Co-Founder of Peak Academy
Educator to Innovator, A True Class Act
Taylor Munro, a dedicated wife, mother and lifelong educator, a resident of Fulbrook’s Lower Oxbow. Her smile widens when asked about her family. "I've been married twenty years to my husband Fraser who’s a structural engineer with BP and a native of Scotland, Ireland. My oldest daughter, Harper is currently a senior at the University of Alabama, and my youngest daughter Riley, is a senior at Fulshear High School and we have a 6-month-old, Cockapoo, named Charlie."
What brought you to Fulbrook and what do you like to do for fun?
We decided to move from Cross Creek to Fulbrook 3 years ago because we admired its uniquely pristine landscape and outdoor space and knew it would be a perfect fit for the family. We love its charm and appreciate the ability to be close to nature. As far as fun goes, Fraser and I attend Weston Lakes house concerts and when I have time, I enjoy repurposing old furniture as a hobby. For the past few years, I've spent most of my time focusing on my true passion, which is a school I co-founded named Peak Academy!
Tell us more about Peak Academy?
Peak Academy is a micro school I co-founded in 2022 with my former colleague turned best friend, Lacey Fickes. Our passion for teaching led us on a transformative journey to becoming the founders of a Peak Academy. With over 40 years of combined teaching experience,
we felt the constraints of the traditional education system stifling our ability to cater to the diversity of our student needs and decided it was time for a change.
What is a Micro-School and how did you come up with the name Peak Academy?
Micro-schools are small, mixed-age, individualized learning communities. As educators, we immersed ourselves in research and attended a 12-week educational entrepreneurship cohort, before delving into the business side of our vision. The name Peak Academy reflects a structured approach for grades K-8, mirroring the progression of a mountain. The Base represents K-2nd grade, the Ridge corresponds to 3rd-5th grade, and the Summit encompasses 6th-8th grade. The ultimate goal is to prepare students for the "Peak" of high school learning upon graduation.
Are you and Lacey opposed to the public-school education system?
We have been asked that often, and the answer has always been No. We would not have been able to spend the majority of our careers in a system that we opposed. We simply just loved teaching students and discovered an opportunity to create a space where we can develop, educate and nurture our students outside of the traditional box that public schools provide. Our curriculum focuses on four pillars: Academics, Project-Based Learning, Fine Arts, and Service. We are building our team from hardworking teachers who share our vision. We recently added another amazing teacher to head our Fine Arts classes and are pleased to welcome Mollie Boulware to our team. Molly spent 10 years in Katy ISD and also has 30 years of theater experience.
What makes Peak Academy different from the traditional education system?
The school's mission is to nurture Thinkers, Doers, and Lifelong Learners. The events of 2020, with widespread school closures, led to a shift in education, opening doors to innovative approaches like the micro-school system. Lacey and I recognized this opportunity as the ideal time to bring Peak Academy into fruition. We recognized that parents were also actively seeking alternative learning environments that offered a more personalized and participatory approach to their children's education. The micro-school model, embraced by Peak Academy, aims to foster a supportive and encouraging environment that uncovers the unique interests of each student that may be missed in a traditional learning environment.
Starting a school from the ground up sounds like a difficult undertaking, what were some of the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Considering that we are new to the business side of education, it has been a fairly smooth road, and our struggles have been minimal. We have not taken out any loans, but we also did not collect a salary our first year, so our biggest struggle has been financial. We received a $10,000 grant from the VELA Education Fund which helped sustain us our first year, and we offered after-school tutoring to nearby public-school students to generate additional income. During the summer, we hosted 1, 2, and 3-day mini camps that assisted us financially. On a positive note, we have been steady growing and receive a tremendous amount of operational support from our parents. We appreciate the opportunity to have a platform like Stroll Fulbrook give us the exposure to inform our community about Peak Academy.
Taylor’s story is a testament to the transformative power of a passionate educator who dared to challenge the status quo. Her journey exemplifies resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to providing an innovative and individualized learning experience. As they continue to grow, Peak Academy stands as a beacon of educational excellence, proving that change in education starts with dedicated educators willing to take a leap of faith.