Temecula – October 13, 2026 -- Elite Academic Academy, a California public charter network for TK–12 students, is expanding teacher-led immersive learning through partnerships with Meta and Knoxlabs, according to a September 2026 cover story in The Enterprise World.
Elite runs three learning models backed by credentialed teachers
The network, founded in 2018, delivers instruction through the Homeschool Academy, the Virtual Academy and the Flex Academy. The Virtual Academy is fully online and self-paced for Grades 6–12. The Flex Academy combines live virtual sessions with offline curriculum. The Homeschool Academy partners parents with Elite educators.
All three models use California-credentialed teachers, a guaranteed and viable curriculum, and individualized academic planning. Target groups include accelerated learners, athletes and performers, English learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged students.
Career pathways span five fields and a first-of-its-kind HOSA chapter
Elite offers Career Technical Education pathways in healthcare, marketing, architecture, cybersecurity and education. It became California's first non-classroom-based program to earn an official HOSA chapter.
CEO Kirkland-Haynes brings 20 years of TK–12 leadership
Ashlea Kirkland-Haynes leads the network as CEO. She previously served as Elite's Director of Virtual Education and Chief Student Development Officer. She frames the network's mandate as broader than test preparation, built around a "Portrait of a Learner" framework of six competencies: Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Curiosity and Compassion.
Elite targets universities, healthcare systems and businesses for new collaborations
The network plans to deepen ties with universities, healthcare systems, businesses and nonprofits. It also intends to expand its use of artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Kirkland-Haynes said education must stay "deeply human" as it becomes more innovative.