Thales Academy, known for its "direct instruction" teaching philosophy that has drawn a following among parents who want a more structured approach, opened its Apex campus in 2008, its Wake Forest campus last year, and has plans for many more.

The kindergarten through eighth-grade North Raleigh location, which won't have classes larger than 25 students , will be on 10 acres at the intersection of Interstate 540 and Fox Road, near the Walmart and Super Target at Triangle Town Center. Students currently are in a transition facility, also in Raleigh.

"I am very excited about the small class size. It is more intimate for the kids," said Jessica Osborne, who will teach at the new Raleigh location. "The school is at a great location, right off Capital [Boulevard]."

Despite being only 3 years old, the school already has 700 students. And it's growing.

Founder Robert Luddy envisions three high school campuses with capacity for 1,000 students each.

The school bought 12 acres in Apex for a future high school, which it hopes to open by 2012-2013. It could open a Rolesville location around the same time, and Luddy said there is interest in Cary and Wendell, too.

"Parents want their children to be safe at school, to be in a good nurturing environment, in a good culture, and want them to achieve academically," said Luddy, chief executive of CaptiveAire, a manufacturer of kitchen ventilation systems, who also founded Franklin Academy charter school in Wake Forest. "That's why the school has such high appeal."

At $5,000 per year, Thales (pronounced Thay-leez) also has a relatively modest price tag for a year-round private education.

The "direct instruction" method was developed in the 1960s by Siegfried Engelmann at the University of Illinois. In class, it involves a constant questioning from teachers, who use cues to prompt group answers from students.

Character education is required for all students, but Thales gives no religious instruction. Students also take special classes weekly, including Spanish and Art.