January 16 - By Abby Tsao

Why Launch Studio Is Charged at Half Tuition

In Launch Studio, we intentionally charge half tuition because the structure and purpose of high school at OliveWood is different from our younger studios.

High school students benefit most from deep, discussion-based learning — the kind that happens when students wrestle with ideas, defend their thinking, listen well, and grow in maturity through conversation. That’s why our time together in Launch focuses on Socratic, dialogue-driven courses like history, literature, and worldview. These subjects are best learned through discussion, not through worksheets or lectures.

At the same time, we recognize that high school students also need additional courses such as math, science, foreign language, and electives. Families often choose to pursue those through online programs, tutors, dual enrollment, or other resources outside of OliveWood — and we don’t want to prevent or limit families from doing what’s best for their student.

Rather than trying to provide every subject, we focus our shared time on what can’t be easily replicated elsewhere: critical thinking, meaningful discussion, communication, leadership, and worldview formation in a learning community.

Charging half tuition reflects that balance — families are investing in OliveWood for the relational, discussion-rich core of high school, while still having the freedom to build the rest of their student’s academic program in the way that fits their goals.