Laurel Tree’s on-site program is full for next year, but we are launching a new hybrid independent study program.   This program is for families who want to home school with the support and guidance of the Laurel Tree staff.   It provides more support than a straight independent study program, but less access to individual student funds. 

This is for families who want:
•Credentialed teachers to provide them with appropriate curriculum,
       and group classes that give weekly support for that curriculum.
•To be part of an educational community, but still have the freedom
       to set their own schedule and work with their own children. 
•Twice a week primary classes in core curriculum and the arts.
•Weekly high school level math labs, geometry classes, and science
       labs.
•Art, photography, P.E., and drama classes once a week.
•RSP and support services, plus a family liaison that can help with 
       family support, parenting tips and connections to social services.
•Everything in one place.

    If this sounds like something your family is interested in, contact Laurel Tree Learning Center, A branch of  Mattole Valley Charter.     We have space for thirty students in 2009/2010.


This program offers:
  • Flexible scheduling for you and your child;
  • Once a week high school classes and support in math, English, chemistry, photography, art, geometry and P.E.;
  • Twice a week support in core curriculum for elementary students;
  • Optional participation in Friday art classes; and
  • Curriculum support and guidance from the Laurel Tree Staff.  

This program is best for families who:
  • Want to home school with support;
  • Want a more flexible schedule;
  • Have one parent who can be home and be the teacher;
  • Want the curriculum support and guidance of once a week classes to support their homeschooling;
  • Want to be part of an educational community, but also have some independence in how they complete the curriculum provided.


This program would not be good for families who:
  • Are unable to spend the required amount of time teaching and supporting their children;
  • May have trouble working together to meet deadlines or complete assignments;
  • Want to be completely independent of a group and want to make all their own choices about curriculum.  (Straight independent study would be a good choice in this case); and
  • Have their own curricula worked out and want to have control of the funds to purchase them.


Overview of Classes and Services Provided:
Students enrolled in the hybrid program get all classes and services as part of the package.  Independent Study students not enrolled in the hybrid program may use their discretionary funds to enroll in the classes below when space is available at the cost of $200 a class.


Primary Hybrid Program (K-4):
  • Integrated English/Social Studies Lab (Tuesday 1-3 pm):  Theme based activities and small group teaching in reading, writing and speaking  based around children’s literature and social studies.  Reader’s Theater, dramatic play, and creative writing projects are some of the fun things we’ll be doing.      Students will receive weekly packets of work (Spelling books, phonics,      reading logs, take-home activities) to follow up on what’s done in class.    

  • Integrated Math/Science Lab (Thursday 1-3 pm):  Science experiments, math instruction and games, small group teaching and intervention.  Students will receive weekly packet of work (math books, take-home experiments, worksheets) to follow up on what’s done weekly in class. 
  • RSP support and one-on-one intervention (T, Th 2-3 pm)
  • Arts and Culture Classes (Friday -9 to Noon)

Middle School Hybrid Program (5-8):
  • World Geography Elective (M,W 1-2 pm)  
  • Art Around the World      (Friday – 9 to Noon) This class combined with the World Geography class is a great educational package!  
  • Algebra 1 (M-Th 8:30 to 9:30) or Math Lab small group instruction and tutoring (T,Th , 2-3 pm) 
  • English/Reader’s Theater  class on Thursdays from 3 to 4 pm.    Students will be given weekly reading and writing assignments to follow up on the activities in this class. 

High School Hybrid Program (9-12):
  • A-G Chemistry Lab (Th,  8:30 to 9:30) This lab is for college bound high school students who have completed or are co-enrolled in Algebra 2.   It is designed to complement and complete an independent study chemistry course.

  • Algebra 1 (M-Th 8:30 to 9:30),  Algebra 2 (M-Th 9:30-10:30), or Geometry (M 3-4) with small group instruction and tutoring (T-TH 3-4) 5 units. 
  • Fine Arts – Focusing on Latin American Art.  5 units. This is a year-long class that meets the entrance requirements for a four year college.  (T-Th, 3 to 4:30)

  • Photography –  2.5 unit elective class (Tuesday 3 to 4  pm with lab time TBA)

  • English/Reader’s Theater  class on Thursdays from 3 to 4.  5  units.  Students will be given  weekly reading and writing assignments to follow up on the activities in this class.