Welcome to Sunnyside Academy!

We invite you to explore our unique approach, where students are celebrated as individuals and where meaningful relationships and personalized instruction drive growth.

Why Sunnyside Academy Microschool?

The face of education is changing. What worked in the past may not be the best option anymore. Covid exacerbated this in many ways. Students, teachers, parents and the entire educational system feel this strain. Microschools are a progressive and expanding option for families nationally.

Experienced, Certified and Trained Teachers

The teachers at Sunnyside Academy are experienced, certified and trained educators.

4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Our 4:1 student teacher ratio sets us apart from other models and students are members of a close knit and highly individualized community of learners.

Tailored Curriculum & Teaching Methods

Sunnyside Academy puts a strong emphasis on tailoring the curriculum, teaching methods and support structures to meet the unique needs of each student.

Focused Instruction Based on Every Learner

The focus of instruction at Sunnyside Academy is that every learner is different with varying strengths, challenges, interests and learning styles.

Providing Each Student With A Love For Learning

The aim is to help each student develop a love for learning, become self-motivated and prepare them for lifelong success - academically, socially and emotionally.

LEARN MORE

Sunnyside Academy is a proud member of the National Microschool Center

The VELA Founder Network is the nation's leading community of entrepreneurs providing alternatives to conventional schooling. Sunnyside Academy is a Vela Founder and 2025 recipient of a Vela founder micro grant.

MTC schools are reimagining what students learn in high school, and how they best learn it. They embrace real-world, collaborative, project-based learning, and prioritize 21st Century skills, SEL, and meta-cognitive skills. Member school leaders appreciate that traditional ways of reporting on student progress are poorly aligned to learning models of the future.

Student wearing glasses comfortable on a couch writing with a pencil

students enjoying volleyball outside in the grass on a sunny day

student in a bright yellow shirt and pink shorts laying on the carpet floor doing homework with a tablet writing on paper with a pencil

teacher with students sitting outside planting seeds in planting containers

single student sitting at a table working on homework

two students lounging on pink chairs comfortably

teacher working with a young student wearing glasses

Two teachers and three students sitting at a picnic table in the grass smiling

teacher working with three students learning a science experiment

Established in 2021, Sunnyside Academy is a private, multi-age micro school located in Columbia, South Carolina. At Sunnyside, we believe that every student, if the method, pace and approach is designed for personalized learning, can be successful. We understand the value of this social and emotional growth and believe this to be is a vital component to achieving optimum academic success.

What parents have to say about Sunnyside:

"We will always be thankful for Sunnyside Academy. Micro schools are a special place that helps children in a way that other schools are not capable."

"There are not enough words to describe our gratitude... for the safe, inviting and warm place you've created. For the peace of mind you provide. For the love of learning you instill, the team you've pulled together. For the progress our child has made, for seeing her, loving her and welcoming her as she is -and offering her a place to call home."

What our students have to say about Sunnyside:

"This opportunity has brought out the best in me. Thank y'all so much"

"Sunnyside has stolen my heart."

"This school saved my life."

" I like it here because I don't feel like I"m going to a place where I will be disrespected."

"I love my new school at Sunnyside"

Become Part of the Sunnyside Family! Contact Us Today.

"Building a child's emotional intelligence is a straightforward way to enhance physical and mental health, memory, decision-making,creativity, relationships, grades and job performance. "

- Daniel Goleman

Psychologist and Author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ