NEXUS SCHOOL LOUDOUN

We’re growing opportunities—join us!

Loudoun has the privileged position as the wealthiest, healthiest and happiest county in Virginia and the nation. In many Loudoun County communities, however, the picture is starkly different.

Teens who live in Loudoun’s pockets of poverty have a high school dropout rate nearly 10 times higher than the countywide average. Many must work to help support their families, often along with their parents in high-risk, low-income jobs.

Others simply don’t have the parental support they need to position themselves for post-secondary education or meaningful career exploration.Still others struggle to adapt to traditional classroom environments, because of learning disabilities, physical or cognitive challenges or mental health issues. And for a growing number of youth, the path to college is out of reach financially. For these teens in Loudoun County, their dreams for the future are not matched by opportunity—and they are falling through the cracks.

We could give these bright, motivated students an opportunity to learn and explore on their own terms and on their own schedules—with individualized curricula and collaborative experiences with students and instructors from around the world.

We can!

What if ...

CLICK HERE to learn why this teacher supports Nexus School Loudoun

The need

Connecting the Next Generation to a World of Opportunity

According to the Loudoun County Advisory Commission on Youth, while Loudoun students continue to be as healthy and successful as their peers in neighboring counties, some troubling trends that are causing increases in absenteeism, bullying, drop-out rates and disconnection.

The Commission’s latest annual State of the Youth of Loudoun County report examined demographics, graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, truancy, school behavior, and juvenile justice involvement. The report found that fewer students are graduating on time and more students are falling into chronic school absenteeism—with increased incidents of substance abuse, bullying and offenses against others. How we respond today will have lifetime repercussions for these students.

Loudoun’s population is becoming more diverse racially and ethnically. Traditional education models do not always address the new and changing needs of students and their families. For example, research overwhelmingly shows family-oriented educational delivery modes, rather than child-only modes, are more culturally appropriate among Latino, Asian and Islamic communities. Adapting schedules, curricular and delivery platforms can be very effective for these students.

Nexus School Loudoun is designed to work individually with students and their families to develop the right learning environment for their needs.

Why Loudoun needs the Nexus School

Chronic absenteeism among Loudoun students is on the rise. An alarming 6,860 of LCPS students did not show up for 10% or more of the 2019 school year. This problem is most prevalent among youth living in disadvantaged communities of Loudoun, who must work to help sup-port their families or become caretakers of their younger siblings. A student who is chronically absent in any year between grades 8 -12 is 7X more likely to drop out.

A school environment with flexible schedules and a vari-ety of personalized learning platforms would allow these youth to meet both their family obligations and educa-tional needs. Nexus School Loudoun will do that.

Drop-out rates are alarmingly high among vulnerable populations. While Hispanic students. for example, make up just under 20% of the school population, they represent 80% of students dropping out.

For these students, limited educa-tion, social exclusion, lack of work experience and fewer opportunities to develop mentors can have long-term consequences that snowball across the lifetime—influencing everything from earnings and self-sufficiency to physical and mental health and marital prospects. (Source: 2020 State of the Youth in Loudoun County)

We can do better for our youth—and Nexus School Loudoun WILL.

In the 2019-20 school year, LCPS was White 46% (down from 61% 2010-11)Black 7% (no change); Hispanic 18% (up from 14% 2010-11)Asian 23% (up from 15% 2010-11)Multi-racial 6% (up from 5% in2010-11).

Rising absenteeism

Growing diversity

6,850 LCPS students did not go to school for 10% of the school year in 2018-19.

Higher drop-out rates

Lumiar’s unique Digital Mosaic curriculum is grounded in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals via project-based learning, incorporating INMED Aquaponics® in a hands-on and virtual environment, with instructors and peers from around the world. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Partnering with local and world experts in their fields, Nexus School Loudoun will offer virtual and hands-on classes in the core subjects of math, science, language and social studies as well as business, economics, marketing, entrepreneurship, adaptive agriculture sustainable commun-ities, health/nutrition, international studies and more.

Partnering with local businesses, nonprofits and government agencies, Nexus School Loudoun will offer internships to open a new opportunities for students to explore future careers of all types. Students will determine how many internships they wish to try and duration.

Leveraging INMED’s world-renowned adaptive agriculture, food security and sustainable livelihoods program, students will receive hands-on training and mentoring in how to launch, run and sustain an entrepreneurial enterprise using INMED Aquaponics® systems as the primary tool.

Working with global sustainability thought leaders, students will learn about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and how they can become change agents on the world stage.

Nexus School Loudoun will be a catalyst for a more equitable, effective, and resilient learning environment to inspire and equip low-income and immigrant youth in grades 6-12 to become engaged national and global thought leaders and entrepreneurial problem solvers.

In partnership wit, Lumiar®, Nexus School Loudoun brings transformational education (currently only available to the wealthy) to immigrant, low-income and special-needs youth in an accredited learning environment in which they tackle poverty, injustice, inequality and climate change hands-on while forging their own college or career path.

Nexus School Loudoun is designed to create significant positive impact in Loudoun County—and beyond. With Loudoun as the model, our plan for future phases of this transformational education approach is to expand nationally and internationally through INMED’s global networks.

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About Nexus

How we’ll do it

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Did you know?Did you know?

The programs of INMED Partnerships for Children and INMED Aquaponics® are providing solutions for all 17 of the UN SDGs for the world. LEARN MORE

INMED Partnerships for Children has been rated a top Four Star Charity for 8+ years by international vetting service Charity Navigator. READ OUR PROFILE

INMED has been building pathways for vulnerable chil-dren and families to achieve well-being and self- reliance in Loudoun County since 1988. LEARN MORE

Corporate, foundation and individual champions.

Sliding-scale tuition, based on financial need. No student will be turned away for inability to pay tuition.

Student-led fundraisers.

Sale of INMED Aquaponics® produce to local restaurants, upscale grocery stores and at farmers’ markets to provide sustainable support programs and scholarships.

How we’ll pay for it

1. Creatively use & respond to change

2. Observe & interact

3. Catch & store energy

4. Obtain a yield

5. Self-regulate & accept feedback

6. Use & value renewable resources & services

7. Produce no waste

8.Design from patterns to details

9. Integrate rather than segregate

10.Use small & slow solutions

12. Use edges & value the marginal

EARTH CARE

PEOPLE CAREFAIR SHARE

11. Use and value diversity

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Philanthropist Rachel Paxton left a legacy of serving children in need in Loudoun County. Nexus School Loudoun would not only fulfill the mission of The Paxton Trust, but also would return the historic property to its agrarian roots, incorporating modern adaptive agriculture practices while honoring the farming traditions that built Loudoun County. The campus also would be a hub of sustainable development, with food forests, permaculture landscapes and outdoor learning spaces.

Located in the heart of Leesburg, Virginia, the Paxton campus is within walking distance of a majority of the families INMED USA serves. The campus already houses a school for children and youth with special needs. The Nexus School Loudoun will be a natural progression for providing opportunities for people of all abilities to explore careers and achieve independence.

Why Paxton Campus?

What is Aquaponics?What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics combines hydroponics with fish farming in a closed symbiotic system that produces at least 10X more crops as traditional farming with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. INMED Aquaponics® is a tool for educators, students, families and communities to foster and achieve self-reliance the world over. LEARN MORE

Why support Nexus School Loudoun?

CLICK HERE to learn why this teacher and neighbor thinks Nexus School Loudoun would be a community gem.

Click the image for a short explanation of the INMED Aquaponics® process

THE FUTURE OF FARMING

Thought leaders who want to share knowledge and resources

Government officials who want to build a stronger, more sustainable community

YOU!

CLICK HERE to become a Nexus School Loudoun CHAMPION!

Foundations and corporations that want to leave a legacy of opportunity for the next generation

Neighbors who want to make a tangible difference in the lives of our youth

Business owners who wants to help nurture future employees

Educators who support adaptive learning

Students who would be the first generation in their family to attend college

Students who would not otherwise consider college as a possibility

Students who are interested in a different career path than college

Students who need to work while in high school but would like to use the time to explore possible careers

Students whose parents are not able to support them in exploring post-high school options

Students who learn best with hands-on experiences

Students who are creative out-of-the-box thinkers

Students who excel with individual support

Students who excel in small classes

Students who excel learning in small groups

Students who are curious and love learning new things

Students who understand concepts better when applied in real-life situations

Who is a Nexus School Loudoun student?

Parents who want a personalized education experience for their children

Parents who want their children to explore opportunities before committing to college or career path

Parents who have considered a “gap year” for their students after high school

Parents who value multi-cultural experiences

Parents who want to cultivate a lifelong love of learning in their children

Parents who are concerned they cannot afford to send their child to college

Parents who would appreciate help in navigating life after high school with their children

Who is a Nexus School Loudoun champion?

Who is a Nexus School Loudoun parent?