New School Option Comes to Marble Falls: Live Oak Leadership Academy

We’re pleased to welcome Live Oak Leadership Academy (LOLA) to the Marble Falls community. LOLA is a private non-profit school that focuses on the development of leadership skills with a 21st century emphasis on communication, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. The academy has launched pre-registration for the 2021 -22 school year, expanding to Grades 1-5, with eventual expansion through Grade 8 and relocation to the Horseshoe Bay area.

LOLA is operated by experienced professionals with a true passion for education. Based on a whole-child philosophy, students will experience a very personalized approach to challenging academics.

“It’s been fun,” said Amy Jacobs, Ed.D., CEO/Executive Director of Hill Country Ed Leadership, who has worked in the education industry for 25 years. “We have already received data that reading levels are showing students progressing two and three steps above expected grade level growth.”

Since it’s estimated that more than 85 percent of the jobs available by 2030 haven’t been invented yet, the academy focuses on teaching students real-world problem solving. Students will:

• Learn how to balance work and play
• Identify a problem and take the steps needed to solve the problem
• Participate in hands-on learning
• Receive small group instruction to enhance learning plans, with class sizes of 15 or less
• Receive Integrated curriculum across subject areas with real-world application
• Develop self-awareness and self-management skills to foster a safe environment

“We connect student learning to the real world,” Jacobs said. “Learning activities are every bit engaged, hands-on and connected. For example, students learn math during outside education activities. We have such a wide variety of enrichment opportunities. Students learn the skills they need through the activities they love.”

Jacobs said the academy works with students to find individualized learning styles that works for them. Their program is built on way gifted students learn, which helps all students build and nurture their gifts and talents.

The academy offers a wide range of learning opportunities, including humanities, social studies, science, math and STEM learning activities, with a heavy focus on fine arts. Robotics, health and wellness, Spanish, financial literacy, plus life-long physical education such as yoga, tennis and golf, as well as instruction in team sports, such as soccer and baseball, are offered.

Students study specific industries based on workforce findings per grade level, for example, medical or veterinary studies.

Regarding COVID-19, the academy will follow all local state and national mandates, keeping safety at the forefront, with options for parents that include both face-to-face and at-home learning.

In addition to student learning, LOLA’s goal is to deliver educational trainings to teachers throughout the community, allowing teachers to see training in action.

“Today’s learners need to be 21st century proficient, but also understand the learning behind it and develop a wide range of skills,” Jacobs said.

For more information, visit https://www.hcedleadership.com/lola

Located in charming Marble Falls, Texas this 240-acre master-planned community is northwest of Austin and is anticipated to be home to approximately 700 single-family and 250 multi-family residences. A central community area with an outdoor pool, ramada, barbecue area, shaded play area and bocce ball and horseshoe pits are planned. Gregg Ranch outdoor amenities will also include 5.5 miles of jogging and biking trails throughout the community, plus a dog park. The community is conveniently located at the intersection of State Highways 281 and 71, and is a short drive to Lake Marble Falls, Lake LBJ and the famed Texas Lake and Hill Country. Visit http://greggranch.com/ to learn more.