PDFs, grammar videos, writing lessons, vocabulary lists, activities, quizzes, exams, essays, and online community are all provided.
All the teachings, assignments, PDFs, grammar videos, writing lessons, vocabulary lists, activities, quizzes, exams, essays, and online community are all provided.
Who is the professor at Discern Academy?
Dr. Hodgson Phd. Many of her students call her Doc H. She is a passionate teacher who has worlds of experience and has written a series of books called Boyo.
Check out her bio here!
Check out her bio here!
Who is Discern Academy for?
Although an ideal option for homeschoolers, Discern Academy will also work for those who have a passion for learning, regardless of their age or situation in life.
Some students supplement their regular classes with the in-depth and accelerated Discern Academy courses.
Our flagship courses are an ideal crash course to get your student caught up after experiencing poor teaching.
Some students supplement their regular classes with the in-depth and accelerated Discern Academy courses.
Our flagship courses are an ideal crash course to get your student caught up after experiencing poor teaching.
Is there a lot of busy work for my student?
Absolutely not! We teach and emphasize mastery. What your student learns here, including but not limited to the concepts, structures, vocabulary, study habits, belief systems, and critical thinking skills, will be applicable throughout their lives.
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the ability to eliminate unprofitable busy work that destroys your child's passion for learning.
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the ability to eliminate unprofitable busy work that destroys your child's passion for learning.
How do I purchase courses?
Head to our pricing page. We have standard and premium packages by grade level. Select a package for your students grade level and you will be take to the payment page.
Is an internet connection required for courses?
Yes.
Can I recommend a book and you create a course on it?
That is a possibility! This school is built to prepare you for today's world and to shape the future. Email us at Admin@discernacademy.com and let us know what you think is needed and why. We look forward to hearing from you!
Is there a long on-boarding process?
No! Simply sign up and start learning the same day!
Are these courses simply cut and paste videos from a classroom?
No, these are custom-made courses. They feel as if this is a 1 on 1 lesson with a world class teacher.
The videos are interactive and require the student to answer questions in the midst of the video to continue on. This is far from your average online homeschooling option.
The videos are interactive and require the student to answer questions in the midst of the video to continue on. This is far from your average online homeschooling option.
Do you have a free course?
Yes, we have the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It is important to note that this is simply a deeper analysis of the book. It does not contain the varied assessments, interactive elements, essays, vocabulary, etc. that our other courses contain.
How long until my student gets better at reading?
The progress should start within a month and then be nonstop! After reading and completing the entire Flagship course, your student will complete 5 other books that same year that reinforce that same concept in addition to teaching concepts from different angles. If your student completes an entire year with Discern Academy, the difference in reading comprehension and overall critical thinking will be measurable not only to you, but your student!
Why do your packages not contain the physical copies of the books that are taught?
We do not own the rights to books by C.S. Lewis or other renowned authors featured in our courses. Including physical copies in each package would significantly increase the cost, and many families already own some of the required books. To keep our program affordable and flexible, we allow families to purchase books separately—either online (books by grade level here) or through local bookstores and libraries. This way, you can find the best deal available.
How is my student's work graded?
The Premium Package comes with 100% of
assignments graded. This includes Discern Academy grading all written
assignments (sentences, short answers, and essays) and providing personalized feedback.
The Premium Package requires ZERO grading work for parents.
In the Standard Package, all multiple choice, fill in the blank, and matching assignments are graded automatically with our built-in answer key. The student written assignments, (sentences, short answers, and essays) are not graded by Discern Academy.
With the Standard Package, the parent is responsible for grading all written assignments.
The Premium Package requires ZERO grading work for parents.
In the Standard Package, all multiple choice, fill in the blank, and matching assignments are graded automatically with our built-in answer key. The student written assignments, (sentences, short answers, and essays) are not graded by Discern Academy.
With the Standard Package, the parent is responsible for grading all written assignments.
How do I stay updated on my student's progress?
In the Premium Package, you receive progress reports on your student's current courses twice per month. These reports are personally prepared and show the course start date, each assignment score, and the date that each assignment was completed. This gives you a very clear, up-to-date report of your student's progress throughout the courses.
At the completion of each course, we personally send the entire completed grade report for your records. This requires zero work for you, the parent, besides opening an email.
In the Standard Package, the parent is responsible for monitoring student course progress.
Each course provides a course assignment overview that you or your student should fill out as he or she progresses.
Additionally, within Discern Academy, your student's courses show an automated completion percentage. Individual scores for assignments are shown after the assignments have been completed. You or your student will then fill in the assignment score.
At the completion of each course, we personally send the entire completed grade report for your records. This requires zero work for you, the parent, besides opening an email.
In the Standard Package, the parent is responsible for monitoring student course progress.
Each course provides a course assignment overview that you or your student should fill out as he or she progresses.
Additionally, within Discern Academy, your student's courses show an automated completion percentage. Individual scores for assignments are shown after the assignments have been completed. You or your student will then fill in the assignment score.
Which package should I choose?
In simple terms, the Standard Package is the more economical option, but it requires more parent involvement and work.
The parent is responsible for grading all writing assignments, providing writing corrections/feedback, monitoring student progress, and tracking student grades, The Standard Package does not give free access to the Bible or entrepreneurial courses.
In contrast, the Premium Package is essentially hands-off for the parents.
100% of all assignments are graded with writings receiving personal feedback from Discern Academy. In addition, twice monthly course progress reports are personally prepared, providing assignment grades and completion dates. After a student completes a course, a completed grade report is emailed to you. Additionally, Bible and entrepreneurial courses are included in the Premium Package.
The parent is responsible for grading all writing assignments, providing writing corrections/feedback, monitoring student progress, and tracking student grades, The Standard Package does not give free access to the Bible or entrepreneurial courses.
In contrast, the Premium Package is essentially hands-off for the parents.
100% of all assignments are graded with writings receiving personal feedback from Discern Academy. In addition, twice monthly course progress reports are personally prepared, providing assignment grades and completion dates. After a student completes a course, a completed grade report is emailed to you. Additionally, Bible and entrepreneurial courses are included in the Premium Package.
What are Flagship courses?
Flagship courses are the first course your student takes in each grade. The Flagship course covers every concept that needs to be mastered at that grade level. All other books in that grade level reinforce those concepts. Your student always takes the Flagship course first to lay the groundwork for mastery.
What is the difference between Monthly and Annual plans?
We give the option of paying monthly, which is a no risk, cancel anytime plan.
Annual packages are for 12 months (beginning day of purchase) and provide substantial savings equivalent to four months free!
For example, purchasing an annual package is paying for 8 months at the beginning and then receiving a total 12 months. (Pay for 8 months get 12months).
Annual packages are for 12 months (beginning day of purchase) and provide substantial savings equivalent to four months free!
For example, purchasing an annual package is paying for 8 months at the beginning and then receiving a total 12 months. (Pay for 8 months get 12months).
Is there a trial period?
Yes, there is a no questions asked, 14-day money back guarantee, excluding the non-refundable $25 student registration fee.
Does my student have to log in at a certain time for classes?
No! Your student has 24/7 online access to their subscribed courses at Discern Academy. While we recommend each book being completed in 6 weeks, your student can move as fast or as slow as desired.
What is the school community?
This is an area where students can ask questions about a particular assignment or course in our enclosed school setting. Discern Academy or peers can respond to the question. This platform furthers student engagement and encourages grappling with harder literary concepts. The school community is available with both standard and premium packages.
Control how you learn and progress
Come learn with us!
Join us today!
Thank you!