REFINE is all about helping kids discover their world & themselves through our unique process of Challenge, Creativity, & Connection.
REFINE Hybrid Academy is Fairbanks' new micro school option for homeschoolers, held at Ruby Studio just across from Costco. REFINE is a part-time learning community for homeschool students aged 7-12. We believe education is not just about learning facts—it’s about discovering your potential through real-life challenges.
Our program offers homeschool students the freedom to engage in core subjects at home while spending two inspiring studio days each week in action; exploring new ways to learn and engage with the world around them.
OUR APPROACH
Each student’s journey at REFINE is built around a three-year history cycle, where they dive into the most impactful figures and events in history. Through Socratic discussions, they explore the triumphs and struggles of humanity, drawing lessons they can apply to their own lives and projects.
A typical day at REFINE is structured yet flexible, with time for both group learning and individual exploration.
-
Mornings: Focus on history-based Socratic discussions where students develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills. This year we're excited to be studying the Middle Ages and the Early Renaissance! (Next year Modern History)
-
Afternoons: Hands-on activities in creative arts, exploratory learning time, and lastly, their personal business projects. Students apply their learning in real-world scenarios, developing practical skills. Every student at REFINE is paired with a local business mentor to work on their own entrepreneurial projects. These real-world projects teach important lessons in perseverance, risk-taking, and creativity. Students apply everything they learn in the classroom to create something meaningful—whether it’s a business, an art project, or a community service initiative.
Each Day: Focus on growth, challenge, and learning that can be applied in real life.
-
Our curriculum is based on the classical learning method and intentionally aligns with Charlotte Mason and Classical Conversations.
Key Facets of REFINE
-
FREEDOM - Families implement core studies at home.
-
EXPRESSION - Each day we dive into History-Based Discussions: In-depth Socratic dialogues around key human triumphs and challenges.
-
ACTION - Hands-On Project Based Learning: Creative arts, science, culinary arts, community service and more.
-
MENTORSHIP - Our students then apply all of their learning both at home and at REFINE into their very own business project & paired with a local mentor to guide their entrepreneurial journey.
-
​COURAGE - We're not afraid of failure, rather we learn to allow our mistakes to inform us and help us grow and make better choices.
-
REFINEMENT - and the beauty that can come from it.
REFINE 2025-26 Schedule
Four 7 week sessions, each Thursday & Friday
We will meet on Thursdays and Fridays
of each week from 10:00am to 4:00pm
-
Session #1:
Dates: Thursdays & Fridays, Sept 4 & 5 – Oct 17, 2025
Break Week: Oct 20-24, 2025 -
Session #2:
Dates: Thursdays & Fridays, Oct 30 & 31 – Nov 21, 2025
Break for Thanksgiving: Nov 22-28, 2025
Finish Session #2: Dec 4 & 5 – Dec 18 & 19, 2025 (Christmas Party, Dec 19th. Families of students welcome and encouraged to attend!) -
Winter Break:
Dates: Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 14, 2026 -
Session #3:
Dates: Thursdays & Fridays, Jan 15 & 16 – Feb 19 & 20, 2026
Break Week: Feb 23-27, 2026 -
Session #4:
Dates: Thursdays & Fridays, March 5 & 6 – March 26 & 27, 2026
Spring Break: March 30 – April 8, 2026
Finish Session #4: April 9 & 10 – April 23 & 24, 2026
Key Events:
-
Kids Biz Fair: May 2, 2026
-
REFINE Family Fun Days: May 7 & 8, 2026 (Field Trip, Success Celebration)
Parents have the desire to enrich their children’s learning experience with hands-on activities, creative arts, and project based learning, but many find it difficult to be consistent in this type of learning in the home due to, let’s be honest, THE MESS and the time commitment. REFINE hybrid academy exists to help parents give their kids the education they deserve. Partner with us, and just IMAGINE the possibilities!
TUITION
REGISTRATION FEE
Non-refundable $150 annual registration fee, per student.
Non-refundable $150 supply fee, per student
REFINE TUITION BREAKDOWN
Our school year will consist of four 7-week Sessions (see above schedule)
We will meet on Thursdays and Fridays of each week from 10:00am to 4:00pm. ​​
$350 per session for all students registered after July 1st, 2025.
Hold your spot before July 1st and receive the
EARLY BIRD RATE of $240 per 7 Week Session, less than $20 per day.
Due to the limited amount of spots available, we require a full year commitment and either full payment for the year or a signed agreement to pay via our direct vendor homeschool allotment option. (Details on that below.)
RUBY STUDIO MUSIC LESSON DISCOUNT
All REFINE students AND their nuclear families will receive 20% off of their music lessons at Ruby Studio. We also offer direct billing for music lessons. (see our MUSIC LESSON page for more details.
​
​
​
HOMESCHOOL DIRECT BILLING
We love serving our homeschool families!
REFINE Hybrid Academy is proud to offer direct billing through IDEA, CYBERLYNX, and most other umbrella programs.
To align with homeschool billing cycles, we submit tuition in two parts—once in September and again in January—covering Session #2 and Session #4.
Due to the delayed reimbursement process from these organizations, we require families to pay for Session #1 and Session #3, as well as the $150 registration fee and $150 supply fee,
upfront by cash or check in order to hold your child’s spot.
You may then submit your receipt to your umbrella school for reimbursement
of these out-of-pocket costs.
Our classes and services are fully reimbursable with submission of receipt. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any inquiries & let us help make the most of your child's amazing opportunity to homeschool in the great state of Alaska!