A New Kind of School in Lawrence: Why One Mom Is Launching a Christian Microschool for a New Generation

Pauline Rivera
Jun 16
3 min read

Updated: Jun 25

In a quiet corner of Lawrence, Kansas, a bold educational shift is taking root. After years of homeschooling her five children and working in both public and Christian school settings, Jodi Schlesener is stepping into a new chapter: launching a learner-driven Christian microschool called Apogee Alpha and Omega.

Set to open in Fall 2025, the school is part of the growing Apogee Strong network—an innovative movement designed to offer students purpose-driven education rooted in faith, family, and freedom.

A Long Road Toward a Clear Vision

Jodi’s journey into alternative education began decades ago when she encountered public school classrooms during her time as a student teacher. What she saw—disorder, disengaged students, and rigid systems—convinced her early on that traditional education wasn’t where she belonged. Instead, she chose to homeschool her five children, customizing their learning journeys from kindergarten through high school.

When her youngest graduated in 2020, Jodi began asking herself what was next. With years of educational experience and a heart for discipleship, she didn’t want to return to the broken systems she had left behind—but she wasn’t ready to walk away from education either.

That’s when she found Apogee.

What Makes Apogee Different?

The Apogee model blends self-paced academics with project-based learning and Socratic dialogue. Students work through core subjects on their own time while diving into collaborative quests focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, trades, or classical ideas. The model is intentionally flexible, designed to foster creativity, confidence, and critical thinking.

Apogee’s mission goes beyond academics. It’s deeply focused on character formation, with a strong emphasis on family involvement and life skills. Parents who enroll their children also gain access to Apogee’s Man and Woman programs—mentorship series designed to rebuild personal responsibility and purpose in the home.

This integrated approach—developing both students and their families—is what drew Jodi in.

A School Built on Legacy, Faith, and Community

Jodi named the school Alpha and Omega in honor of her late father, whose unexpected passing left her with both a legacy of faith and the means to invest in something lasting. With the help of a local church that offered a rent-free wing of their building—fully remodeled and unused since COVID—she began laying the groundwork for her vision.

While she isn't a member of that church, the leadership welcomed the mission and partnered willingly. For Jodi, the open doors confirmed what she already sensed: this school was meant to happen.

Early Opposition and Steadfast Commitment

Not everyone was excited about a new Christian school in town. A simple yard sign outside the church prompted pushback in a local Facebook group, with the school being unfairly labeled as extremist. Rather than retaliate, Jodi chose to respond in kindness. One commenter even reached out later to apologize and amend their remarks.

Moments like this haven’t shaken her resolve. On the contrary, they’ve deepened her conviction that now is the time to act. As she put it:

“If I’m not willing to be part of the solution, then I’m part of the problem… There’s no middle ground.”

Raising Up Brave Kids in a Culture of Confusion

One of the first families to enroll at Apogee, Alpha, and Omega did so after their daughter faced backlash in a public school assignment for standing up for her faith. Rather than compromising, she chose to take a zero rather than write a paper honoring a Roman deity. Her parents supported her choice and began searching for an educational environment that would align with their beliefs.

Stories like these fuel Jodi’s mission. She’s building a school where children can grow in confidence, truth, and resilience—free from ideological pressure and rooted in biblical worldview.

Not Just a School—A Call to Action

For Jodi, opening a school isn’t just about offering another option. It’s about becoming part of the solution. She sees too many families stuck—wanting something different but unsure where to begin. Her message is clear: start where you are, and do what you can.

Whether it’s opening your church building, volunteering your skills, or stepping out to start something new, everyone has a role to play in reclaiming education for the next generation.