About

Hybrid Model

For many families, homeschooling can be an overwhelming process that can prove to be too taxing. Some parents might not feel confident in their ability to teach their children; others might feel overwhelmed by the paperwork to comply with state regulation. Still, other parents, might not feel like they can devote the full-time hours homeschooling requires. Perhaps, above all, many parents might value classroom socialization as a means to develop leadership skills, cooperation, and adaptivity.

Hybrid homeschooling is a model that can overcome many of these obstacles and provide for the positive classroom interaction a family is seeking. In the hybrid model, a student can split their educational time between the home and the traditional classroom environment. A One-Room Schoolhouse provides for attendance on a flexible schedule while the parent remains in charge of the education program. Our curriculum, The Good and the Beautiful is an open-and-go format allowing families to pick up right where the student left off in the classroom.

Hybrid Schedule Options

Academic Cluster: Tuesday and Wednesday

Elective Cluster: Thursday

Academic and Elective Cluster: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Click here for our daily schedule

Instructional Approach and Philosophy

A One-Room Schoolhouse uses a multi-age, competency-based approach to instruction. All students progress through the curriculum based on mastery of the material, not by grade or age level. Direct instruction in math and language arts is given in a small group or individual basis by professional teachers at that student’s instructional level. Independent practice and exploration are monitored by the parent assistant. Social studies, science, and electives are taught in a multi-age format with individualized assignments given at the student’s academic level. All instruction has embedded spiral review to ensure retention over time.

Our program and curriculum are not based on one specific educational method. The Good and the Beautiful curriculum creators “intensely studied many different philosophies over a period of years and compiled what they felt were the best elements from several different philosophies, pulling mainly from Charlotte Mason.” At A One-Room Schoolhouse, we believe strongly in the value of a flexible, rigorous, and comprehensive education emphasizing the highest of moral values, the innate need for children to play and be in nature, and the family’s central role in learning.

Academic Levels

A One-Room Schoolhouse provides Kindergarten through twelfth-grade based on enrollment at a particular campus. Some campuses only offer Kindergarten through eighth grade. In general, a student should be five years old by September 1st in order to start kindergarten. A One-Room Schoolhouse does allow for some flexibility on this date based on a student’s academic skills and emotional/social maturity.

High school students will receive a rigorous school curriculum, transcripts, online support, and diverse socialization through our balanced approach to high school learning. A One-Room Schoolhouse will provide mentorship, grading, and tutoring for high school students. You can read about our full high school program here.

Volunteer Commitment

A One-Room Schoolhouse is a homeschool support organization seeking to assist families in their homeschool endeavors. Although we have a drop-off component to our program, in order to keep families learning together and to keep costs low, a volunteer commitment is required.

Parents are expected to spend one day a month volunteering in the classroom. All students must have a parent chaperone on the field trips. For students attending only the elective cluster, a parent must volunteer once every other month during classroom instruction and attend the field trips.

For families with multiple students attending, volunteer times are pro-rated down. Please contact the education director for more information.

Families with new babies will be given a 6-week “maternity leave” from the volunteer requirement. The schoolhouse can provide many flexible options for nursing mothers. All family members are welcome to participate in field trips. For more information about flexible volunteer options please see our FAQ page or our Admissions page.

In compliance with Pennsylvania law, all schoolhouse volunteers and field trip participants over the age of 18 must submit all state required clearances before the start of the school year.

Testimonials

“Our experience at A One-Room Schoolhouse has been nothing short of fabulous for my 12 & 13 year old boys. I never thought homeschool was an option because I work outside of the home but this amazing concept made it possible! Genevieve is great with the kids, is uber smart, has a wonderful energy, and always has a smile on her face. It’s been a great year for these kids (and it’s only the first year for all of us) and I can only see it getting better!” — Parent (students currently in middle school)

“This school has been one of the best parts of our move back to Pittsburgh. The nature education and outdoor time along with the emphasis on good habits and godly character are helping our son grow not only in knowledge but in wisdom each day. We don’t know how Mrs. Peterson does it all but we do understand how her positivity, drive, and pursuit of excellence are giving students the tools to succeed in many areas of life in the future. Truly an amazing place!” —Parent (student currently in first grade)

“This is a place that puts the children, not the programs, in the place of highest priority.” —Parent (student currently in kindergarten)