Abel and Raquel Nunez have called Odessa home for many years. As proud parents of two daughters, they’ve always prioritized education and personal growth for their children.
When it came time for their daughters to start school, Abel and Raquel opted for private education. However, they soon became concerned about the culture their kids were exposed to, even in this environment.
“We pulled them out of private school a little over a year ago and started homeschooling,” Abel explained. “We were looking for a new private school, but all of them had waitlists that were two years out.”
This challenge sparked an idea: what if they opened their own private school? Abel and Raquel weren’t alone in this vision—fellow parents Natalia Ponce and Brittany Silvas, who shared similar concerns, joined them in taking the leap.
“It started with the four of us parents,” Abel said. “We wanted our kids to get a solid education while also learning real-world skills.”
Nerd Academy Board Members: Abel Nunez, Raquel Nunez, Natalia Garcia, Brittany Silvas
In October 2024, The Nerd Academy officially opened its doors. The school focuses on the fundamentals—reading, writing, and math—while offering a curriculum designed to reflect the modern world.
“One unique program we’ve developed is PetroSTEAM,” Abel shared. “It’s a STEAM-based curriculum with a focus on the oil and gas industry, which drives our local economy. We want students to understand how the world around them works.”
The Nerd Academy’s innovative approach also includes coding lessons for kids as young as six, social-emotional learning (SEL), and hands-on projects in urban development through its upcoming CitySTEAM program.
In addition to its academic rigor, the school enforces a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. “We understand how bullying can affect a child’s well-being and their ability to learn,” Raquel explained. “That’s why we focus on creating a safe, inclusive environment where every student feels supported and valued.”
Currently, The Nerd Academy is accepting applications for Kindergarten through 4th grade. The school began with just seven students but is aiming to grow to 30 by the spring 2024-2025 semester.
“Our goal is to educate our students and to empower them with skills and confidence for life,” Abel said.
Comments 2
This is amazing 🤩 congratulations Brittany my friend & all of fellow friends of Britt! So proud of you all & happy to see a change in the school district that focus on real life education that will prepare our kids after graduation. I’d rather be at easy full of trust & joy especially knowing my friend is there to protect my son when time to join upcoming years when he’s old enough. 🥰 question, how much is this private school? Starting kindergarten
Author
Thank you for your kind words, we’ll pass them on to Britt 🙂 for more info on tuition please visit our tuition page: https://thenerdacademy.com/nerd-academy-tuition-rates/