Master More. Learn Anywhere. Develop Real Skills for Real Life.
Mastery-based learning that closes academic gaps, accelerates growth, & develops life skills that traditional schools rarely have time to teach
2026 Summer Mastery Lab Enrollment is Open!
June 22 – August 7, 2026
12:30 - 3:30 EST
Ages 8 to 12
Click the Summer Mastery Lab link for more details
Offering mastery-based instruction in ELA & Math, plus real-life skills such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship, & more! Flexible enrollment options let you join for a single week or multiple weeks, with discounted rates available for 4-week & 7-week packages. Early Registration Discount — enroll by June 7, 2026, $100 off
2026-27 Microschool Enrollment is Open!
August 17, 2026 – June 3, 2027
Click the Mircroschool link for more details
Built around three commitments: strong academics, whole-child growth, & real-world learning. Early Enrollment Discount — Save 10% off your first 2 months of tuition when you enroll before July 1. Applies to both monthly and yearly plans.
Two cohort options: 9:00 – 12:00 | 12:30 – 3:30 EST
Grades 3-5
Most schools were built for a different era
A different kind of school
Schools designed decades ago weren't built around how kids actually learn. Parents want something better for their child.
Traditional classrooms
Built for the average. When a teacher has 25 kids, the lesson targets the middle. Strong students coast. Struggling students quietly fall further behind.
Homeschooling
Students learning entirely at home often miss the energy of peers, the rhythm of a school day, & an expert guiding the work.
Other online learning programs & schools
Limited direct instruction, guidance, & academic challenges
Poor pacing for advanced students
Unclear academic expectations
Uncertainty if students are truly meeting standards
Your child deserves a school built around them
What we believe
Big Domes Academy is a small-group microschool for grades 3 through 5. We believe kids learn best when the work is right at their level, not too easy, not overwhelming. That's what we build every day.
We believe school should fit into a child's life, not swallow it whole. Students here have time left for the things that shape who they become.
What makes Big Domes Academy different?
How we do it
Small by design
A low student-to-teacher ratio means your child gets real attention, not just a seat in a room. Daily direct instruction & guided groups.
Work at the right level
No coasting, no struggling in silence. The work is matched to your child's level. Clear learning objectives & outcomes. An accelerated learning environment where advanced students can dive deeper, move faster, & reach higher academic goals.
Built-in accountability & progress tracking
An inclusive environment supporting diverse learners
Specified reteaching & mastery weeks
Communication
Progress you can see. Parents get clear, honest updates. Not just grades. Real insight into how your child is growing.
Life outside school
A focused 3-hour school day means afternoons belong to your child, not to homework & burnout.
2025-26 Student's IXL Real-Time Diagnostic: Scores are measured on a 0–1300 scale to show a student’s level of grade-level mastery. For example, in 3rd grade, a score of 300 represents beginning-of-year mastery, & 390 represents end-of-year mastery.
What happens when a student gets personalized instruction at Big Domes Academy?
These are the results of an 8-year-old student in our microschool from November through June in the 2025–26 school year. He began with an overall math score of 300, with geometry at just 160. After six months of focused, mastery-based instruction, every strand showed measurable growth. His overall math score increased to 505, & his writing strategies score reached 850.
This kind of growth does not happen by chance. It happens when a student is taught at the right level, receives consistent direct feedback, & works with a teacher who understands exactly where the learning gaps are & how to close them.
In just six months, he gained:
+205 points in Math (+2 Grade Level Increase)
+200 points in ELA (+2 Grade Level Increase)
+260 points in Writing (+2.6 Grade Level Increase)
Overall, these gains represent approximately two grade levels of skill growth across multiple subject areas.
Case study: big domes academy microschool 8-year-old, student growtH
Parent Testimonials
What families are saying about Big Domes Academy
Matt is a gifted teacher who has helped our child excel in math & writing skills with his well-thought-out curriculum. He keeps our child excited & engaged to keep learning during their Zoom sessions. We are grateful to have Matt’s help, who specializes in elementary students.
Akiko N.
Santa Barbara, CA
Working with Matt is one of the best decisions we've ever made. Being in a microschool setting has been better for rapid academic progress, customized learning, & a better quality of life. Our son is happier, more relaxed, & loves starting school each day. This is clearly Matt's zone of genius, & we feel lucky to be involved.
Liz L.
Miami, FL
★★★★★
★★★★★
Small groups of 8 students per teacher
Students progress at their own pace with room for enrichment
Weekly reflection & goal-setting build self-awareness & ownership over learning
Real-world projects connect academic skills to practical problem-solving
Two cohort options:
9:00–12:00 EST or 12:30–3:30 EST
Option 1: Academic Support
Targeted math intervention to close skill gaps
Reading comprehension strategies
Writing fundamentals from sentence structure to paragraph development
Option 2: Academic Acceleration & Mentorship
Work 1 to 2 grade levels ahead in core subjects
Advanced writing coaching for clarity, structure, & voice
Build real projects in writing, business, or STEM
Develop independent thinking & learn how to approach complex problems
Create portfolio pieces that open doors for future academic opportunities
Have a K–2 child? If interest grows, we will open a dedicated K–2 cohort.
Program Descriptions
Microschool
Tutoring
Summer Mastery Lab
7-week academic enrichment program
Small groups of 6 students per teacher
2-hour Adaptive Mastery Learning Block with instruction tailored to each student's level
1-hour Life Skills Lab covering public speaking, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, & more
Every student starts with a personalized learning plan on day one
Students move at their own pace & master concepts before moving forward
2026-27 School Year | Grades 3-5
12:30–3:30 EST | Ages 8–12
Grades K–8
June 22 – August 7, 2026
August 17, 2026 – June 3, 2027
Year-Round
See Pricing for more details
The Founder & Lead Instructor
Matt Newell is the founder & lead instructor of Big Domes Academy. He brings a background in business, a Master's in Educational Leadership, & certifications in both General & Special Education. Matt came into teaching with a clear mission: rethink how students learn, & do it better.
He spent over 10 years in public schools before joining an online microschool that promised something different. Sadly, it wasn't meeting the students' needs. They were not growing. Rigor was missing. Accountability was an afterthought.
So he left & built something better.
Big Domes Academy is the result. A learning environment built on strong instruction, real rigor, & mastery-based practices. A place where students are challenged, supported, & expected to grow.
Matt Newell
Ready to take the next step?
Create My Free Learning Plan Steps
1) Complete the form to schedule your Discovery Call
2) Meet with us to discuss your child’s needs & goals
3) Receive a personalized learning plan
4) Complete enrollment & payment if you choose to move forward
Contact Us
Reach out anytime for questions or support
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Office Hours M-F: 8 AM-4:30 PM EST
"Master More. Learn Anywhere. Develop Real Skills for Real Life."