About Olympus Learning Academy
A small, close-knit private school in Abilene built around curiosity, character, and academic excellence for students in grades K through 8.
A Private School Built for the Way Kids Actually Learn
Olympus Learning Academy is a mastery-based private school in Abilene designed to develop thinkers, creators, and leaders through personalized learning, real-world application, and character development. This is not a traditional classroom; it is a small, intentional learning community where every student is known by name and taught at their level. Students are not moved forward by the calendar; they advance when they have truly mastered the material. Every family that walks through our doors finds a school that takes the time to understand their child as an individual. Olympus Learning Academy was built for students who deserve more than a one-size-fits-all education.
Our Vision
We envision a new model of education where students progress through stages of mastery, developing the skills, mindset, and leadership needed to thrive in life. Rather than sorting students by age or grade level, we honor where each child is and guide them purposefully forward. Our five-stage progression, Seeker, Explorer, Pathfinder, Champion, and Legend, reflects a belief that growth is a journey, not a deadline. We see a future where every student leaves our school with confidence, capability, and a genuine love of learning. That vision shapes every decision we make at Olympus Learning Academy.
Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate confident, capable learners by combining academic excellence, personal growth, and purpose-driven education in a supportive, trauma-informed environment.
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Students advance based on understanding, not seat time.
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Students earn badges such as Athena (Wisdom), Apollo (Creativity), and Ares (Courage) to demonstrate growth across academic and personal domains.
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Learning is applied through meaningful, real-world projects that build deeper understanding and lasting retention.
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Each student follows a customized learning journey based on their individual needs, strengths, and pace.
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Emotional safety, strong relationships, and student well-being are the foundation of everything we do.
What Makes Olympus Learning Academy Different
Olympus Learning Academy was built on a simple belief: students learn best when instruction meets them where they are. Every element of our model is designed with that in mind, from the way students advance to the way growth is recognized and celebrated. Small class sizes mean every student receives targeted instruction, meaningful feedback, and a teacher who genuinely knows them. Our approach combines academic rigor with character development, because we believe both matter equally. The result is a learning environment unlike anything available in a traditional school setting.
Her teaching approach is trauma-informed and relationship-centered, recognizing that students learn best when they feel safe, understood, and supported. With intentionally small class sizes, Michele is able to know each student personally and tailor instruction to meet their individual strengths, needs, and learning pace.
In addition to her classroom experience, Michele is also a curriculum creator and published author, designing learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, and meaningful engagement with ideas. Her interdisciplinary approach helps students connect knowledge across subjects and develop the intellectual independence needed for lifelong learning.
Beyond academics, Michele is a classically trained pianist, bringing an appreciation for music, creativity, and the arts into the learning environment. She believes that education should nurture the whole child — intellectually, creatively, and personally.
The microschool she founded was created with a simple but powerful vision:
to provide a small, highly personalized learning community where students are truly known, challenged academically, and guided toward becoming thoughtful, capable young people.
For families seeking an alternative to large, impersonal classrooms, Michele’s microschool offers something rare — direct mentorship from a veteran educator with decades of experience and a deep commitment to each student’s growth.
Meet Your Child's Teacher
Michele Hickerson brings more than 30 years of professional educational experience to the families she serves. Throughout her career, she has worked across elementary and secondary education, developing a reputation for helping students build strong academic foundations while also nurturing confidence, character, and a love of learning.
Michele holds professional certifications in Elementary Education, Secondary Science, Special Education, English Language Learners, and Principal Leadership, giving her a rare breadth of expertise in both instruction and school leadership. She is also a Master Reading Teacher and Reading Interventionist, specializing in helping students strengthen literacy skills and develop deeper comprehension and critical thinking.
The Values That Drive Everything We Do
Academic Excellence
We hold every student to high academic standards while delivering instruction in a way that is accessible, engaging, and genuinely effective for each individual learner.
Character Development
No surprises, no runaround. We keep you informed with transparent planning and execution from start to finish.
The Whole Child
We see every student as a complete person with unique strengths, challenges, and potential. Our job is to nurture all of it, not just the parts that show up on a standardized test.
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Every legendary journey begins with a single step. Seekers are just beginning their Olympus experience, learning routines, building habits, and discovering their strengths as a learner and as a person.
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Explorers are gaining confidence and momentum. They are completing projects, following routines, and beginning to set their own academic and personal goals as they climb higher up the mountain.
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Pathfinders have earned multiple badges and are taking on major projects. They are developing deep focus, strong academic skills, and the discipline to push through challenges on their own terms.
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Champions have demonstrated mastery across multiple areas. They are leading activities, completing major projects, and serving as examples of excellence for the entire Olympus learning community.
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Legends have earned all seven Olympus badges, completed a Capstone Project, and demonstrated true mastery of academics, character, and leadership. They have reached the summit of Mount Olympus and earned their place among the legendary.
The Olympus Journey: Five Stages of Growth
Students at Olympus Learning Academy progress through five stages of growth, advancing not by age or grade level but by readiness and demonstrated mastery. Each stage is designed to build on the last, creating a clear and purposeful path from foundational learning all the way to leadership and real-world impact. Students enter at the Seeker stage, where they build habits and curiosity, and work their way toward becoming Legends who lead, mentor, and create. No student is rushed forward before they are ready, and no student is held back when they are capable of more. Every step of the journey is supported, celebrated, and personalized to the individual child.
What We Believe and What It Produces
The philosophy behind Olympus Learning Academy is grounded in a simple truth: when students feel safe, known, and genuinely supported, they are capable of remarkable growth. Every decision we make, every lesson we design, and every relationship we build is rooted in that belief. We believe learning should be meaningful, engaging, and connected to real life rather than reduced to test preparation. We believe relationships are the foundation of effective education and that every child deserves a teacher who truly sees them. When those beliefs are put into practice every single day, the results speak for themselves.
We Believe:
Every child is capable of growth and excellence
Learning should be meaningful and genuinely engaging
Relationships are the foundation of effective education
Students thrive when they feel safe, known, and valued
Education should prepare students for life, not just tests
Students at OLA Develop:
Strong academic foundations
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Confidence and independence
Leadership and communication skills
A genuine love of learning
Ready to Learn More About Olympus Learning Academy
Join our interest list or schedule a conversation to see if OLA is the right fit for your family.