A Kingdom Education Where God is the Center of Everything

At Rise Academy of Orange County, we believe in more than just education — we believe in Kingdom Education. Rooted in faith and led by the Word of God, our mission is to raise up the next generation to know their purpose in Christ and to live it out boldly, joyfully, and creatively.

Location: 1565 W Hospital Rd Suite A, Paoli, IN | Serving grades K-2 for the 25-26 school year

Lower Level of the Paoli BMV Building | Serving K4 - 3rd grade in the 26-27 school year & K4-4th grade in the 27-28 school year

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
— Habakkuk 2:14

After teaching in the public school system for over 30 years, I knew it was time to do something different — something deeply meaningful.
I’ve seen firsthand how education has changed:

Children spending hours silently on Chromebooks
The pressure of standardized testing taking over real learning
Labels being placed on students who simply learn and grow in their own way

And in all of this, something precious has been lost: joy, creativity, connection, and purpose.

Amy Orr

meet the FOUNDER + EDUCATORS

I believe in something more.

More laughter.
More hands-on learning.
More moments of worship and wonder.
More connection between families and their children’s learning.
And most importantly — more room for each child to become exactly who God created them to be.

Rise Academy was born out of this calling — to offer children and families a school that speaks life, faith, and hope into every child. A school where students are seen, loved, and celebrated for who they are, not labeled for what they are not.

This is my "why."

To return to the heart of teaching.
To put God back at the center.
To bring families back to the table.
To give children more than just an education — to give them a foundation for life.

Welcome to Rise Academy. I’m so glad you’re here.

Marci Payton brings 13 years of experience in elementary education and a passion for helping children grow, academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually to Rise Academy, During the past three years, she has specialized in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), supporting students as they develop the skills needed to build healthy relationships, manage emotions, and thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Marci’s decision to join Rise Academy of Orange County stems from a long-held desire to openly incorporate her faith into her teaching and daily interactions with students. She believes that education is most effective when it nurtures the whole child-mind, heart, and spirit.

She is passionate about the benefits of small-group learning where meaningful relationships can flourish and instruction can be tailored to each student's unique needs. Marci values creating a family-like atmosphere where students feel known, loved, supported, and encouraged to reach their God-given potential.

Marci Payton

View our 2025-2026 calendar

Our Vision: Every Child, Every Day

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
— Luke 18:16

We believe children are more important than what is being taught. While academics matter, it is the heart and spirit of a child that comes first. Each day, we focus on:

Curiosity and Creativity: Encouraging exploration, imagination, and discovery through hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities.
Personal Growth and Joy: Nurturing each child’s interests and strengths while celebrating who God made them to be.
Prayer and Worship: Building a rhythm of daily worship and prayer to help children draw near to God.

Our Approach

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
— Ephesians 2:10

Our classroom environments are child-centered, rich in love, joy, and encouragement. We prioritize what children can do rather than what they can’t. Every moment is an opportunity to uplift and celebrate the image of God in each child.

Rooted in Scripture

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…”
— 1 Peter 2:9

The Word of God is not just part of our curriculum — it’s the foundation of our identity. We teach and model biblical truths, helping children build a relationship with Jesus and grow in their faith every day.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20

Tuition & Payment Information

If you believe in nurturing the whole child — heart, mind, body, and spirit — we invite you to become part of the Rise Academy family. Together, we’ll raise children who are confident, compassionate, and anchored in Christ.

Rise Academy of Orange County:
Where children rise to their God-given potential.
Every Child. Every Day. In Jesus’ Name.

We’re excited for our second year of Rise Academt August 11th-14th with a special kickoff week called RISE CAMP. This will be a half-day week focused on getting to know our students, building relationships, and establishing our school culture.
Regular classes will begin August 18th.