ABOUT US

Apogee NTX is a mixed-age, project-based learning environment.

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.

It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education."

– Albert Einstein

Empowered Learning

Students set goals and learn how to manage them, with coaching and support along the way. That builds real accountability and independence. They learn to plan, follow through, adjust when something isn’t working, and take ownership of their progress instead of waiting to be told what to do.

Learning Without Limits

We serve ages 5–18, with personalized learning paths that don’t cap kids at a “grade level.” If your 5-year-old is ready for concepts typically taught to 9-year-olds, we adjust their day so they can keep moving and growing.

Customized Experience

Learning that matches their pace and interests, whether they’re ready to move faster or want to go deeper into a subject they love.

Prepared for the Future

Students don’t just learn what to think, they learn how to think. Through critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world practice, they build the kind of confidence that travels well: into new classrooms, new teams, new challenges, and eventually, adult life.

What makes us different?

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Our Philosophy

We’re not a traditional school, and that’s on purpose. We’re a private academic enrichment community for families who want a more student-led approach.

Instead of one-size-fits-all lessons, kids learn through project-based, self-directed work that builds real skills: critical thinking, time management, communication, and adaptability. Those skills matter whether they head to college, jump into a career, or start their own business. Along the way, kids build confidence, independence, and a genuine love of learning that sticks.

Building a Real Community

It’s natural to wonder about the social side of smaller, mixed-age groups. What we see, again and again, is the opposite of what most parents expect: relationships get stronger, not weaker.

Kids connect across ages, learn how to collaborate, and get comfortable speaking up and sharing ideas. And in a small group, no one disappears into the crowd. Every child is known, supported, and encouraged to grow both academically and socially.

Daily Structure

Morning: We begin with a guided group discussion to get minds moving and curiosity flowing. Then, kids move on to two hours of focused academic work. They can continue using the curriculum you already use at home, or we can suggest options that match your child’s pace and learning style. Support is always available in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, with kids rotating to the subjects they need most.
Afternoon: Afternoons are for hands-on learning and real-world skill building. Depending on the day, kids might work on public speaking, financial literacy, outdoor education, entrepreneurship, or dive into a personal passion project. It’s intentionally flexible, giving them room to follow their interests and take on new challenges.
Life Skills Focus: Throughout the week, kids practice skills traditional classrooms rarely have time for: teamwork, pushing through challenges, setting goals, and even building a small business. These habits grow confident, capable kids who know how to handle the real world.
Leaders & Mentors, Not Teachers: Since we’re not a traditional school, our guides focus on sparking curiosity and keeping kids engaged rather than standing up front and lecturing. We select them for their ability to build confidence, demonstrate resilience, and foster an environment where kids actually want to lean in. Many bring real-world experience, including in fields like technology, so students receive practical insights they can use immediately.

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MEET OUR TEAM

Lauren Penn

Founder

Like a lot of parents, I wanted something different for my kids. An education that sparked curiosity, encouraged critical thinking, and didn’t require them to sit quietly in a room of 30 kids following the same script. I wanted them asking “why,” taking ownership of their learning, and seeing education as something that grows with them, not something confined to walls and bells.

But I also wanted more than strong academics. I wanted my kids to understand that freedom comes with responsibility to themselves, their family, and their community. That meant real-world skills too, from financial literacy to changing a flat tire, the kind of things you actually need once life starts happening.

When we couldn’t find a program that truly aligned with that vision, we did what most slightly stubborn, optimistic parents do. We built it. Smack in the middle of COVID, five years ago, the timing forced the issue and opened the door. Since then, I’ve helped launch two homeschool co-ops, and as my children have grown, this mission has grown right alongside them.

Apogee NTX exists to give families the kind of educational option I wanted for my own kids. One that builds independent thinkers, responsible young people, and confident learners who are ready for the real world, not just the next test.

Cameron Penn

Co-Founder

For more than 20 years, I built and led Hey Guy Media, a Dallas–Fort Worth–based communications and creative firm that developed campaigns for brands including Mattel, Toyota, KinderCare, Chipotle, General Motors, Shell, IHOP, and Disney.

My work has covered brand and product launches, executive and internal communications, crisis response, and long-form content across corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector organizations.

Earlier in my career, I spent more than a decade in broadcast television with HBO and ESPN. Along the way, I earned two National Emmy Awards and helped produce more than 2,000 hours of live programming, including SportsCenter, the NFL Draft, Inside the NFL, and On the Record with Bob Costas.

I later stepped into public service, where I developed and implemented the first external communications strategy for the National Reconnaissance Office, one of the intelligence community’s most sensitive and consequential agencies.

I’ve also served eight years on the board of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, including three years as Board President, supporting programs that serve more than 50,000 families worldwide.

Kelly Banner

Explorers (5 to 7-year-olds)

Kelly Banner is a Texas native and lives in Flower Mound with her husband, three kids, their dog, and a small flock of backyard chickens. When they’re not chasing chickens back into the coop, they’re usually outside exploring nature as a family.

Kelly is a certified Montessori teacher and previously led a small forest school for children ages 2–8. She’s excited to be part of the Apogee North Texas community and can’t wait to work with your kids this year.