At Joy Village, we focus on mathematics and language arts as core subjects. For math we use Beast Academy, a rigorous curriculum that teaches advanced logic and reasoning skills, and keeps students engaged with a graphic novel format featuring hilarious cartoon beast characters. We teach language arts using a Literacy Studio model, which empowers students as readers and writers by providing them with extended time to practice reading and writing strategies taught in mini lessons. Students will earn badges as they read and publish in various genres.

Legacy Studies weaves together social studies and science into a rich, interdisciplinary exploration of history, community, and the natural world. In social studies, students focus on the stories of Athens’ local Black history, deepened through culturally relevant texts such as Black History 365, the Zinn Education Project, and The 1619 Project. Science lessons build on this by combining hands-on STEM activities with opportunities for nature connection, encouraging students to engage with the questions of environment, technology, and ethics shaping our world.

Joy Village students regularly participate in enrichment classes including visual and performing arts, foreign language, sports, and more! Classes rotate each quarter, exposing students to a range of skills and cultural experiences rarely found in typical school electives.

At Joy Village, the city is our classroom! Our bimonthly “Field Trip Fridays” allow us to get outside the four walls of the school to visit Black historic sites, parks, theaters, museums, local art studios, nearby colleges/universities and more. We also frequently invite community leaders and elders with dynamic stories and skills to share into our school. Our goal is to expose Joy Village students to as many real world cultural experiences as possible.

One of the core values of the Joy Village School is REST. We believe in reserving after school hours for rejuvenating family time and good ole fashioned child-led, play-based learning. And the big secret is…there’s no research basis for the usefulness of nightly homework for young learners anyway!

In addition to traditional report cards, we find portfolio presentations and written narratives on student progress to be useful for painting a more full picture of students' abilities. We believe in letting students SHOW what they know. One of the central traditions of Joy Village is Village Nights - a quarterly night of presentations and performances that allow our students to demonstrate their learning to the whole community! It’s a whole cookout too. You’re invited!