What’s Happening at MARS

MARS Microschool — 2026–2027 Academic Calendar
Academic Year
2026–27
School Calendar
MARS Microschool · Huntsville, Alabama
On-Campus School Day
Special Event
Virtual Day
School Break
Celebration
July
2026
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
August
2026
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Back to School Bash
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
September
2026
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
Virtual Day
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
First Day
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
On Campus
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
On Campus
25
26
27
28
29
30
October
2026
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
On Campus
2
3
4
5
Fall Break
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
On Campus
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
On Campus
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
On Campus
30
31
November
2026
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
5
On Campus
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
On Campus
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
On Campus
20
21
22
23
Thanksgiving
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
December
2026
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
On Campus
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
On Campus
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
On Campus
18
19
20
21
Winter Break
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
January
2027
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
On Campus
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
On Campus
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
On Campus
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
On Campus
29
30
31
February
2027
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
On Campus
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
On Campus
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
On Campus
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
On Campus
26
27
28
March
2027
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
5
On Campus
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
On Campus
13
14
15
Spring Break
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
On Campus
26
27
28
29
30
31
April
2027
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
On Campus
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
On Campus
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
On Campus
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
On Campus
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Last Day
30
May
2027
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
🎉 End of Year
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Key Dates at a Glance

Aug 15
Back to School Bash & Parent Training
Kickoff event for students and families
Sep 3
Virtual Day
Technology onboarding — getting everyone connected
Sep 10
First Day of School
First on-campus school day of the year
Oct 5–11
Fall Break
No school for students
Nov 23–29
Thanksgiving Break
No school for students
Dec 21–Jan 4
Winter / Christmas Break
No school — enjoy the holidays!
Mar 15–21
Spring Break
No school for students
Apr 29
Last Day of School
Final on-campus school day
May 7
🎉 End of Year Celebration & Awards
Celebrating our Trailblazers and their achievements

MARS Microschool · Huntsville, Alabama · 2026–2027 Academic Year · Innovate · Create · Pioneer

Our events keep families, partners, and future Trailblazers connected to the MARS mission.

MARS Weekly Dispatch — Tech Spotlight: Cyber Safety
Issue #8  ·  Week of April 5, 2026
Tech Spotlight
Upcoming
Cyber Safety Event
// Event Countdown — Sunday, April 19th at 1pm
--
Days
--
Hours
--
Minutes
--
Seconds
// Mark Your Calendar
Cyber Safety: Protecting Your Child Online
Sunday, April 19th at 1pm Free Event Online · Facebook Live
A free Cyber Safety event designed specifically for parents and educators who want to better understand how to create and maintain safe digital environments for their children and students.
MC
Mercy Clara
Cybersecurity Engineering Student · George Mason University
Leading this session as part of her college coursework
// What You'll Learn
Online safety & digital risk for kids and teens
Practical protections you can set up at home
Real conversations about social media dangers
Live Q&A — ask your toughest questions

Interested in attending or receiving reminders? Click below to sign up on Facebook — attendees will be invited to join live, ask questions, and engage in real conversations about keeping kids safe online.

Sign Up to Attend ↗ Contact Jennifer ↗

MARS Calendar 25/26

MARS Dispatch — Applications Are Coming In Daily
Issue #9  ·  Week of April 20, 2026
MARS in the Field
Applications Are
Coming In Daily!
// Status
Open Enrollment
// Location
US Space & Rocket Center
// Ratio
Limited — Fall 2026
01 // Shadow Day

This week, three bright prospective students came to campus for Shadow Day — spending a full day inside MARS to experience firsthand what life on campus is really like. The energy was electric, and we're so grateful to the parents who made time to bring them in.

⚡ Enrollment Alert
Spaces are almost full for Fall 2026. If you've been thinking about MARS but still have questions, now is the time to act. Schedule a Discovery Call before it's too late — seats won't last.
Shadow Day at MARS
// Shadow Day at MARS
Prospective students got a real look at campus life — working alongside our learners, experiencing the MARS environment firsthand.
// Book Your Call
Schedule a Discovery Call
Get your questions answered directly. Scan the QR code or click below to find a time that works for your family.
👥
3
Bright Students
on Shadow Day
⚡
Full
Spaces Almost Full
— Fall 2026
→
Call
Discovery Call
Available Now
📅 Schedule Discovery Call Apply Now ↗ Learn More ↗
MARS Dispatch — Upcoming Conferences
 MARS on the Stage
Upcoming Conferences
Jennifer & the MARS community are showing up — here's where to find us next
// Event 01  ·  Virtual
May 6 – 21, 2026 Free Virtual
6th Neurodiverse Homeschooling Summit flyer
The 6th Neurodiverse Homeschooling Summit
Jennifer Wolverton is featured as a speaker at this free virtual event, presenting on "How to Use Technology in Homeschooling." Hosted by Afsaneh Moradian, the summit runs May 6–21 and is open to all homeschooling families. Grab your free virtual ticket and hear Jennifer share what's working at MARS — and how tech can transform learning at home.
Get Free Ticket ↗ About MARS ↗
// Event 02  ·  In Person
Apr 23 – 25, 2026 Atlanta, GA
National Hybrid Schools Conference 2026 flyer
National Hybrid Schools Conference 2026
MARS Microschool students are taking the stage at Kennesaw State University to present "The MARS Tech Stack" — a live presentation showcasing how our Trailblazers use technology to build, create, and solve real problems. Featuring students Logan, Ben & Isaac, and Aleksandra, alongside CEO Jennifer Wolverton. This is MARS showing the world what student-led learning looks like.
Visit Our Website ↗ Register Here ↗
MARS Microschool — Course Updates
// 02   Course Updates
↑ TOP
Course Updates  ·  Issue #9  ·  Week of April 12, 2026
AI ART UNIT NOW LIVESTEMQUEST WEEKLY TASKS UPDATEDMINECRAFT EDUCATION ACCESS INCLUDEDNEW COMMUNITY GALLERY OPENAI WRITING UNIT ENROLLINGSUBSCRIBE FOR $10/MONTHAI ART UNIT NOW LIVESTEMQUEST WEEKLY TASKS UPDATEDMINECRAFT EDUCATION ACCESS INCLUDEDNEW COMMUNITY GALLERY OPENAI WRITING UNIT ENROLLINGSUBSCRIBE FOR $10/MONTH
Creative Learning — Units 1 & 2
A Creative Journey from
Imagination to Expression

Units 1 and 2 explore how technology can expand creativity without replacing human imagination. Exploring AI Art and AI Writing & Storytelling — click either unit below to enroll.

Unit 1: Exploring AI Art — steampunk robot creating artwork
// Unit 1
Exploring AI Art

Students become visual world-builders, using AI as a creative tool to design characters, landscapes, and creatures — learning how technology can amplify imagination. Grades 6–12.

Enroll Now ↗

Start Unit 1 ↗
Unit 2: AI Writing and Storytelling — fantasy book world
// Unit 2
AI Writing & Storytelling

Learners step into the role of story architects — developing characters, dialogue, and plot while using AI as a thoughtful creative partner. Build a full writing portfolio.

Enroll Now ↗

Start Unit 2 ↗

Together these units guide students through a full creative cycle — designing, writing, and refining ideas — while strengthening storytelling skills, multimodal thinking, and confidence.

StemQuest — Minecraft-style glowing blocks
Add-On Subscription
StemQuest
Your weekly mission hub for curious minds
$10
per month
Weekly Tasks
Fresh challenges and missions dropped every week to keep learning active and exciting
Worksheets & Resources
Printable and digital worksheets aligned to each unit — ready to use, no prep needed
Minecraft Education
Full access to Minecraft Education Edition — build, explore, and learn in immersive worlds
Your Own Community
Share your work, connect with other learners, and get inspired in a safe, moderated space
Subscribe Now — $10/mo ↗ View Full Curriculum ↗
Cancel anytime  ·  No commitment required
MARS Dispatch — Cyber Safety Tech Spotlight
Issue #9  ·  Week of April 20, 2026
Tech Spotlight
Cyber Safety:
Watch the Replay
📅
Originally Aired — Sunday, April 19th at 1:00 PM
Facebook Live · Now available on YouTube · Free to watch
Free Replay
// What This Event Was About
Cyber Safety: Protecting Your Child Online
Keeping kids safe online can feel overwhelming — especially as technology and social media change so fast. In this free session, we talked through what parents and educators actually need to know to help kids and teens navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
MC
Mercy Clara
Cybersecurity Engineering Student · George Mason University
Led this session as part of her college coursework — bringing real technical expertise
// In the Replay, You'll Learn
Common online risks facing kids and teens — what they are and why they matter
Simple, practical protections you can set up at home right now
Honest conversations about social media dangers and digital risks
How to open better communication with your child about online safety
Live Q&A answers to real parent questions asked during the session

This event was originally streamed live on Facebook and is now available on YouTube so more families and educators can access these important conversations. The full session runs just over an hour and is packed with practical, actionable guidance.

MARS LIVE — REPLAY
1:08:50
// MARS Microschool on YouTube
Cyber Safety: Protecting Your Child Online
Click to watch the full replay · youtu.be/KVc-hoaCQIE

If you missed the live event, this is your chance to catch everything you need to help keep your kids safe online. Share it with other parents, educators, or anyone who might benefit.

▶ Watch the Replay ↗ Follow on Facebook ↗ Visit MARS ↗
MARS Dispatch — Stay Connected
Stay Connected
Stay in the Know!
Follow MARS on Social Media for our latest news and updates
📘
Facebook
@MicroMars
📸
Instagram
@marsmicroschool
💼
LinkedIn
@micromars
🌐
Website
marsmicroschool.ai
▶️
YouTube
@marsmicroschool
✉️
Substack
jenniferfrommars
MARS Dispatch — Stay in the Know
Stay in the Know
Articles Worth a Read
Voices from inside the MARS community — stories, reflections, and ideas
✍️
Tanya Waller
Apr 18, 2026
What MARS Feels Like from the Inside
A student's perspective on community, confidence, and finding your place in tech
One of our students was asked to describe MARS — not as a program, but as a place. What she wrote is honest, thoughtful, and deeply reflective of what we hope every learner feels when they walk through our doors.
Read on Substack →
✍️
Tanya Waller
Apr 17, 2026
To the Founders Carrying the Weight Quietly
What It Takes to Build Something That Truly Matters
A letter to every founder who shows up daily carrying a mission bigger than themselves — written from the perspective of someone who believes deeply in what MARS is building and why it matters.
Read on Substack →
✍️
Tanya Waller
Apr 15, 2026
Inside Our World for Three Hours
A Shadow Day at MARS and the Power of Small Schools Done Right
Once a year, MARS opens its doors to curious families. Three hours is barely a glimpse — but it's enough to feel something real. A reflection on Shadow Day, what new families see, and what our students already know.
Read on Substack →
✍️
Jennifer Wolverton
Mar 28, 2026
Empty Spaces
What I Saw Inside Microsoft — and What It Means for the Future of Schools
Jennifer walked into Microsoft's Midtown Atlanta space expecting energy — and found something more. A reflection on innovation, education, and why the future belongs to those building it right now.
Read on Substack →
Rocket Drones — National Student Drone Competition
MARS Microschool — We Are Competing!
MARS Microschool is headed to the National Student Drone Competition

Our students used Rocket Drones to learn physics — and now they're taking it to the national stage at Space Camp in Huntsville, AL. We hope to see you there cheering us on!

● We Are Competing!
Apr 30 – May 1, 2026
Space Camp, AL
// Rocket Drones — National Competition
Register Your School &
Take Flight Nationally

The Rocket Drones National Student Drone Competition is held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. No equipment or experience needed — anyone can participate. All schools are welcome.

// Venue
Space Camp, Huntsville AL
// Dates
Apr 30 – May 1, 2026
// Events
5 Competition Categories
MARS MICROSCHOOL IS COMPETINGAPR 30 – MAY 1, 2026SPACE CAMP HUNTSVILLE ALDRONE RACING · LANDING · DELIVERY · BASKETBALL · FPVALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOMENO EXPERIENCE REQUIREDMARS MICROSCHOOL IS COMPETINGAPR 30 – MAY 1, 2026SPACE CAMP HUNTSVILLE ALDRONE RACING · LANDING · DELIVERY · BASKETBALL · FPVALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOMENO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
// Competition Events
01
Drone Racing (Line of Sight)Racing
02
Dynamic Landing ChallengePrecision
03
Drone Delivery ChallengeCargo
04
Drone Basketball ChallengeAgility
05
Drone Racing (First-Person View)FPV · Esports
Register Your School ↗ Explore Rocket Drones ↗
MARS Microschool

// Ready to get started?

Ready to Bring MARS to Your Learners?

See how MARS can support your child's creativity, problem-solving, and future-ready skills — in just a short, focused session with our team. Want to learn more? Schedule a Discovery Call today.

Schedule a Call ↗

Innovate · Create · Pioneer

www.marsmicroschool.ai

MARS Microschool — Future-ready learning for curious learners.
We believe every child deserves a place to explore boldly, think creatively, and grow with confidence.

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MARS Microschool

INNOVATE · CREATE · PIONEER

A technology-forward microschool for secondary students. We're not just preparing students for the future—we're building it with them through AI, robotics, and project-based learning.

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