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A Black-owned, locally operated education nonprofit in Nicholasville is offering homeschool students a wide range of classes and experiences, from writing, math, and history to science, art, and local field trips. 

“This [program] is definitely for homeschool families that are looking for a cooperative program to help enrich their learning that they’re doing at home, and just kind of extending beyond the home with all kinds of real-world connections, self-expression, critical learning, and critical thinking that you may not be able to do with just you and your child,” said Executive Director of RadArtz, Casondra Radford. 

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Radford teaches math, English, language arts, history, and bible study. On Wednesdays, a friend of hers who is also a teacher comes in to teach hands-on science with another educator friend who guides the kids through art projects. “So the kids are really enjoying that one day a week for hands-on learning,” Radford said. She also has an individual from the Lyric Theater in Lexington who volunteered to teach the students choreography for their school song. “We found this song that the kids love, and they’re learning dances to it. We’re so excited to have that as well.” 

Once a month, Radford takes the students to Lord’s Legacy, a nonprofit ministry that supports individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. “We help them, and they’re helping us practice life skills like money management, social interaction, fostering confidence, and empathy. It has been really enriching to watch my girls build relationships and friendships with participants ,they look forward to going each month,” Radford said. 

How she started it

Originally from Greenville, Ky, only about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Jessamine County, Radford has lived in Nicholasville since she was 7 years old. She graduated from East Jessamine High School and went to Howard University in Washington, D.C., and then transferred to Campbellsville University, where she received degrees in Theater and Intercultural Studies. 

Radford first attributed inspiration to start RadArtz Academy to her little sister, Christian. “She always said that my brother Mario, he and I should start a program and call it RadArts since we’re the Radfords and we’re all artistically gifted. So that idea stuck with me all these years,” she said. Radford used the name her little sister suggested but switched the ‘S’ for a ‘Z’ to make RadArtz. 

Radford didn’t go to school for teaching but has extensive experience teaching regardless. After college, she went on mission trips overseas, leading to her first teaching experience. “That was when I developed my love for teaching. It allowed me to teach in various countries with different people groups and ethnicities. I just kind of fell in love with culture and people who are different from me. It became a big desire and passion,” Radford said. “I basically unlocked a passion for teaching through the arts. So, I use the arts to connect with my students. I’ve seen firsthand how creativity helps learning in a way that traditional methods sometimes can’t.”

In 2020, during the pandemic, isolation, and collective distress, she started a tutoring program that marked the beginning of RadArtz. She tutored students in Jessamine County but also started a program with Toyota, where she taught English as a second language to the wives of Toyota employees who had moved from Japan. 

Although Radford has two sons in public school, she saw how traditional elementary school wasn’t the right fit for her daughter, Moziya. She loved the Stem Rise Academy for Girls in Lexington, but when she joined elementary school for Kindergarten, Radford found it wasn’t a good fit for her daughter. “The teachers were wonderful, but she needed something more interactive. I have later come to find out that she has Autism,” Radford said.

Several of Radford’s friends who needed similar accommodations for their children encouraged her to start an education program of her own. Many of them were foster or adopted and told me, ‘You should start something!’ So that’s what led to me saying, ‘I want to empower students through esteemed education and life skills. I believe that education is a transformative journey, and it nurtures the whole child intellectually, emotionally, and creatively, and just prepares them for that diverse and dynamic world,’ she said. 

When RadArtz was only tutoring and not yet an academy, in the summers, Radford began to take kids on interactive local field trips, which she called Trippin’ Thursdays. She has included this in her current curriculum. 

In August 2024, Radford opened her three-day learning program and started building up the academy. She focused on third and fourth graders because these are the ages of her daughters. “I thought I could probably handle a few more girls their same age so I’m not spread so thin,” she said. 

In August, Radford integrated “English language arts, math, science, and history. This created an environment where students could be inspired through stories. Especially with history, I love to teach history, highlighting the marginalized voices through storytelling. And the kids love storytelling,” she said, adding that she also provides social and emotional learning through the added biblical lessons.

In the fall, her students said they’d like more classmates, and by the new year, Radford went from four girls to 16 students, boys and girls. Many are fifth-grade students, but Radford said the program has a few middle schoolers and one high school student. The new year was also when she gained the help of two other teachers to instruct art and science. The Urban Village in Nicholasville allows RadArtz Academy to instruct in its space, but Radford said her program is quickly outgrowing it, so she’s currently seeking a space for that. 

Radford has recently received a few different reviews from her students’ parents. “RadArtz has been such a blessing for Naomi. She started in August. Naomi was having a difficult time in public school academically and socially. A smaller setting has been much better for her. She has been able to connect with her peers and Ms. Casondra has had an enormous amount of patience in helping Naomi with confidence in her reading skills. We will forever be grateful,” read a review by the Lakes Family. 

Students have also spoken up about their experience at RadArtz, “It’s been really fun in RadArtz although it’s been a little challenging because I skipped second grade so I’m missing a lot to help me to third [grade] but I’ll just keep pushing!! I love my teacher Casondra and I’m not lying! I also love that all my friends are there,” said Kinzee Long. 

For those interested

RadArtz Academy information can be found on Facebook, but those interested can also email Radford at Radartzeducation@gmail.com. 

Pricing averages about 90 dollars a week for full-time and about $28 for one day a week. “We have kids from Garrard County, from Fayette, and a couple from Madison. That’s the beauty of this cooperative program. We share resources and allow anyone to come and participate in that.”

Radford is hosting a free event open to all homeschool families interested in the program. Her brother, Mario Radford, wrote a book and will visit Urban Village at 201 S 1st St. in Nicholasville at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Mario will read his book and sign any copies brought to the event. “They’re welcome to come and enjoy listening to him read his book,” Radford said.