Alongside project work and skills mastery, students meet multiple times a week to deeply engage in our core curriculum. The core curriculum is discussion-based, focusing on philosophy, literature, and skill development.
All seminars, workshops, and social time take place in our Virtual Campus.
Ideas Lab is our deeper alternative to a traditional philosophy class. In weekly Socratic seminars, students explore the big questions: what is knowledge? What does it mean for society to be just? Do we exist? Is there such a thing as morality? Do we have free will? Is there such a thing as a universal truth? How do we know what's true?
>Students read the works of philosophical greats from Western, Eastern, and African traditions and meet together to discuss the answers and questions philosophy leaves us with.
The Literature Circle is where we explore some of the world's most influential and imaginative books together. Our goal is to read closely, think broadly, and discover the joy of sharing ideas through conversation.
>Each term, we'll read and discuss two works with common themes or striking contrasts that spark deep discussion. Students encounter a wide range of voices, styles, and eras to build both cultural understanding and a lifelong love of literature.
Students gather to learn a specific practical skill to help improve their project work.
>Each module focuses on a different tool, from storytelling to data-visualization, research to public speaking, writing proposals to pitching, to time management, reflection, and leadership.
Throughout their time at Barefoot Technology Academy, students will attend skills workshops in a variety of coding languages and technical platforms, led by student needs and interests.
>Students will learn to use Python, C#, Wolfram Language, HTML/CSS/JavaScript, GitHub, Unity, Figma, Blender, Canva, and other technical skills as needed.
Students meet to have casual discussions, do creative challenges, and engage in school democracy.
>We discuss and learn about topics such physical and emotional well-being, relationships, financial health, and career readiness, following curricula from organizations such as Stigma Free Mental Health, and Junior Achievement.
>Students can also teach mini-lessons about topics that interest them.
We aim to have a guest for either a talk or a workshop at least once per term. Guests give a lecture or run a hands-on workshop in their area of expertise.
>We pull from a large network of academics, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, and professionals for our guest speakers, and students have the opportunity to engage deeply with new topics.
During the winter term, we partner with external organizations to offer intensive workshops in a variety of subjects.
>In 2026, we're partnering with Inspirit AI to explore Artificial Intelligence. Students will learn the fundamental concepts of AI, gain a deeper understanding of how AI is used, understand ethical considerations, and complete a group project applying AI to disciplines like healthcare, astronomy, finance, and more!
Through our partnerships with Arizona State University and The University of Alabama, students take the STEM Foundations Certificate to earn college credit and explore new areas of STEM.
>Students actively enrolled in a course meet each week to get staff support and to work on assignments together.
>Students have the option to take further courses at ASU and UA, and are guided to find a learning path that suits their interests and goals.
