Home school collectives?
I am curious if there are any collectives or collaboratives creating homeschool experiences for small multi family groups? Thanks to the pandemic zoom solution and some old school public schooling, the challenge of getting an IEP going and then implemented, our student is struggling with school as a concept. The social angle and the training and the need to be employed stand in the way of our imagining traditional homeschool. As we consider all options, I am wondering about something in between private school and homeschool: small group, student centered, sometimes collaborative and project based, always encouraging curiosity and differentiated instruction. One can dream! Has anyone created or discovers and experienced something like this? Like a learning pod during the shutdown but without the district zooms and seasaws, with a trained/experienced teacher. Are there small private schools that meet this description?
Parent Replies
We are looking for something exactly like this! Our little guy is young, 2.5 years old. Would love to see if there are options like this!
We are about to start our first year there so I don’t have a ton of first hand experience but my son (6 years old)’s school, Walden Center, seems like it might be a good fit. It’s very small (my son’s 1st grade class is 9 students total!) and so far we love it. You can read more about Walden that others have written in BPN. They are still open to late enrollment I believe for this school year.
Did you see the recent post for The Earth School: Small group homeschool? I don't know anything about it but it seems like it's just what you're looking for. Search BPN for 'schools with current openings'. I think it was posted last week.
There is also Outside School. Again, I'm not personally familiar but it is listed under schools with current openings and I know it's been operating for several years.
My last suggestion is check out Crestmont School. My son attended for several years and we enjoyed every minute of it. Yes, it is a school but it's a really unique one that checks all your boxes. Small class size, differentiated teaching, engaging, creative, meaningful projects and a comprehensive social justice curriculum. It is a "modern day co-op" with a vibrant and inclusive community. You can peruse the many positive reviews on BPN
Good luck!
If you are open to a collective meeting outdoors at Tilden, we recommend connecting with Brooke at Seeds of Love Collective! She is experienced, credentialed, and resourceful at facilitating engaging projects for kids. Our child thrived in her pod during the 2020-21 school year (when they were 5) in Trackers Micro-school. Trackers is not running Micro-school this fall but Brooke is creating a literacy and science focused collective on her own. https://www.seedsoflovecollective.org
Check out Without walls learning collaborative, a family cooperative that meets 9:30-4 M-f, mostly at Miller/Knox in Richmond but we also rotate to other parks in the area and take monthly field trips. www.withoutwallslearning.com