Halstrom Academy

Halstrom Academy in Mission Viejo
By Melissa Hodge

A one student to one teacher ratio is the cornerstone philosophy of Halstrom Academy. Founded in 1985, Halstrom pioneered the concept of customized curriculum paired with guided, individual instruction. After recently expanding its staff and campus to serve students from Grades 6 through 12, the school has grown to over 13 campuses throughout the state, with the Mission Viejo location as its largest.

Halstrom appeals to a wide range of students, including artists, athletes, and young entrepreneurs with its ability to offer a tailored curriculum and to accommodate ever-changing schedules. This flexibility allows for travel and experiences that otherwise would not be possible within the confinement of a traditional school model. Not limited by a classroom, Halstrom also provides an accelerated and rigorous pace with over 100 college prep and AP courses available to suit the academic needs and interests of its students. As a well-rounded school, Halstrom celebrates unique and individualized learning. Students with ADD, ADHD and high-functioning autism can learn at their own pace without the pressure to keep up with a classroom full of students. “There are kids that are getting put into special needs classes that do not need to be…there doesn’t seem to be an in-between for them. At Halstrom, we are the in-between,” pronounces Janeva Ryder, the Acting Director at the Mission Viejo campus. “The kids come in feeling like they aren’t good in school. Halstrom lets them know that they can be successful regardless of their learning differences.”

At age 15, Spencer Mangan, an accomplished violinist and promising scientist, will be graduating two years ahead of his peers, in the spring of 2015. A profoundly gifted student, Spencer is able to accelerate the pace of learning at Halstrom, as well as personalize his curriculum as his interests peak. For example, administrators and staff worked together to create a college-level Organic Chemistry tutorial class designed for Spencer. “This type of [tutorial] class is not available at any high school that I know of,” proudly states Ryder. Spencer’s mother, Margaret, chose Halstrom based on the “one student, one teacher” model and for the interaction that Spencer craved. “The ability for Spencer to ask as many questions as he wants, to have a gab-fest with his teacher over things that excite him…that would never be allowed in a regular classroom,” states Margaret. “At Halstrom, he is engaged in his learning, instead of ignored.”

Senior, Matteo Joseph has an extensive travel schedule that requires him to be out of the country several weeks out of the month. As the Director of New Corporate Development for his father’s successful energy drink company, West Coast Chill, Halstrom’s flexibility truly fits well with his demanding schedule and work responsibilities. Coming into Halstrom in the eighth grade, Matteo knew right away that the fit was a good one. Halstrom not only gave him an educational experience where he thrived; he was able to boost his confidence level to an all-time high. “I used to get beaten down at my other school,” laments Joseph. “But at Halstrom, based on a scale from 1-10, my confidence coming in was at a 4 and now…25!” Joseph beamed.

Aspiring actress and model Kayla Carlson participates in Halstrom’s extracurricular group classes, such as film appreciation and dance, creating opportunities to meet people and make friends. “The fact that everyone I meet at Halstrom wants to be there…that makes it special,” raves Carlson. A straight-A student, Carlson is able to balance her auditions and callbacks with the coursework she masters at her own pace. She expands that her teachers have the time to break down concepts and spend time on things that she may need extra help understanding. “One of the greatest gains I’ve had by being at Halstrom is the relationship that I’ve been able to have with my teachers. Because they know me, I am held accountable to know the material,” declares Carlson. “They let me ask hundreds of questions…and encourage me to do so.”

Check out a behind the scenes look at our August cover shoot at Halstrom Academy!

Halstrom Academy • Mision Viejo Campus
26440 La Alameda, Suite 150
Mission Viejo
866.537.1083
Halstrom4u.COM