Focus Academy: Creative, Academic Photography Courses for K–12

The Focus Academy Series offers a full academic photography curriculum for learners from Kindergarten through High School.

Each grade-level course combines hands-on photography with age-appropriate lessons in art, science, math, English, and social studies.

Designed with homeschoolers and creative learners in mind, our series builds real-world skills, encourages critical thinking, and supports academic growth — all through the lens of photography. This series is available for learners around the world online and in-person in Charleston, SC beginning this August!

HOW ARE THESE COURSES DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES?

Our approach goes beyond simple photography projects. Each course introduces essential academic concepts — from writing and research to measurement and scientific exploration — while inspiring creativity and building technical photography skills.

Learners gain both artistic confidence and academic foundations that prepare them for the future.

🎓 Full-year academic structure (one course per grade level)
🎓 Integrates art, math, science, English, and social studies skills
🎓 Hands-on projects with real-world applications
🎓 Flexible pacing for homeschool and self-paced learners
🎓 Builds creativity, confidence, and critical thinking

IN-person classes starting in august & september at the citadel mall, west ashley!

Every year builds new photography skills, academic connections, and creative confidence.

Click on any class image to see the syllabus and upcoming dates for live Zoom classes!

Kindergarten student portrait with "Focus Academy Kindergarten Photography" text, featuring a girl holding an apple, sitting at a wooden desk, wearing a plaid uniform and red ribbons.
A young child using a tablet to take a photo of a fruit arrangement consisting of a banana and an apple on a pink fluffy surface. There are two flashlights pointing at the setup. The image text reads 'FOCUS ACADEMY 1st GRADE PHOTOGRAPHY' and 'NEXTLEV
A young person taking a photo of a cat-themed ceramic mug with a digital camera. The scene is part of "Focus Academy 2nd Grade Photography" by Next Level Photo Education, as indicated above. The background is a blurred wall with a logo.
Group of children practicing photography outdoors along a wooden fence, under text "Focus Academy 3rd Grade Photography" and "NextLevel Photo Education" logo.
Young girl with long hair in a blue t-shirt taking a photograph of another girl outdoors, with "Focus Academy 4th Grade Photography" text and "Next Level Photo Education" logo.
Overhead view of a student in a photography class at Focus Academy, taking a photo of a small object on a white surface, with lights illuminating the setup. Text reads: "Focus Academy 5th Grade Photography" and "NextLevel Photo Education."
Girl in a pink fluffy jacket holding a DSLR camera, with text "Focus Academy 6th Grade Photography" and "Next Level Photo Education" with logos, on a dark background.
Focus Academy 7th Grade Photography event poster featuring students taking pictures outdoors with cameras, organized by Next Level Photo Education.
Silhouette of a person taking a photo in a dark alley, with text "FOCUS ACADEMY 8th GRADE PHOTOGRAPHY" and a logo "NEXT LEVEL PHOTO EDUCATION."
Woman standing by a rustic fence in a field with wildflowers, overlaid with text "Focus Academy High School Photography 1" and "Next Level Photo Education" logos.
Focus Academy High School Photography course advertisement featuring a young woman with purple hair and gothic attire, set against a natural outdoor background, with NextLevel Photo Education logo.
Poster for Focus Academy High School Photography 3 featuring a night scene with long exposure light effects, including purple glowing figures on a beach, and logos for "NextLevel Photo Education."
Photographer taking photos at the beach with windy weather, text overlayed reads "Focus Academy High School Photography 4" and "NextLevel Photo Education."