From Our Family to Yours, Welcome to Wonder

Wonder Learning Center began in 2020 on the quiet coast of Pawleys Island, South Carolina—with one teacher, four curious students, and a big idea: What if school could actually inspire wonder? Back then, there was nothing like this nearby—no place where learners could be challenged, supported, and seen for who they truly are. So we built it ourselves. We filled a cozy room with countless books, big questions, and endless curiosity.

And it grew.

Quickly, more families joined. The vision expanded. But eventually, we outgrew the area—and in 2025, we made the leap to the Raleigh Durham area of the Triangle, North Carolina. We packed up one teacher, two founding families, our curriculum, and a trunk full of notebooks, lab kits, and bold ideas—and rebuilt Wonder in a new space, ready to grow.

Today, Wonder Learning Center serves middle and high school students who crave more from their education: more depth, more challenge, more connection, more meaning. We are a relationship-first, cell-phone-free microschool where students think critically, collaborate often, stretch beyond comfort, and grow into capable, confident young adults.

Here, curiosity leads the way. Learning is hands-on, minds-on, and heart-on. Support is woven into everything we do. And every learner is known.

We’re so glad you’re here—and we can’t wait to partner with your family as your child grows into a thoughtful, courageous, and capable learner, ready for what’s next.

Welcome to Wonder.

At Wonder Learning Center NC, we nurture curious, creative middle and high school learners through a hybrid microschool model grounded in purpose, connection, and exploration. We empower students to engage deeply with ideas, express themselves authentically, and grow into confident, capable, and compassionate contributors to the world.

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We envision a learning community where students are known, trusted, and inspired to ask bold questions, pursue real work, and develop a lifelong love of learning. Wonder students graduate with the tools to navigate a complex world — not just academically prepared, but personally grounded and purpose-driven.

THE wonder team

“Learning is not the product of teaching. It is the product of the activity of learners.” — John Holt

Math & Science

Schara Brooks

With 11 years of experience in and out of classroom settings, Schara brings patience, curiosity, and a deep love of STEM to her work with students. She makes learning approachable and joyful by designing lessons that connect to students’ interests and lived experiences.

Before joining Wonder, she sharpened her skills as an instructional designer via Teach for America and a project-based charter school in Durham. She holds a Master’s in Education, a Data Science certificate from MIT, and an AIG (Academically or Intellectually Gifted) certificate from Duke.

Schara believes every student can succeed when given the right scaffolds, encouragement, and opportunities for exploration. She focuses on meeting learners where they are, helping them turn frustration into confidence, and guiding them to see math and science as tools for understanding the world.

Enrichment Director & Student Wellness

Sara Adams

Blending creativity, empathy, and leadership, Sara cultivates environments where students feel safe, inspired, and ready to take risks. Over more than a decade, she has designed arts-integrated classes, led wellness initiatives, and directed theater and visual arts programs.

Earlier in her career, she served as Student Wellness Coordinator at a private IB school, co-creating programs that supported students’ emotional, physical, and academic well-being. Her background spans visual arts, theater, educational technology, operations, admissions, and nonprofit leadership.

Sara’s teaching style centers on connection—she’s often described as a “child whisperer” and a trusted mentor for both students and families. She believes that when a learner is seen, supported, and empowered, they can expand their own possibilities.

Humanities Curriculum Designer & Instructor

Jenny McFadden-little

An educator and curriculum leader with decades of experience in inclusive instruction, literacy, and neurodivergent learner support, Jenny holds advanced degrees in curriculum and instruction and educational psychology, with specialized training in special education and executive function development.

Jenny’s work centers on designing learning environments where students are known, supported, and challenged to think critically and creatively. She blends inquiry-based pedagogy with strengths-based instructional design, helping learners build confidence, make meaning, and connect deeply to the world around them.

Jenny is the mom of her 12-year-old son, Bonham, who is autistic and has ADHD, with experiences of anxiety and complex learning needs that continue to inform her commitment to accessibility, thoughtful pacing, and learner autonomy. These perspectives reinforce her belief that meaningful education must be flexible, personalized, and rooted in empathy.

Jenny lives in central North Carolina with her husband, Aaron, and together they share a beautifully blended family. She has Bonham, but she is also the mom of adult daughters, Grace and KJ, and a proud stepmom to Alex (and her husband, Ivan), and Gabe, an engineer at Caterpillar. Their growing family also includes three bright and lively grandsons, and a perfect baby granddaughter who recently received bilateral cochlear implants—experiences that further inspire Jenny’s advocacy for inclusion, belonging, and intentional, relationship-centered learning.

Curriculum Designer – Humanities

Audrea Phillips

With 29 years in elementary and middle school education—including seven years as a state literacy coach—Audrea brings deep insight, strategic thought, and expertise in literacy to her role. She holds certifications in Early Childhood through Middle School literacy and is National Board Certified in Early/Middle Childhood Literacy. She also holds a Master’s in Education.

Audrea’s passion lies in helping students think flexibly about reading, writing, and meaning-making. She sees literacy as more than a skill—it’s a way to explore identity, question assumptions, and engage with ideas. She designs units that invite rich inquiry and help learners find their voice.

When not crafting curriculum or mentoring teams, Audrea might be reading near water, walking her dog Piper, or spending time fishing with her husband, Tim.

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Wonder Dog!

Pip

A beloved member of our Wonder community, Pip is a certified therapy dog and AKC Good Canine Citizen who brings comfort, calm, and connection to students and staff alike. Whether he’s quietly sitting beside a learner during a challenging moment or joining in for a joyful walk-and-talk outside, Pip has a gift for showing up just when he’s needed.

At six years old, Pip has become a trusted presence at Wonder—part companion, part emotional anchor, and part reading buddy. He loves morning greetings, listening to stories, and sneaking a nap in the sun between classroom visits. More than anything, he helps us remember that learning happens best in an environment of safety, trust, and unconditional support.

Founder & Director

Kelly Hayes

Kelly is a builder—of teams, of schools, and of possibilities. In 2020, she founded Wonder Learning Center with a simple but powerful vision: that school should be a place where curiosity is honored, challenge is welcomed, and students are seen as whole people.

A longtime attorney and national thought leader in healthcare law, Kelly is also the founding partner of Stotler Hayes Group, where she continues to lead alongside an exceptional team. Her work in law and policy informs her educational philosophy: that systems should serve people, not the other way around.

Kelly’s path to education bega with years of school board service, IEP meetings, and firsthand experience with the gaps in traditional systems, she decided to create something new. Wonder launched with just four students and one teacher in Pawleys Island, SC—and grew quickly. In 2025, the school relocated to Cary, NC, where it now serves middle and high schoolers through a model rooted in curiosity, relationships, and meaningful academic challenge.

Kelly holds a dual degree in English and Politics from Georgetown University and a JD from The George Washington University Law School. Whether in a courtroom or a classroom, she believes in asking better questions, creating supportive structures, and helping others rise.

From Our Family to Yours, Welcome to Wonder

THE wonder team

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