Business Details
33 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Liberal Arts Education in Wichita, KS
Northfield School has been dedicated to classical education since 1993, serving students aged 11-18 through small, personalized classes rooted in the Trivium framework. Our campus, located one block from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, fosters a unique ecosystem of autonomous yet interconnected micro-schools called cohorts. These cohorts empower families and educators to co-create tailored educational experiences while adhering to shared pedagogical standards.Our mission emphasizes wonder, duty, and reverence, preparing students for lifelong learning through rigorous study of grammar, logic, rhetoric, and interdisciplinary subjects. We prioritize depth of relationships over breadth of content, believing this approach cultivates intellectual and personal growth. Our innovative model allows advanced students to access college courses at Friends University, bridging secondary and higher education seamlessly.
Services
Classical Education
Cohort Learning
College Preparation
Latin Instruction
Trivium Curriculum
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized education through small cohort learning communities
- Our Trivium-based curriculum develops critical thinking and communication skills
- We provide college-level opportunities through Friends University partnerships
- Our model combines structured pedagogy with family-led educational innovation
- We emphasize depth of learning and relationships over standardized breadth
Services
Classical Education
Our classical education program employs the Trivium framework (grammar, logic, rhetoric) to develop critical thinking skills. Students engage with timeless texts and interdisciplinary studies, building intellectual foundations through structured analysis and respectful discourse. This approach cultivates clear communication and deep understanding of complex ideas.
Cohort Learning
Cohort learning creates personalized educational experiences through small, family-teacher partnerships. Each cohort operates as an autonomous micro-school while sharing common standards and resources. This model allows tailored approaches to curriculum and instruction while maintaining academic rigor and community connection.
People
Shawna Hein
Head of School
Shawna Hein leads Northfield Academy with 25+ years of experience in classical education. She developed the cohort model that combines structured curriculum with family-led learning, emphasizing college readiness and character development through personalized instruction.
Questions
What educational approach does Northfield use?
We use the classical Trivium framework (grammar, logic, rhetoric) combined with cohort-based learning communities that emphasize personalized instruction and critical thinking.
Are Northfield schools accredited?
While we follow rigorous educational standards, our cohort model focuses on personalized learning rather than traditional accreditation processes. Our emphasis is on depth of learning and relationships.
Can students take college courses?
Yes, qualified juniors and seniors may attend classes at Friends University, providing college-level opportunities while completing high school requirements through our unique partnership.
How are classes structured?
Classes use small cohorts with two deep-dive courses monthly, plus math and Latin. The flexible schedule allows personalized pacing while maintaining academic rigor through shared pedagogical standards.
