Home school coop expanding into second year
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A group of local families banded together last fall, creating a dynamic home school experience for their kids.
Taking a slightly different approach to traditional home schooling, kids in kindergarten through 6th grade have been meeting together two days a week at Living Hope Church in Leon as part of Lighthouse Christian Academy.
While the academy is not a ministry of any one church, the co-op allows families to provide a biblically based education for their children. After a successful first year with approximately 20 children, the academy is planning to add 7th and 8th grade in the fall of 2025.
Sharing curriculum and learning materials is helping families collectively approach learning within a broader home school community.
Kristy Gilliland presents information, pictures and other items from their time in South Africa as part of an afternoon student enrichment program for kids in Kindergarten – 6th grade as part of Lighthouse Christian Academy instruction.
The academy is utilizing “My Father’s World” for History and English, and supplementing with “A Reason for Handwriting” and “All About Spelling.” Science and math is being taught using Abeka Academy, and Bible curriculum is also part of the instructional plan.
Classroom teachers are responsible for all lesson plans, classroom instruction and grading, however, they do not meet the requirements of a homeschool supervising teacher under Iowa homeschool law.
Lighthouse Christian Academy is a homeschool co-op, and all students are considered homeschoolers.
Students meet at the church on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30-3 p.m. under the instruction of paid teachers.
Mornings are focused heavily on curriculum and students bring their own sack lunch. In the afternoon, additional activities such as music, art, P.E, bible/chapel, read-a-louds, sharing/public speaking, current events, life skills, and character development are incorporated into the school day.
Parents are then responsible for carrying out lesson plans three days a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in a home school setting.
They have structured the week so that Fridays have a lighter workload, and occasional planned activities like field trips or group programs can be organized.
Lighthouse Christian Academy is following the Central Decatur public school calendar for holidays and breaks, with slight variations.
Students are still considered to be home-schooled, and families are asked to complete necessary paperwork with their home school districts indicating that choice.
Families may be able to continue to participate in the Home School Assistance Program (HSAP) offered by their local school district to help pay for material costs.
If you have children who you wish to enroll, applications need to be returned by April 15, which helps the academy determine how many students they will need to accommodate the next school year. Completed student applications and a $30 application fee (one fee per family) can be mailed to the board secretary:
Nicole Yoder
19507 220 th Ave,
Decatur City, IA 50067
