What if school weren’t just about what happens inside the classroom walls? What if it were built directly from the needs of families, designed to be flexible, and focused on skills that last a lifetime? That’s exactly what Chase Eskelsen, founder of Paragon Ed in Texas, set out to do. After experiencing the pros and cons of both charter and homeschooling with his own children, he and his wife decided to build the school they wished existed—a micro hybrid model that has struck a chord with many other families looking for the same thing.
Flipping Frustrations into Foundations
Eskelsen didn’t just have a good idea; he did his homework. By talking to parents, business owners, and community members, he identified three common frustrations with modern education: schools no longer teach critical life skills, fail to prepare students with soft skills for the workforce, and often aren’t aligned with family values. Instead of seeing these as obstacles, Eskelsen flipped them on their head. They became the three core pillars of Paragon Ed: Critical Life Skills (such as personal finance and culinary arts), Business Experience (through hands-on entrepreneurship), and Kingdom Values (focused on service and wisdom).
More Than Just a Lemonade Stand
How do you teach entrepreneurship to a kindergartener? You start simple. Paragon Ed’s approach is a masterclass in making big concepts accessible. Students begin with a project like a lemonade stand, breaking it down week by week: creating a unique recipe, designing marketing materials, calculating costs, and even pitching to an “investor” (the headmaster!) for startup funds. They learn about pricing, profit, and paying back debt in a real, tangible way. The result? Children who are inspired to launch their own ventures, like the student who started his own successful knife-sharpening business!
Building Bridges in Your Community
One of the most powerful takeaways from Eskelsen’s model is his mantra of partnership. He knows he can’t be an expert in everything, so he partners with local organizations that are. From culinary arts with the Young Chefs Academy to coding with a local tech school, Paragon Ed leverages community expertise to enrich its curriculum. This isn’t a one-way street but a win-win. The school gets incredible programs, and the partners get exposure and a way to connect with local families. It’s a brilliant reminder that your school’s greatest resources might be right outside your door.
Eskelsen’s journey with Paragon Ed is a powerful testament to what can happen when we listen to our communities and aren’t afraid to build something new. His model proves that you don’t need a massive budget or a perfect plan to make a real impact. By focusing on practical skills, leveraging community partnerships, and starting with a clear purpose, any school leader can begin to create more meaningful, real-world learning experiences. As Eskelsen advises, the most crucial step is the first one: just start.
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