Why We Started Courage Lab Academy

By Lindsay Hsieh

If you asked ten-years-ago Kenny and Lindsay what they would do in the future we never could have guessed that we would start a school. Like so many parents, we started out trusting that the public education system(which we ourselves grew up in) would provide our daughter with what she needed: a love of learning, a solid foundation in essential skills, and the ability to think critically and independently. And in many ways, her traditional public school experience did just that. She had wonderful teachers, made great friends, and learned many things. But over time, we noticed something unsettling.

She was moving through concepts at the school’s predetermined pace, not her own. When she struggled with a skill, the class moved on before she had truly mastered it. We supplemented at home, paid for tutoring after school, and did everything we could to help her catch up—but sometimes, it wasn’t enough. Then, when the next unit built upon those shaky foundations, her confidence took a hit. She began to say things that broke our heart like, “I’m stupid.” or “I’m just not good at math” when in fact the opposite was true! We knew that she was very bright - not just by our own biased standards but overall - she said things while her report cards said that she was doing very well in most areas - even math! She simply needed a little more time to master certain concepts. 

Other times, the opposite happened—she grasped concepts quickly and was eager to keep going, but she was forced to wait until the rest of the class caught up. Even though technology could have allowed her to move forward, the structure of school and the demands of homework left little time for deeper exploration. We felt the need to prioritize other important aspects of childhood that are formative for children - family time, free play and sports. Not to mention healthy habits like a consistent sleep schedule and family dinners. It was starting to seem impossible to schedule everything in.

That was when we realized the traditional public school system itself—not the teachers, not the students—wasn’t built for individualized learning. It was designed for efficiency, for large groups, for moving students along at the same pace regardless of their actual understanding.

We began researching alternatives and stumbled upon mastery-based, self-paced learning. The idea that a child should truly understand a concept before moving forward—rather than being pushed ahead or told to wait because a calendar dictated it—resonated deeply. This wasn’t just about academics; it was about building confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

At the same time, I reflected on my own school experience. I remembered the anxiety of test-taking—not because I wasn’t capable, but because I was afraid of failure. School had conditioned me to see failure as something to be avoided, rather than a necessary and valuable part of learning. If I had been in an environment where I could fail safely, try again, and be supported through the process, I may have been a different kind of learner.

We knew we needed a different kind of school. One that prioritized self-paced, mastery-based learning—where students didn’t just move forward because it was time but because they were truly ready. A school that valued Socratic discussion, where children learn how to think, not just what to think. A school that embraced failure as part of the learning process, helping students develop resilience and confidence instead of anxiety.

We searched for such a school in our area. We looked at public school alternatives, but none fully embraced mastery-based learning. Private schools offered smaller class sizes but were largely traditional in their approach. Homeschooling co-ops had great communities but lacked the structured Socratic discussions we had come to value. There were a few microschools that fit the bill—but they were too far away to be a viable option.

So, we made a bold decision. We would create the school we wished had existed—for our daughter and for other families who believed in the same principles.

Courage Lab Academy was born.

At Courage Lab, we believe that learning should be individualized, self-driven, and based on true understanding rather than arbitrary timelines. We believe in equipping students with critical thinking skills, self-awareness, and the courage to take risks—because real learning happens when students step outside their comfort zones and push their own boundaries.

We know there are other parents out there who believe the same. Parents who see that traditional school models aren’t designed to meet each child where they are. Parents who want an environment where their child is challenged, supported, and empowered to take ownership of their learning.

If that resonates with you, you’re not alone. We built Courage Lab for students like ours, for families like yours.

We’d love for you to join us.

Welcome to Courage Lab Academy.