Symbiosis is a homeschool-based independent K-12 school. Families enroll as homeschoolers in Massachusetts, and we provide the structure, instruction, curriculum, and documentation to support your child’s education.

We guide families through the process and provide academic reports and documentation for district submission.

At Symbiosis, we believe that education is not one-size-fits-all.  Our program is intentionally designed for families seeking something different - something more connected, more human, and more meaningful.

Symbiosis may be a wonderful fit if your child…

• Feels most alive when they are outdoors, exploring, moving, and creating

• Benefits from a smaller, relationship-based environment

• Thrives with flexibility, autonomy, and choice in their learning

• Is curious, thoughtful, imaginative, or deep-thinking

• May feel overlooked, under-challenged, or constrained in a traditional setting

• Enjoys time to socialize, collaborate, and build meaningful friendships

• Benefits from a gentle, supportive approach to growth and development

• Is working on building confidence, executive functioning, or independence

Symbiosis may be a good fit for your family if you…

• Value whole-child development as much as academics

• Believe in the importance of nature, play, and experiential learning

• Are seeking a calm, nurturing, and intentional environment

• Appreciate a program that blends structure with flexibility

• Trust that learning can happen in many ways—not just through worksheets and tests

• Are looking for a collaborative partnership with your child’s school

• Feel drawn to a community that prioritizes respect, responsibility, and care

A note about growth

Many of our students arrive needing time to decompress, rebuild confidence, and rediscover a love of learning. We meet students where they are, and growth often unfolds in meaningful and sometimes unexpected ways.

Symbiosis operates within the Massachusetts homeschooling framework rather than as an accredited private school. We provide a comprehensive, standards-aligned education, including academic reports, transcripts, a high school diploma, and guidance for families to meet district requirements. This model allows us the flexibility to offer a highly personalized, meaningful, and whole-child learning experience while still maintaining academic rigor.

Accreditation emphasizes consistency and standardization.
Our model emphasizes responsiveness and personalization.

This allows us to meet students where they are—academically, socially, and emotionally—while still ensuring meaningful progress and accountability.

Accreditation is a system designed for traditional schools and typically requires a high level of standardization - such as fixed curriculum sequences, uniform pacing, and consistent assessment models across classrooms.

Our model is intentionally different.

Operating as a homeschool program allows us to:

• Adjust pacing based on each student’s needs

• Group students by readiness rather than strictly by age

• Integrate outdoor, nature-based, and experiential learning

• Provide more individualized academic and social-emotional support

This flexibility is central to how we support students in engaging with learning.

We chose the name Symbiosis because we believe learning happens best in relationships where everyone grows together - students, teachers, and the environment itself.

The name Symbiosis comes from biology, where it describes a relationship between living things in which all participants benefit and grow together. We chose this name because it reflects how we believe learning happens best - not in isolation or through rigid systems, but through connection, relationship, and mutual support.

At Symbiosis Academy, this idea is at the heart of everything we do. Learning emerges through relationships:

• between students and teachers

• among peers

• between children and the natural world

Each child brings unique strengths, perspectives, and needs. When those are recognized and supported, the entire community becomes stronger.

Rather than expecting students to fit into a one-size-fits-all model, we focus on:

• responsive, individualized learning

• a strong sense of community and belonging

• integration of outdoor and nature-based experiences

• social and emotional development alongside academic​s

Yes. We align with the Massachusetts Core Curriculum frameworks while allowing flexibility to meet students where they are.

We provide narrative academic reports and progress updates rather than traditional grades.

We provide:

• Transcripts

• Documentation for homeschool approval

• A pathway toward earning a high school diploma through our program

Monday-Thursday
Drop-off: 8:30-9:00 AM
Pick-up: 3:00-3:30 PM

We are closed on Fridays.  Some families plan field trips, travel, enrichment activities, or community gatherings.

Each day includes a balance of:

• Academic Learning
  Engaging, personalized instruction in math, reading, writing, and interdisciplinary projects aligned with Massachusetts standards

• Outdoor Exploration
  Daily time in nature - hikes, free play, observation, and hands-on environmental learning

• Social Connection & Collaboration
  Group discussions, partner work, and community-building activities that support communication and relationship skills

• Independent & Creative Work
  Time for students to explore interests, create, reflect, and work at their own pace

A significant portion of the day is spent outdoors.
With our location by Ponkapoag Pond and surrounding trails, nature is an integral part of daily learning - through exploration, science, play, and reflection.

We intentionally keep groups small and relationship-based, allowing for individualized support, flexibility, and strong community connections.

Yes, many of our students are neurodivergent and benefit from our flexible, relationship-based approach.

At the same time, we are not a therapeutic program and are not equipped to support students with significant behavioral challenges or intensive needs. 

Social connection is a central part of our day. Students have:

• Unstructured social time

• Collaborative projects

• Opportunities to build meaningful friendships across ages

Full-time, Monday-Thursday, $18,500

Part-time, 2 days a week, $9,250

We understand that every family’s financial situation is different and strive to make Symbiosis as accessible as possible.  We are happy to have individual conversations with families to explore a tuition level that feels manageable and aligned with your budget.

• Flexible payment plans are available

• We work collaboratively to find an approach that supports both your family and the sustainability of our program

• A $500 deposit is required to reserve your child’s spot. This deposit is non-refundable and is applied toward tuition.

• Tuition is due August 1, 2026

• Families who choose to pay tuition in full by June 1 will receive a 5% tuition reduction.

• Payment plans are available upon request and tuition balances are expected to be paid in full by the end of December of 2026.

• Tuition payments not received within 5 days of the due date may incur a late fee.

We understand that family circumstances can change, and we aim to balance flexibility with the need to maintain stability for our program, staffing, and community.

Our tuition commitment follows this general timeline:

• Within the first 6 weeks:
  80% tuition refund (excluding any registration or materials fees)

• Weeks 7-10:
  50% refund of remaining tuition

• After 10 weeks:
  No refunds are issued, as staffing and program commitments are already in place

Yes, we do offer optional school lunch on select days!

• Mondays: Cheese Pizza is available for $2.75 per slice

• Tuesdays: We offer a hot lunch for $5, which typically includes items like chicken nuggets and pasta, vegetables, and a cookie

• Tuesday Snack Option: You can also add a snack for an additional $2, which may include items like a nutrition bar, pretzels, and fruit

Yes! We absolutely welcome parent involvement. Parents are invited to share a craft, read a story, lead an outdoor adventure, cook with students, teach a class, or bring a special interest or skill to the community.