Solstice is Special just like the students we teach.
Each day of the week invites a new world. From engineering to art, from movement to mindfulness.
Our Skoolie Classroom
Our fully converted school bus is more than a classroom on wheels. It’s a thoughtfully designed learning environment built for comfort, focus, and creativity. Equipped with heating and cooling, a microwave, and onboard bathroom facilities, the Skoolie functions as a safe, welcoming home base for our students throughout the day.
Inside, more than half of the bus is intentionally dedicated to student learning. Individual workspaces, organized storage, and open floor space allow for focused academic work, collaborative projects, and hands-on exploration.
Each day, students spend approximately three hours on the bus engaged in meaningful learning. From focused work and small-group collaboration to mindfulness practices that support emotional regulation and well-being. The remainder of the day is spent out in the community, exploring enrichment spaces that extend learning beyond the bus.
With built-in flexibility, time for movement, and the freedom to travel to inspiring destinations, the bus allows every day to feel purposeful, grounded, and full of discovery.
Our Founder…
Sarah Harrington is a licensed educator, artist, and the founder of Solstice Hybrid Academy.
After a decade teaching in public schools, Sarah saw firsthand that many children, especially curious, creative, and neurodivergent learners, were being asked to fit into systems not designed for how they learn.
As both a teacher and an artist, Sarah believes learning should be dynamic, expressive, and deeply human. When traditional schooling no longer met her own child’s needs, she didn’t wait for change, she created it. What began as a decision to homeschool became a bold reimagining of what school could be.
In pursuit of a learning environment that nurtures curiosity, honors individuality, and invites creativity, Sarah purchased and renovated a school bus, transforming it into a mobile classroom. Within a year, that vision took full STEAM, and Solstice Hybrid Academy was born.
Acknowledgments:
How This Real-Life Magic School Bus Helps Kids Learn and Grow
Sarah Harrington innovates learning with Solstice Hybrid Academy in Norfolk | 13newsnow.com
How a school on wheels is revolutionizing education
Real life 'Magic School Bus' transforms learning in Norfolk
Excellent Educators: Sarah Harrington | WAVY.com
Trailblazer Spotlight: Sarah Harrington - Elizabeth River Trail
Some Entrepreneurs Are Betting Big on Microschools | Inc.com
Meet Sarah Harrington – CanvasRebel Magazine
The School Bus That Became a Classroom: An Alum’s Journey | Old Dominion University

