By Alex Briggs Allison, Girls Program Academic Director
As an educator, it is a professional dream to work in a school that embodies and lives the pedagogy I hold close to my heart. I believe education should give every child a compass — not directions. I want students to discover confidence in their ability to choose where they are going and who they want to become, guided by curiosity, resilience, and self-leadership. Like the little oak discovering its purpose, I strive to grow learners who adapt, wonder, and thrive through authentic experiences in nature, community, and inquiry-driven learning. My classroom is a place where students feel valued, inspired, accountable, and supported — where they learn that the most influential person in their education is themselves. I embrace that the most meaningful fruits of teaching may take years to blossom, and I proudly invest my energy into the relationships, opportunities, and foundations that help each child flourish. Teaching is my spark, and my greatest hope is to ignite sparks in others.
At FBRA, students are encouraged to stretch beyond their comfort zones while being deeply supported every step of the way. We believe achievement happens when emotional safety and intellectual risk-taking intersect — whether students are problem-solving in math class, researching for the science fair, analyzing a current event, or taking on a challenge outdoors. The magic lies in the knowledge, dedication, and intention shared by our staff, families, and students who together cultivate a learning community grounded in courage, compassion, and curiosity.
Our academic model is intentionally designed to welcome students from a wide range of educational backgrounds, accelerate their growth over three transformative years, and prepare them to thrive in various high school pathways. We follow the NC Standard Course of Study while incorporating innovative, hands-on strategies that promote deep engagement and critical thinking. Because of this approach, students progress through more than three years of content in math, science, and Spanish during their time at FBRA. In 6th and 7th grade, students master grade-level standards and extend into advanced concepts. By 8th grade, they complete the remaining middle school curriculum and transition into high school coursework, leaving many students eligible for high school credits in Algebra I, Earth & Environmental Science, and Spanish I or II. Our humanities program integrates reading and writing instruction with vivid exploration of Ancient Civilizations, the Modern Era, and American History — strengthening literacy skills while nurturing global awareness and historical perspective. This approach ensures students not only meet expectations — they exceed them, developing the stamina and skill required for fast-paced, honors-level learning.
We know that every student has areas of strength and areas of stretch, and we design instruction to both challenge and uplift. Differentiation and feedback are cornerstones of academic growth. Support at FBRA does not look like lowering the bar — instead, it provides the scaffolded “steps” that empower students to climb higher than they believed they could. Teachers monitor meaningful learning data, honor student interests, and understand individual learning styles. They facilitate learning by using varied methods — including Bloom’s Taxonomy for skill progression — to ensure content remains relevant, attainable, and appropriately rigorous.
One of the most impactful elements of our academic programming in the Girls School is our Lab model, intentionally designed to strengthen mastery while building confidence, autonomy, and communication skills. Once each week, content-area teachers co-teach in a flexible, nontraditional framework that allows them to target specific standards, deepen professional expertise, and tailor instruction for meaningful growth.
• Writing Lab helps students develop strong voices as writers through grammar study in context, purposeful peer feedback, and opportunities for creative and academic expression.
• Spanish Lab expands cultural awareness and language proficiency through rotating, mixed-grade mini-projects involving conversation, reading, media, and real-world applications.
• STEM Lab immerses students in engineering challenges, collaborative design, and hands-on exploration that expands math and science skills while fueling confidence in STEM pathways.
Rotating through labs allows students to learn from multiple trusted adults, collaborate with different peers, and engage with content at the level that best supports their continued growth. These labs are rigorous, joyful, and deeply empowering — equipping girls to become confident communicators, global citizens, and innovative thinkers.
Our goal is not simply to accelerate students into the most advanced coursework possible, nor to collect high school credits for the sake of checking boxes. Our goal is to develop young people who step into new environments ready to lead, ready to rise, and ready to handle challenges with competence and confidence. This readiness is rooted in every dimension of our program — academics, outdoor education, social-emotional learning — and in the habits of self-discipline, resilience, empathy, and responsibility that students practice daily. When they leave FBRA, our students are not just prepared for the next step — they are excited for it.
