Introduction
When a new, innovative school opens its doors, it’s natural for questions to arise. At Nerd Academy, we welcome these conversations because we believe that parents deserve transparency when choosing the right educational environment for their children. Some of the most common questions we hear are about teacher certification, school accreditation, and whether credits will transfer to public schools.
Let’s address these questions head-on with facts, context, and clarity—while also explaining why Nerd Academy’s unique approach to education provides an experience that prioritizes what truly matters: your child’s learning, growth, and success.
Are Your Teachers Certified? Let’s Talk About the Bigger Picture
First, let’s set the record straight with facts about teacher certification in Texas:
- In the 2023-2024 school year, 31% of teachers hired in public schools across Texas were not certified.
- That number jumps to 60% for teachers in charter schools, where flexibility in hiring practices is often necessary to meet staffing needs.
- Additionally, due to the ongoing teacher shortage, many public schools rely on substitute teachers, who are not required to be certified in Texas, to take on full-time teaching responsibilities.
If certification were the ultimate measure of teacher quality, these numbers would raise serious concerns about public education. However, what truly matters isn’t certification alone—it’s experience, skills, and a passion for teaching students effectively.
At Nerd Academy – While our teachers are not yet certified, they bring valuable experience to the classroom:
- Degrees in relevant fields.
- Experience as substitute teachers in public schools or as homeschool educators.
- A deep understanding of how to adapt instruction to meet student needs.
- Our Director of Specialized Curriculum has a background as a military instructor, where they developed training programs for over 10,000 Airmen annually. Their expertise in curriculum development, instruction, and leadership has been instrumental in preparing our teachers to deliver programs like PetroSTEAM, AI and Digital Media Literacy, Coding, and SEL effectively.
Just like Ector County Independent School District (ECISD) has a Pathway to Teaching Program to prepare uncertified teachers for the classroom, we have developed our own training program. Our teachers are trained to deliver the specialized, innovative curriculum that makes Nerd Academy unique and equips students with the skills they need for the future.
What About Accreditation? The Truth About Private Schools
Here’s something many people may not realize: Accreditation is optional for private schools in Texas. While it can offer certain benefits, it is not a guarantee of quality education. If accreditation were the ultimate measure of success, we wouldn’t see:
- Poor literacy rates in public schools.
- Students falling behind grade-level expectations in core subjects like math and reading.
At Nerd Academy, we’ve chosen not to pursue accreditation at this time because it does not align with our mission to innovate and offer student-centered learning. Instead, we focus on what really makes a difference for students:
- Small Class Sizes: With fewer students in each classroom, our teachers have the time and capacity to identify students who need extra support and provide individualized instruction to help them master TEKS standards for their grade level.
- Innovative Curriculum: Programs like PetroSTEAM, AI and Digital Media Literacy, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) ensure students are not only mastering foundational skills in reading, writing, and math but are also prepared for the future workforce.
Accreditation and teacher certification are tools—but they are not guarantees of success. What makes a difference is a dedicated school environment where teachers can focus on helping every student thrive.
What About Transferring Credits?
For families who may wonder about credits transferring from Nerd Academy to a public school, rest assured that this concern is largely a non-issue:
- Private schools in Texas are allowed to set their own standards and policies.
- Public schools in Texas often evaluate student performance through placement tests, transcripts, or work samples when a child transfers.
At Nerd Academy, our small class sizes and focus on mastering TEKS standards ensure that our students are academically prepared for a smooth transition into public school, should families decide to make that choice.
The Bottom Line: What Sets Nerd Academy Apart
At Nerd Academy, we prioritize the individual needs of our students over checkboxes like certification or accreditation. Here’s what you can expect from our school:
- Small Class Sizes: Personalized instruction to ensure no child is left behind.
- Innovative Curriculum: Programs like PetroSTEAM and AI Literacy that go beyond traditional education to prepare students for real-world challenges.
- Dedicated Teachers: Educators who bring degrees, experience, and a passion for teaching, trained through our own specialized program to deliver exceptional learning.
- Core Academic Strength: A focus on building strong skills in reading, writing, and math without the pressure of standardized testing.
Final Thoughts
We understand that when people question teacher certification or accreditation, it often comes from a place of concern—or sometimes skepticism. However, we also know that education is evolving, and parents are seeking schools that offer real results, not just a list of credentials.
At Nerd Academy, we are redefining what education can look like: innovative, forward-thinking, and laser-focused on the success of every child.
If you want to learn more about how Nerd Academy can benefit your child, we invite you to visit us, meet our team, and see our programs in action. Contact us today by calling (432) 257-3030.
It’s not the certificate on the wall that makes a great teacher—it’s the heart in the classroom.