Created by Callum Turner

Published 02/06/26 AT 2:34 PM EST

Wisdom Academy is a public charter school designed to serve families seeking an educational environment that blends academic preparation with character development and practical life skills. With a mission to prepare students for future leadership, Wisdom Academy approaches education as a partnership among students, families, and educators, with learning framed as both an academic and personal journey.

That mission began taking shape well before students arrived. The school officially opened its doors in August 2025 after an extended period of planning, review, and dialogue with authorizing bodies. "This early phase gave our team the space to fine-tune our instructional approach, strengthen our accountability systems, and shape how we partner with families before students joined us," Dr. Javaid Syed, Chairman of Wisdom Academy's Board of Directors, says.

As the school transitions from planning to implementation, its long-term vision is unfolding gradually. Wisdom Academy can serve students through Grade 12, with growth intentionally paced to support continuity and quality. "As we look back on these first few months, we're seeing early signs that our approach is connecting with students and families meaningfully. It's encouraging as we continue to grow and shape the work," Principal Dr. Debra Harrison notes. According to her, this early development is anchored by a dual accountability framework that guides the school's operations.

Wisdom Academy must align with statewide educational standards and undergo ongoing oversight from its charter authorizer, The West Virginia Public Charter School Board. This structure provides room for instructional flexibility while helping ensure clear performance expectations. Provisions for review and potential revocation reinforce accountability as a quality assurance mechanism.

Leadership is pivotal to translating these expectations into daily practice. Harrison brings a background spanning special education, learning disabilities, and educational leadership. Her experience in higher education and district administration informs a perspective that values both instructional rigor and individualized support. "At Wisdom Academy, we believe education works best when we recognize the whole child," Harrison notes. "Academic growth, communication, and character can develop together when educators are given the space to respond to students as individuals." Her leadership emphasizes adaptability within a structured framework, aligning with the school's personalized approach.

Complementing this, Syed contributes an international educational perspective shaped by his upbringing in Pakistan and professional experiences across diverse systems. His global outlook informs the school's emphasis on worldview, responsibility, and civic awareness. "Learning can be more meaningful if we encourage students to understand perspectives beyond their immediate surroundings," he states. Together, the leadership team positions Wisdom Academy as a learning community attentive to both local context and broader global understanding.

This leadership vision is reflected in the school's educational model, which is organized around four foundational pillars. The technology pillar emphasizes fundamental technological skills taught through balanced, teacher-led instruction, with the aim of supporting fluency while maintaining human connection.

Meanwhile, the professional pillar introduces students to workplace environments through guest speakers, job shadowing, and, as grade levels expand, potential internship experiences. Harrison explains, "Opportunities like these can give students a first glimpse into what different careers might look like and help them start thinking about the paths that could interest them."

The entrepreneurial pillar builds on this foundation by encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and basic business literacy, giving students space to explore how ideas might develop into viable pursuits. Complementing these areas, the character pillar integrates monthly character traits into academic instruction. Character education is positioned as an important component of learning and is reinforced through classroom dialogue and initiatives such as a forthcoming Student of the Month program.

Academically, Wisdom Academy aims to align its curriculum with state guidelines while offering flexibility through individualized pathways. "We give each student a personalized plan that highlights their strengths, learning preferences, and the goals they're working toward," Harrison explains. Quarterly meetings with families support shared understanding of progress, and electronic portfolios offer ongoing visibility into student work. High-performing students may advance in specific subjects, while targeted support is available where additional reinforcement could be beneficial, reflecting the school's view that progress may unfold differently for each learner.

Wisdom Academy's development also aligns with broader trends observed in the charter sector. An analysis suggests positive national patterns in student academic growth over time. It also indicates that families who choose charter schools often report high levels of satisfaction with their educational experience. These findings offer context for Wisdom Academy's emergence.

As the school completes its initial academic terms, flexibility in progression and personalized planning continue to shape student experiences. The school's gradual growth plan allows leadership to refine practices while remaining attentive to accountability expectations. Through this lens, Wisdom Academy contributes to the evolving landscape of public charter education, suggesting one way that accountability and whole-child development may coexist within a public framework.