A ‘High-Thought, Low-Tech’ Microschool in the Heart of Fairfax
EdNews Virginia | March 20, 2026
ARLINGTON, VA — While many schools are embracing “educational technology,” Northern Virginia Classical Academy (NVCA) is offering families a “high-thought, low-tech” alternative. As a featured exhibitor at EdReform Virginia’s March 7 school choice event, the academy’s founder, Dr. Jaime Osborne, shared her vision for a microschool that values human connection over digital trends.
Restoring Childhood
During EdReform Virginia’s March 7 roundtable, Osborne — a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience — described her motivations behind launching NVCA. One of the most resonant moments of the discussion came when Osborne described the school’s “screens-off” environment.
The mission, she explained, is to “give children their childhood back.” By removing the constant hum of electronic distractions, NVCA intends to create a space where students can focus more on thoughtful reading and real conversation.
A Unique, Secular Alternative
Unlike many classical schools in the region, NVCA is strictly non-sectarian and secular. This makes it a serious contender for families wanting a rigorous, knowledge-based education without a religious affiliation.
Located in the heart of Fairfax City, the school offers a traditional education to students through:
- Core Knowledge Mastery: A content-rich curriculum that emphasizes history, literature and the sciences.
- Classical Foundations: Including Latin, grammar, logic and rhetoric.
- Four-Day Week: In a unique move for local families, NVCA operates on a Monday–Thursday schedule.
Why It Matters for the Parent Revolution
The emergence of NVCA highlights the growing demand for diverse educational models. With its truly secular, classical curriculum and its four-day schedule, the school currently occupies a distinctive niche in the local education market. Interested families can visit NVCA’s official website to learn more.