The space -Halfmoon

About

Designing a Dedicated Homeschool Learning Environment for Your Children Outside Your Home

As a parent, you want your kids to have a balanced education that is both enjoyable and age-appropriate, but you don't want to compromise on the quality of their learning. You may even want them to have opportunities for academic study that don't always require you to be the teacher, while still having the chance to learn alongside other children of various ages.

Enter The Learning Space. Featuring core classes, a gym program, and parent-teacher led elective courses for children from preschool through high school. I understand that every parent's schedule is different, which is why this learning space offers flexible program days to fit the needs of your family. The programs include a one-day option, an optional two-day add-on and a variety of clubs for your children to join. Membership is rolling so the space is ready for your family whenever you find yourself needing more.

It's important to note that all of the programs require a parent or guardian to be present in the building for their duration. With families present and interacting with one another, our local homeschool community is strengthened. None of the programs are drop-off, which makes The Learning Space an excellent opportunity for work-from-home parents too. There are areas for adults to grab coffee, work, and prepare homeschool materials, so that you can make the most of your time.

Learning should be social and stress-free, and our space is designed to reflect that philosophy.

Hi! I'm Lindsi

The Vision

I want my kids doing things that are age-appropriate and fun without sacrificing a quality education. I don't want their time wasted in long school weeks, but I want to carve out time for academic study that doesn't always include me as the teacher. I want them to have learning experiences with kids of all ages.

I love learning with my kids outside. Over the years we have participated in Wilderness Kids, Wild and Free groups, hiking clubs, etc. When it came time for social sit-down learning opportunities, we were a part of some co-ops in the area. We met great people and had a lot of fun. There is so much value in all of these experiences.

How could I continue to do these things I loved with the kids as the academic expectations rose? How could I pass off some of the responsibility so I could have more of the "fun"? As a homeschooling parent, I was seeking an opportunity for cooperative learning that did a little more to "check a box" for me as a parent. A place for social opportunities that could also cover some required core courses for me. This would free up a little more of my time with the kids to be open to spontaneous activities without stress of "getting school done". That is when this vision started.

I asked myself, “What exactly do I want for my kids during the week?”

I want a program that takes a core class or two off my plate. I still want a program that allows parent-teachers to share their expertise with the group so my kids learn from a wide variety of people. I want time and space to plan my homeschool lessons so it doesn't take away from my family time at home. I want a place where my preschooler can get the attention she deserves at her age level. I want this place to be meant for my kids without the stress of being in borrowed space. I want it to be bright and kid-friendly.

This is how The Space came to be.

Programs

FAQ

How is this different from other programs in the area?

1. First and most important- this building is FOR homeschoolers. We are not in borrowed space. When students do awesome projects, they go ON the walls of their learning environment! Come check it out- art projects in the gallery, student photography work displayed, and more!
   
2. It is a composite program: some *core* classes are covered by teachers that have taken on that task for the entire year which allows parents to "check a box" for their homeschool. This means your time in group is both social AND academically relevant for your reporting. The other number of classes will be traditional co-op style. This gives us the best of both worlds!
   
3. Cohesiveness. We are taking the "fun" parts of school and bringing it to our homeschool community. A Mascot, field day, yearbook club, and more,
   
4. Parents get a break. There is a beautiful high-ceiling atrium for parents set up like a warm café. This is a place where you can make a latte, work, read a book, chat, etc. while your children are in class. There is also a curriculum area where parents can make copies, laminate, and prepare the remainder of their week so it doesn't take away from family time at home. Both of these things are included in the cost.
   
5. Materials for classes are included.. This also includes a rolling resource plan- building a library of materials for homeschoolers over time.
   
6. Teacher carts- there is space for each teacher to keep his/her planned resources in one mobile spot so there is no more lugging bags and bags to co-op!
   
7. Space available for group activities. Because the building is ours, we are able to host multiple monthly events to foster a tight community among kids and parents.
   
8. Preschool-having an angaging and impressive preschool design allows homeschool parents with littles satisfaction that they aren’t getting left out while the "bigs" are in class.
   

How does Gym work?

I have partnered with Hayner's Sports Barn to rent their space for our program. I have hired two facilitators for an age-appropriate gym class for the kids. The gym is just five or so buildings down. In addition to the general PE class, we will offer electives such as dance, exercise classes, and sports as the opportunities are made available.

Homeschool Program- This will be an optional, additional cost add-on. It will be at the end of the day so if your family chooses not to participate, your kids do not feel left out. If you so participate, you head there on your way home.

How will it be one community if there are different days?

Although there are multiple programs running under one roof, the vision is that the whole space is one that kids can share and refer to. Some plans: Mascot contest, sweatshirts, yearbook club., whole space field days, theatre or dance performances, big screen movie nights., talent show, etc..

How Does the payment structure work?

By the start of the semester, the first *and last months are due. I believe this is the most fair way to ensure that there is some level of commitment built in. This is the perfect blend of being a parent myself and understanding that I don’t want to be tied to something if it doesn’t work for my family, but also recognize that my lack of longevity could jeopardize the program as a whole if I left mid-semester.

Payment Structure: $100 deposit due. Then Sept + Dec - $100 due by the first day of program. Monthly payments due the 8th of the month for October, November. No payment in December

Membership options

Ages 3-4 (young 5 also ​okay)

10:15 am - 12:30 pm

One music or movement class included

Dramatic Play theme

Themed field trips

2 day: $110/month

2nd child = $65/mo

Mon/Tues- FULL

Wed/Thurs- 4 spots remaining!

PreK ages- homeschool

CLUB OFFERINGS

The Schedule

September-December 2024

Email: Lindsi.shalhoub@gmail.com

Phone: 518-312-7887