Village Home has everything I was looking for to give my children a sense of freedom, a love of learning and a sense of belonging. There are a variety of terrific classes to satisfy a diversity of interests. The classes are small enough for a truly personal learning experience. The community is large enough to provide young children, middle age, teens and adults social opportunities. Village Home is a truly beautiful place to be.
Village Home is an excellent educational alternative to private or public school. I recommend it for homeschoolers who want to learn in a classroom setting, TAG students who's needs aren't being met by the public schools, creatives / artists / divergent thinkers, and motivated learners of all kinds. Hallmarks of Village include flexibility, caring, respect, and community. They foster curiosity and love of learning through participatory, hands-on education. And because of their non-bureaucratic operation, they can truly differentiate to focus on and meet the needs of students.
The class curriculum was nice, but the parents and teachers are very cliquey. Any event we felt like they wanted us to leave. People there would often treat my son, my wife, and myself rudely because of the dirt on our clothes, however we are farmers so dirt is unavoidable. We were looked down upon often like we were uneducated or homeless, no one ever bothered to ask about our backgrounds. My son would often leave his class sad because people would push past him like he wasn't there. Not the place to go if you're looking for open minded non-judgmental peoples.
Village Home is a great fit for us. My son enjoys choosing his own classes. We all like that the classes include kids of varying ages, that grades are not given and that each child is supported and appreciated for who they are. It has been my observation that the teachers meet the kids where each kid is and appreciate where they are rather than try to get each kid to the same place. Learners are appreciated, respected and trusted at Village Home. There are also activities for adults and famlies. It is a very welcoming place.
I am grateful for my affiliation with Village Home Education Center. When I am near the school, I always see engaged students and teachers working together. I love hearing the cheerful noises of children playing, the studious faces of them learning and the interactions with their environment!
We've been Village Home members for 8 years now, and we cannot imagine our lives with it. My kids have all of their friends there, and so do I, as their mother. I have taught classes, and I've held board positions, and the yearly camp trips and other events are great highlights we always look forward to. We love Village Home and will be sticking around until the kids move on to college.
We've been thrilled with our experience at village home. Staff is friendly, teachers are super enthusiastic and engaged, classes offer unique experiences and content you can't find at typical schools. The small class sizes and direct teacher interaction has also been a huge benefit to our son. I can't say enough good things about village home!
The VH model feels like a cross between a community center and a college for kids and is an amazing resource for home schooling families (or as we call it "community schooling"). Students can take 1 class or 15 (most are held 1 hr/wk for three 10wk sessions). Both of our kids attended VH (as well as our local public schools at different times). They took classes in history, language arts, geography, science, theater, art and everything in between. VH teachers teach what they are passionate about and students are fully engaged. VH families embrace a wide range of beliefs, values and lifestyles, working together to create a really unique educational community.
We have been a VH family for a year now and all I can say is that it is a fantastic resource for families. Families may use it however they choose, just dropping in for one class, or taking as many classes as they'd like, showing up for field trips, discussion groups, or just to meet other people who are homeschooling. It is an inclusive and friendly place. I was petrified pulling my child out of school, but VH helped me through the process and was there in case I really needed anything. We are very big fans!
We love the personalized attention they show to each of our four kids.
It it wasn't for Village Home, my husband and I wouldn't have had the confidence to pull our son out of school and homeschool. (We experienced a Montessori preschool, public schools in 3 states, and private schools in 2 states.) Not only do they offer a wide variety of amazing classes, but the support from the community is unsurpassed. Everyone is kind, considerate, generous, and helpful, including the kids. We particularly love the theatre program, as Whitney has a gift to not only direct, but also to inspire and encourage ALL the learners to challenge themselves. I also love the other resources everyone has pointed us to, from curriculum, to Fencing, to Destination Imagination. Village Home makes homeschooling extraordinary. From my fifth grade son, "Village Home is AWESOME! The classes are great, the teachers are nice, and it's easy to make friends."
Update
Our son is now 17, and will complete his AA degree by the end of the school year (still 17). While that is not every kid s path, Village Home allowed our son to flourish and thrive. Homeschooling is what fanned the flames of intrinsic motivation, and the support from the friends he s made at VH is invaluable.
Village Home Northeast Campus is the best! My otherwise unschooled child has found acceptance here for 6 years. Classes are fun and individual learning styles and personalities are respected.
Perfect for my kids. Cosy classes and great staff.
Village Home provides a natural bridge from structured schooling to home schooling. I like that as our schooling choices changed (unschooling through early college and everything inbetween, in no particular order, I might add) Village Home was there with the support we needed. Need a Destination Imagination team? Got it. Love Robotics? Got it. Want to learn how to engineer a radio show? Got it.
Even more so, there is a place for the parent to explore their personal learning and mentoring (teaching) styles - if you have a passion offer to mentor/teach a class!
If you are considering becoming a homeschooling family in Oregon you should (and I don't use that word without thought) take the time to visit, research and explore the offerings of Village Home. Just the process of taking a visit, sitting in on the parent support group a few times will help you thoughtfully work through the issues and options for your family.
Village Home Education Resource Center: Empowering Learners to Create Their Own Education
Are you tired of the conventional schooling system that doesn't cater to your child's unique learning style? Do you want your child to have more control over their education and enjoy learning without the pressure of testing and grading? Look no further than Village Home Education Resource Center.
Village Home is an alternative education center that empowers learners to create their own engaging and fully customized education with the guidance of their family. With over 400 happy learners ranging from preK to high school, Village Home offers a home-away-from-home for those seeking real choices for real learning.
At Village Home, learners have the freedom to choose from a wide variety of classes taught by passionate instructors who are experts in their fields. From art and music to science and math, there is something for everyone at Village Home. And with no tests or grades, learners can focus on exploring their interests and passions without fear of failure.
But Village Home isn't just about academics - it's also a community where learners can connect with like-minded peers and build meaningful relationships. With social events, clubs, and volunteer opportunities, there are plenty of ways for learners to get involved both inside and outside the classroom.
So why choose Village Home over traditional schooling options? For starters, our approach puts the learner in control of their own education. Instead of being forced into a one-size-fits-all curriculum, learners can tailor their education based on what they're interested in learning. This not only makes learning more enjoyable but also helps prepare them for life beyond school where they'll need critical thinking skills more than ever before.
Additionally, our instructors are passionate about what they teach - they aren't just going through the motions like some teachers in traditional schools might be. They genuinely care about each learner's success and work hard to create engaging lessons that inspire curiosity and creativity.
Finally, our community is second-to-none. We believe that learning happens best when it's done collaboratively - when we learn from each other as well as from our instructors. That's why we encourage peer-to-peer interaction both inside and outside the classroom so that every learner feels supported on their educational journey.
In conclusion, if you're looking for an alternative education option that puts your child in control of their own learning while providing them with a supportive community environment filled with passionate instructors who truly care about each learner's success then look no further than Village Home Education Resource Center!
villagehome.org
