Mastery-Based Learning: A Flexible Model for Individual Success

Listen to Podcast Here

At Encompass, learning is not dictated by age but by ability. Instead of moving through material at a set pace, students progress only when they’ve mastered each concept.

“We have decided as a country that schools should be designed where students receive instruction based on their age,” Meg shares. “But we know that within every classroom, there is a range of learner needs. Some students are ahead in one subject and behind in another.”

Meg acknowledges that in some cases, traditional intervention methods such as short-term tutoring blocks don’t always address deeper gaps in mastery, which only worsen each year. “And it is not because those buildings are not full of great educators and great administrators,” Meg offers. “It is the design of the system.”

Encompass, however, builds personalized learning into the daily schedule.

“We’re trying to create a school where no kid is left behind,” Meg explains. “And kids who are ahead have opportunities to dig deeper, engage in real-life problem solving, and not just sit in class bored.”

At Encompass, students may be grouped by different grade levels depending on the subject.

“A student could be seven years old and another could be 11, and yet they’re in the exact same classroom learning English language instruction,” Meg says, describing the approach. “Then in math, they might be in a different group altogether.”

Meg believes this technique ensures students aren’t forced to move on before they should—or held back when they’re ready to advance.

How Encompass Personalizes Learning

By using the Morningside Model of Generative Instruction (MMGI), an approach first developed by Morningside Academy in Seattle, Encompass ensures students truly understand concepts before moving forward.

“Morningside has replicated this model in 140+ settings, from community colleges to prisons to summer schools,” Meg shares. “It shows that most students can achieve on grade level if given the right instructional model.”

Meg’s journey is to create that model, one that's more responsive and flexible. “And doesn't wait weeks or a quarter or a year to make that instructional change for a child.”

“What's beautiful about this model,” she says, “by design, organically, every kid is getting exactly what they need just by the flexible student groupings of students being grouped based on exactly what they need.”

It’s an innovative approach that requires unique techniques to track students progress and group them accordingly. 

• Ongoing Data Monitoring – Students are constantly assessed and re-grouped as needed, ensuring they receive the right level of challenge in each subject. 

• Direct Instruction & Small Group Learning – Classrooms feature multiple small groups working simultaneously, allowing teachers to provide targeted support.

• Peer Coaching & Student Ownership – Students track their own progress and support their peers, reinforcing their learning while developing leadership skills.

• Fluency-Based Skill Practice – Using precision teaching, students repeatedly practice foundational skills until they reach mastery, making advanced problem-solving easier.

“We can’t teach kids everything they need to know,” Meg admits. “But we can teach them foundational skills and then contrive situations where they are generating their own learning.”

Community Partnerships: Building a School That Serves Families

While Encompass prioritizes academic innovation, it also recognizes that a great school must support entire families. “A lot of people are building schools. We’re building a community.”

“We are a community school model—it’s in our name,” Meg says. “A community school is built with and for the community to close identified gaps and remove barriers.”

Encompass is opening in North Nashville, where families often have to travel across the city for educational options. In some neighborhoods, Meg shares up to 67% of students opt out of their zoned schools.

“Through knocking on over a thousand doors and surveying 900 parents, we heard loudly and clearly that families want school options that are accessible in their own neighborhoods.”

But Encompass isn’t just about location; it’s about leveraging partnerships with local nonprofits and service providers to offer “wraparound support.”

“We are a school, so we’re going to be really good at instruction,” Meg says. “But we also can’t do it all ourselves. The community school model allows the opportunity to elevate and partner with organizations who have expertise in areas like mental health, job training, and family support.”

Meg describes the model as a “one-stop shop” where students and their families can access a hub of community resources. “By wrapping your arms around the whole family, we’re creating those lifelong partnerships and continuous engagement that really is the mission of a community school.”

Examples of How Encompass Supports Students & Families

• Mental Health & Wellness Partnerships – Partnering with counseling and wellness organizations to ensure students’ emotional needs are met.

• Job Training & Workforce Development – Helping parents build résumés, practice interview skills, and access job training programs.

• Tutoring & One-on-One Support – Providing built-in academic support during the school day, eliminating the need for costly after-school tutoring.

“A lot of people are building schools,” Meg says. “We’re building a community.”

Why Parents Should Choose Encompass

If you’re looking for a school that meets your child’s unique needs, fosters deep community connections, and prepares students for lifelong success, Encompass might be the perfect fit.

• Personalized Learning Ensures Mastery: Encompass guarantees that every child learns at their own pace and reaches proficiency before moving forward. “Some kids need to run faster to catch up, while others are ready to take on more advanced work. Our model ensures all students get what they need, exactly when they need it.”

• A Supportive, Inclusive School Community: At Encompass, “all means all.” The school is committed to creating a joyful, welcoming environment where every student feels valued and included.

• A Research-Backed Model with Proven Success: The Morningside Model of Generative Instruction has been refined for over 40 years and has been successfully implemented across a wide range of educational settings. “We are honored to have a three-year partnership with Morningside, ensuring we implement this model with fidelity.”

• Deep Community Partnerships & Wraparound Services: Encompass works with established organizations to support not just students, but their families, offering mental health services, job training, and academic tutoring at no extra cost.

• A School Designed With and For the Community: Encompass isn’t just another charter school; it’s a school built in response to the specific needs of North Nashville families. “Our location found us. Families told us what they needed, and we listened.”

How to Get Involved:

Contact the school for more details on enrollment and events online at EncompassNashville.org.