This Utah Microschool via Breezie Tupuola Already Has a Waitlist, Here's Why Parents Are Rushing to Enroll

In this conversation, Breezy Tupuola shares her journey into the education sector, detailing her experiences with traditional schooling and the inspiration behind launching the Elite Performance Prep Academy. 

She discusses the innovative approaches her micro school will take, including personalized learning, real-life skills training, and a flexible curriculum designed to meet the needs of each student. Breezy emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the unique pathways to graduation that her school offers, aiming to prepare students for successful futures.

Takeaways

▶️ Breezy's passion for education stems from her own experiences in traditional schooling.

▶️ The Elite Performance Prep Academy aims to redefine education through micro schooling.

▶️ Personalized learning is a key focus, allowing students to explore their interests.

▶️ Real-life skills are integrated into the curriculum to prepare students for adulthood.

▶️ The school will have a low teacher-student ratio to ensure individualized attention.

▶️ Electives will be tailored based on student interests and community resources.

▶️ Field trips and mentorship opportunities are part of the learning experience.

▶️ Students can earn high school diplomas and college credits simultaneously.

▶️ The school encourages students to advocate for their own learning paths.

▶️ Community engagement is vital for the success of the micro school.

Sound Bites

"I need to know how to do things."

"I wouldn't want that for my kid as well."

"We are launching in Orem, Utah."

"Our teacher-student ratio is one to ten."

"It's really personalized to those students."

Connect with Breezie

https://www.instagram.com/elitecentralutah

https://www.eliteperformanceprepacademy.com

Transcript

Rob Pene (00:01.024)
Okay, welcome everyone. This is Rob here. Breezy Tupuola is an impressive young lady who's got some big ambitions. I'm excited to ask her some questions about the education space that she's kind of launched into, but I'm curious about her background on where it started, how the idea of getting education came in, and how she connected with Elite Performance Prep Academy, which is...

essentially redefining the micro schooling and home schooling space. So I'm grateful that you're here. How you doing?

Breezie Tupola (00:39.1)
You're doing really well. Thank you. Thank you for having me on.

Rob Pene (00:42.016)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So where did this passion behind education come from for you?

Breezie Tupola (00:49.507)
That is a really great question. And every time I talk about it, I try not to cry, but I ended up doing it anyway. So bear with me. So I came, I come from a traditional education public school. and I love school always have was reading at a very young age. And my parents were just always really proud of, know, what they were hearing from my teachers and all those things. And as I grew up,

I was 4.0 student, high honor roll, went to college, like a whole nine yards, right? But I graduated during COVID and I was very devastated with how like my graduation turned out. Cause I always just dreamed of having like one of those big Polynesian graduation ceremonies. You know what I mean? Like the lays, all of that fun stuff. I didn't get it cause it was COVID. And I still went to college and I was completely alone. And when I was,

in Washington, taking online courses, I realized that I didn't know how to like be by myself. And I also realized that I needed to find a job. I needed to know how to get around places. I needed to know how to like file my own taxes because I was independent at the time. And I didn't know how to do any of that. And I was like, all of that schooling, all of that, those amazing grades for what?

to come to college and figure out what career I wanted to do. still didn't, I wanted to be a pediatrician, but I did a passion project on what it would take. And I realized that I would be away from home. I would be doing schooling a lot. And I just felt like I was failed in a way that nobody really knew that they were failing me in. And so then when I came back home, I sat down with my parents and I cried.

because I was just like, I need to know how to do things, like how to be an adult. Adulting is really hard. And so I taught at a preschool and I was helping younger students for a little while. And then that's when I started getting into, know, these kids need to know real life things. And so I was also helping local students in my neighborhood. I was tutoring them and I was mentoring them. And I had a real passion for it.

Breezie Tupola (03:11.631)
And then all of a sudden, a little bit down the road, I actually got a text message from Tasha asking me I wanted to join Elite. And I was just thrilled when she kind of laid out what Elite was and everything that it stood for and everything that it was doing for the next generation. I believed in 100 % because I felt like it was a calling that I was needing, but I didn't know how to do it on my own.

because nobody prepped me to do what elite is trying to do. And so my love for education has always been there. It's always been there, but I just didn't know how to help these other students do and be what I needed. And now that's what I'm trying to do for all of these kids to grow up and become successful and thriving adults in this environment and society.

Rob Pene (04:07.104)
So for people that are not familiar with who Breezy Tupu'ola is, who is Breezy?

Breezie Tupola (04:14.831)
If you ask anybody else, you're gonna get, she's bubbly and she's confident and she's loving. And while all those things are true, if I were to name some things of myself that I don't think are on the surface, I would also say hardworking. And I would say also very loyal and what's another word? I'm very compassionate as well. I'm very empathetic and I just...

have a thing for people who do it good and do it right and do it right the first time. You know, get people who kind of do things 50 % the first time and then they realize they could do a little bit better. Give it your 100 % at the beginning because that's how you're gonna progress more. That's how you're gonna know your limits and that's how you're gonna know you can be able to push yourself. But the other things that also define me is I am a mother and I love my son, like with everything in me.

And he is my light. He is my world. And he is also another reason why I got into Elite because knowing what I had to go through, I wouldn't want that for my kid as well. And I'm also a wife. Happily married for almost three years to my husband. And absolutely love and adore him and grateful for him and supporting me in this journey. Yeah, that's a little bit about who I am, the things that define me.

and what I think.

Rob Pene (05:45.932)
And where are you launching your school?

Breezie Tupola (05:48.953)
So we are launching in Orem, Utah. It is going to be a micro school and we're taking K through 12th, kindergarten through 12th graders and we're launching fall 2025.

Rob Pene (06:02.328)
So you're recruiting now.

Breezie Tupola (06:03.863)
Yes, and while we're on the subject, we have 15 students already enrolled for fall. Yeah.

Rob Pene (06:10.272)
Wow. So what is your, how many kids are you taking?

Breezie Tupola (06:14.831)
So I can take, so we could have two sessions, but for this first session I'm trying to fill up, I can take 30 kids. So we have 15 more spots available. And if you're interested, be sure to hit me up because they're going fast and I'm telling you right now, you don't wanna wait.

Rob Pene (06:34.274)
Yeah. then the, you still going to, what, what, what is the teacher or the teacher student ratio?

Breezie Tupola (06:40.857)
Great question. So our teacher-student ratio is one to ten. So for every academic coach, that's what we call our teachers, for every academic coach there's ten students. And then we actually group our kids kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade, and then ninth through twelfth grade. So each class of those grades will have their own academic coach for them.

Rob Pene (07:06.136)
Hmm. And what are the other like, I know some schools have sports. Are you sports too? You have like entertainment or, or woodworking, like the trades.

Breezie Tupola (07:13.89)
Yes.

Breezie Tupola (07:19.427)
That is a very great question. we are electives. There's so many families that have come to us and they actually own their own businesses. So one mom, she actually owns like a dance company, if you will. And so that's one of our electives that our elite students get to participate in. They're going to learn a dance or a couple of dances, I should say. And then at the end of the year, they're going to have a performance they can do. I have another mom who teaches like music, like

play through music so our students will also be able to participate in those things. We are not a sports academy so we don't do the training. We're purely micro school so you come to us for three and a half hours Monday through Thursday. We don't have classes on Fridays so extra long weekends. But all of those electives and extra trade things it's all dependent on what the students want. Maybe we have kids who are really artistic or maybe we our kids are

really into cooking that month. We might go do a cooking class and learn how to bake. It's really personalized to those students, which is really fun because you get to do all different kinds of things.

Rob Pene (08:24.48)
Okay, that's interesting. So will you have to know ahead of time the options for the electives and then you can kind of place that elective in the schedule as you go or is the schedule like set before school starts?

Breezie Tupola (08:40.665)
So what we've done is we have at least the first two months planned. And then every month after that, we kind of get a gauge for what the students are really interested in. So the month before that or two months before that, we try to plan what the next thing is that they want to learn or what their electives they want to participate in. And that's how we kind of gauge the rest of the year, because it's going to look different every year.

being like homeschooling, microschooling, we like to be flexible and we don't want to say this is what we're doing and we're sticking to it and we're not going away from it. It's really fun to have some flexibility and have the freedom to choose what these kids want to learn rather than having a set schedule.

Rob Pene (09:22.53)
Wow, so it's fluid and it adjusts essentially.

Breezie Tupola (09:24.879)
I think.

Yes, yes.

Rob Pene (09:29.336)
Wow, so what would you, how would you balance all the options and then are you guys gonna do a survey with the families and then the most votes win or something or how do you guys manage that?

Breezie Tupola (09:43.235)
Yeah, so we would send out a survey, like you said, and we would send it to the families and we say, okay, here's the top three options that we got for this month. And the other cool thing, know, once the families all vote and they say, this is what we want to learn, we actually open it up to the public. And so even kids that aren't a part of elite, because sometimes our electors are going to be outside of class time. Sometimes they might be on Fridays. So other kids that are in the community can also participate in

participate in those extracurriculars and elective classes as well, not just our students.

Rob Pene (10:19.006)
Wow. it's not, I mean, the, micro schools, the revolutionary part is the smaller classroom, better attention. And then added training, the sports academy, you have that tailored approach. Now in your case, it truly is a variety of life skills. Learn from experts that are actually living out and performing and, know, doing those operating under those skills. Wow. That's that.

Breezie Tupola (10:27.407)
Mm-hmm.

Breezie Tupola (10:37.421)
Mm-hmm.

Breezie Tupola (10:44.824)
Yes.

Yes.

Rob Pene (10:48.59)
called the Revolutionary.

Breezie Tupola (10:50.465)
I couldn't say it better, honestly. And what's even cooler is because since we have multiple ages, for our older students, as we go into business, entrepreneurship, or even just career development, we go on field trips as well. So sometimes these older kids might create, or what's the word, plan a field trip to go see a mentor. And all of the students will be able to go see

So for example, we had a student who is really big into engineering right now. He wants to be an engineer when he's older. He actually reached out to the engineer for the Raiders Stadium and got a tour, a whole tour, like the interior designers, all of those people that helped design the Raiders Stadium gave our students a tour. And there was like donuts, they like treated us. It was really, really cool. And so that's also what we're trying to do for these students is advocate for themselves.

Rob Pene (11:39.021)
Whoa.

Breezie Tupola (11:47.779)
to know like, okay, if you wanna be an engineer, let's go talk to somebody who's an engineer so that you know what's coming for you. And maybe the way that they went to school or the way that they got to where they are, maybe that might work for you. Or maybe they're like, actually, I learned that there's a different pathway that you could go and it's faster, it's easier, maybe even cheaper, the school's not cheap. And you could go this way. And they're getting real life advice from people who are in the...

the career that they want to be in. And that's also really cool that our students get to be able to participate and plan those things and execute it.

Rob Pene (12:22.978)
So they reach out to the mentor, to the potential mentor, the student. Wow.

Breezie Tupola (12:25.225)
Yeah, yes, yes. So of course we're there to like help guide them like, okay, this is how you write a professional email. This is, I'm so sorry, give me one second.

Breezie Tupola (12:42.873)
Sorry. Yeah, so we help them know how to write a professional email, you know, how to address it, how to sign it, and then just how to communicate back and forth. Because let's be real, you kind of figure out how to write an email through AI now or Google in there or whatever. But we help the students, you know, like, this is how you should talk to them. This is a professional manner. And then on top of that, say we're building them up, maybe they're going to be an apprentice in something and they need to go to a job interview or something.

Rob Pene (13:09.101)
Yeah.

Breezie Tupola (13:12.579)
We're going to say, okay, how are you going to present yourself? What are you going to wear? What kind of language are you going to use? What kind of confidence are you going to have when you walk into that room? And we rehearse and we like practice, practice, practice with these kids. These are real life skills, right? When you go out into the job force, you know, you got to know how to present yourself when you're talking to somebody. So it's really fun stuff getting to see these kids do these things in real time.

Rob Pene (13:20.558)
Thanks

Rob Pene (13:24.238)
Hmmmm

Rob Pene (13:28.376)
Yes.

Rob Pene (13:32.728)
Hmm.

Rob Pene (13:38.498)
Yeah. What's the day look like? A regular school day.

Breezie Tupola (13:43.746)
So we actually start at 10 a.m. and then we go until 1 30 p.m. It's a little it's nice because you you don't have to wake up at 7 8 in the morning right and you got moms trying to rush to get to the school or trying to make the bus or whatever the case might be and To 10 a.m. Start it's really nice homeschoolers if you're you homeschool You know, you don't got to wake up on anybody's time. You can wake up on your time, but 10 a.m. Is a good

morning time and then go to 1.30 p.m. So what it looks like though, 10 a.m. our students get there and for the first 15 minutes they are doing opening exercises. Our opening exercises aren't like stretching or anything but more like Pledge of Allegiance. We love our country here and we also do a Good News Minute where they rattle off 10 things that they're grateful for or maybe some things that happened over the last time that we saw them. And by doing things that we're grateful for and just what had happened

Starting the day off with gratitude just puts a really good start to the day. It's always important to start with positive notes and just making sure we're all on the same level. And then after that we get into a 90-minute academic session and this is where they get their their core. Maybe it's math, reading, English, science, social studies. And for us, our coaches, again teachers are called coaches, but our coaches have complete freedom and autonomy to kind of

Rob Pene (14:54.446)
Mm.

Breezie Tupola (15:09.891)
build their day as they see fit for their students. So for example, some of our coaches choose to do Monday, Wednesdays core academics and then Tuesday, Thursdays might be purely electives and enrichment. We have other teachers who designate each day to a specific subject. So Monday might be math, Tuesday might be English, so on and so forth. So the core academics that first 90 minutes is completely up to the coach, but you can guarantee that they're getting

some type of core subject during that day. And then after that, we have a little brain break. We might go on a walk and talk, we might dance in the classroom, but all the students get to mingle and just make sure that they're moving. And then after that, you're gonna have another 90 minutes, 90, maybe 60 minutes. And that's where we get into project-based learning. This is my favorite part because this is where you get into...

the projects. So if you have a kid and we are learning about the water cycle in class, instead of having them take a test, we have them actually do a project. So maybe that is sometimes an essay or a book report, but our kids really love to do PowerPoints. We've actually had kids make a rap song about it. We've had kids draw a beautiful picture or make it out of clay or play-doh, whatever the case might be, to present what they have learned. One, by doing this,

Rob Pene (16:21.806)
I'm sorry.

Breezie Tupola (16:34.775)
you're you are actually gauging a sense for what they understand. And two, they want to do it. It's not just a test that they're trying to take to get a grade to pass class. It's so much more than that to them. And they put their heart and soul into it. And number three, what I really love is when they go to present it. Public speaking can be really hard for a lot of kids. But when you give them something that they want to do and they go present it, they are like so confident in front of the classroom. And then on top of that,

the kids that are listening, they're listening because they want to share too. And they want that same respect. We have a certain standard in our classroom for all of these students. And they know that when you're listening to somebody present, you know, have your eyes on them, you're listening, you're asking questions, you're being present. But that's like the last part of the day where these kids get to work on presentations. And it's not that we're going to have a presentation due every day. It might be

There's going to be one project every month based upon that subject, but they have time during that end of day period to work on their project to present at the end. It's just really nice because as you go through the classrooms, projects are going to look really different from a kindergarten, kindergartner as preferred to like a 12th grader. You know what I mean? So it's, really cool to see them grow and develop and just see their imagination come to life rather than just sitting there trying to take a test.

and regurgitate information.

Rob Pene (18:01.496)
So how did they get like, how did they pass the class and get credits and stuff to graduate?

Breezie Tupola (18:09.133)
Great question. So we have a couple of high schoolers and they are actually taking high school courses through an accredited program that we partner with and they can get a high school diploma through them. The other thing is that a lot of them, they don't want to just do high school courses. Some of them are like college bound, whether it's for athletics or maybe it's just the kind of career that they want to go into.

So what we've done for them is we've set them up with a local college, whether it's BYU, UBU, or maybe an online program where it's like ASU, but they can take college courses and receive college credit and get high school credit. And so we actually have a couple of students that are engaged to graduate with their associate's degree by the time they're a senior, which is really amazing because one, you save money and two, they save time.

Rob Pene (18:51.918)
Hmm.

Breezie Tupola (19:06.543)
So that's a couple of ways that we do it, but the dual enrollment is really popular here.

Rob Pene (19:13.43)
Yeah, so they'll get their AA degree and the high

Breezie Tupola (19:16.927)
Mm-hmm. Yes, yes.

Rob Pene (19:22.978)
That's revolutionary too. That's crazy. And it's available to all of them.

Breezie Tupola (19:28.941)
Yes. So as soon as, you know, when they start coming into seventh and eighth grade, we even sixth grade, we start talking about, you know, what kind of careers interest you? What are your passions? What do you like to do outside of school? Right. Or outside of elite. some of them are like, I'm really into video games. So the girls are like, I really like to do my hair or my nails. So we started talking about industries in those areas. And then we have them do some research and say, okay, you know, is this a path that you would want to go? Yes or no.

And depending on what they say, that's also how we help build their college courses. There's some of these kids that have no intention on going to college. They just need a trade, just need to get a diploma, right? And they graduate quicker. had a, one of our seniors, he was in public for his first three years of high school, but he finished his senior year in two months. He is now working at a law firm. He is now doing door dash on the side for extra money.

He's doing jujitsu, working at the gym, like he's living his best life. But he didn't need to go to college because what he's trying to do, he doesn't need to. for every child is different. And we sit down with each of them before they even get to high school to discuss what pathway would we want to go. And of course it's still going to change as they're in high school, but at least we're starting those conversations early on. Rather when me personally, was like pediatrician, pediatrician, pediatrician. My senior year I was like,

Never mind, like that's a lot of school and I'm never going to be home and you know all that stuff. We got to find what they're willing to give up, what they're willing to sacrifice and create a list of non-negotiables. What are you absolutely not willing to give up for any kind of job? Maybe it's traveling, maybe it's family time, maybe it's X amount of dollars, whatever the case might be, you got to make sure whatever industry or career you're going into, it checks your boxes of non-negotiables. You know what I mean?

And the kids don't even think about those things, right? And some of them are just like, I just want to make a crap ton of money. And you're like, OK.

Rob Pene (21:28.354)
Yeah. Yeah. So how do people find the school? How do they come across you? How do they even like think about exploring the school?

Breezie Tupola (21:38.915)
Great question. So we have a Instagram and a Facebook. It's Elite Central Utah. Our Instagram, I think, is Elite Performance Prep Academy Central Utah. But I would fact check that. I apologize. And our website is currently in the process of being uploaded. But you can find us for sure on Instagram. And then if you want to chat, you can send us a DM. Or we have a link in our bio.

that you can schedule a call directly with me and I can answer your questions directly.

Rob Pene (22:12.44)
How did these families, the 15 families find you guys to begin with? Is it the same way?

Breezie Tupola (22:18.777)
So it's so funny you say that. I am a part of the homeschooling group chats on Facebook. And yeah, so that's also another good way for you to talk to other homeschooling families. This is what I tell all of our families. Join the homeschooling group chats. If you're new and you're scared and you don't know what to do, join them because there's so many moms on there that have been doing it for so long. But I went on there and I kind of just created a post and I said, hey ladies, and.

some men. I'm starting a micro school and I'm enrolling for fall and I'm taking these grades and this is what I'm about. These are our values. As soon as I hit post, my messenger was blowing up. Like it was blowing up. All of these moms were just like, I've been looking for something like this. I've been praying for something like this. And it's just like every single phone call that I got on, it was just emotional because

Rob Pene (23:02.477)
Nice.

Breezie Tupola (23:14.295)
You never know what a difference that you're making until you go and do it. And hearing all of these moms talk about their kids and how they're their world and how they've been exposed to things and that they, they don't know what else to do. They have to work full time, but they don't want to put them back in public or charter. And so it was just all very powerful conversation. So some came that way.

Rob Pene (23:28.846)
Mmm.

Breezie Tupola (23:39.427)
And then also some came through straight through referrals. So I'm grateful for our first families, our first 15 families and for sticking with us and finding us.

Rob Pene (23:49.514)
Nice, that's awesome. Fall, when does that, what month is fall?

Breezie Tupola (23:54.233)
So, sorry, I keep saying fall. So we start August 2025, and then we have a 10 month academic year, so August to May. And we, just for people that are watching here, we do follow like a traditional like school year calendar. So spring break, Christmas break, national holidays, all of those days we have off, just FYI there. But ours are a little bit longer, just because we can.

Rob Pene (24:24.246)
Yeah. Yeah. Wow. is there, I know some schools have scholarships they can apply to like the state to pay.

Breezie Tupola (24:31.631)
Yes, yes. Thank you for bringing that up. So Utah is one of the very few states that has what's called schools choice. And if you look it up, it's actually called Utah education fits all. You can look them up and it's a up to $8,000. But they kind of changed some of their. What is it like guidelines this year, which is OK. So now more scholarships are available. So what happens is.

Five years old to 12 years old receive $4,000 to use towards homeschooling programs, tuition, curriculum, whatever you would like to use. We are an approved vendor, so you can use that money directly to pay for our schooling. But 13-year-olds and up receive up to $6,000, so an increase of $2,000. And again, we're an approved vendor, so you can use those funds.

The application portal is open until April 30th. So if you are thinking about applying, I would urge you to do so. And a lot of people say, well, I make too much money because it is income based. I would still tell them to apply because there's different tiers that they'll put you on regardless of your income. And you could be, even if you don't receive it, you can be put on the wait list. And if somebody leaves or drops or something happens, you could be next in line. So just apply.

It's a quick application and it's free money that you can use for homeschooling programs. But yeah, UtahEducationFitsAll.com. Go on there and take a look at their website.

Rob Pene (26:08.907)
Is there a direct link people can get in touch with you at like a phone number email or is the link in the bio?

Breezie Tupola (26:16.259)
So the link in the bio is our application and link to my calendar directly. So if you want to get in contact with me, go ahead and click the link. But you can also shoot me an email or a phone or a text message. And I will be sure to give you guys those details as well. So you guys can get in contact if you'd like.

Rob Pene (26:38.998)
Yeah, cool, cool. And the email will be in the description. So you'll send that to me and the phone number. add it in Cool, cool. Any last words for families that might be on the fence? Like, I'm not sure, maybe.

Breezie Tupola (26:44.771)
Yes. Yes. Yes.

Breezie Tupola (26:57.271)
If you're on the fence, the number one thing I would ask you is why. Why are you on the fence? But also, why are you here? Like, why are you talking to me? There's something that moved you to schedule a call with me or to even watch this video. And if it's purely because you're trying to protect your child, because you want something different, because you want them to learn real life skills, I would think about those things because...

If you want there to be a change, if you want something different for your child, don't wait to do it. Act today. Like it's important because this is our next generation and you want better for your child. Every parent does. And so if you're on the fence, just think about why you're thinking about doing this for your child because that is your main priority. It's my main priority is my child too.

Rob Pene (27:30.435)
Mmm.

Rob Pene (27:50.614)
Amen. Very good. Well, everyone, sure to find the Instagram link. It should be in the description somewhere below and then reach out to Breezy directly if you are interested in Aurum, right?

Breezie Tupola (27:51.567)
You

Breezie Tupola (28:01.591)
Yes, yes, or a mutah.

Rob Pene (28:03.894)
or a muta for the micro school. Very good. Okay. I appreciate you. Thanks everyone.

Breezie Tupola (28:08.447)
Thank you Rob. Thank you for watching.