For homeschool families in the Estes Park School District, learning doesn’t always happen at home.
Each week, dozens of local students gather at the YMCA of the Rockies to take part in classes ranging from art and Spanish to drama, storytelling, physical education, and STEAM through the Estes Park Options Program.
The program serves homeschool students in kindergarten through eighth grade and is designed to complement the education students receive at home. Students attend one day each week, either Wednesday or Thursday, giving families some flexibility in scheduling.
Now in its 17th year, the options program has grown considerably since it began during the 2009–2010 school year with 21 students. Enrollment for the upcoming school year stands at 66 students.
Program Director Janet Fanning said the program was created to give homeschooling families access to enrichment opportunities that can be difficult to provide in a home setting.
“Parents remain their child’s primary educator,” Fanning said. “The options program offers students the opportunity to participate in classes, collaborate with their peers, build friendships, and enjoy experiences such as art, Spanish, drama, storytelling, physical education, STEAM, and many field trips.”
A day of enrichment
A typical day at the options program includes six enrichment classes: STEAM, storytelling, drama, Spanish, physical education, and art.
Students are divided into three groups based on their grade level: kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade, and sixth through eighth grade. The grouping allows teachers to tailor lessons to students’ ages and developmental levels.
The day also includes time for students from different grade levels to come together during recess and lunch. Those opportunities to interact with other students are an important part of the program, Fanning said.
Many families tell Fanning that their children value the friendships they develop through the options program as much as the classes themselves. Students regularly work together, participate in group activities, and have opportunities to build relationships with other homeschool students.
For families, the program can provide a balance between the flexibility of homeschooling and the social and educational experiences that come with learning alongside peers.
A growing program
The options program has expanded as enrollment has increased. Last year, students were divided into two groups, with classes offered on both Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The two-day schedule allows students to attend on one designated day each week while helping the program accommodate its growing enrollment.
Fanning said the families participating in the program represent a wide range of homeschooling experiences. There is no single reason families choose to homeschool, and parents have different educational goals and circumstances.
The options program is intended to work alongside those individual approaches rather than replace them.
“We are proud to partner with homeschool families by providing a welcoming, supportive environment where students can explore new interests, build friendships, while parents remain their child’s primary educator,” Fanning said.
Connecting with the district
Although students participating in the options program are homeschooled, the program also provides a connection to the broader Estes Park School District community.
Depending on their grade level and eligibility, homeschool students can participate in district extracurricular activities and programs, including athletics, clubs, and other school activities.
The program is funded through the Estes Park School District in accordance with Colorado’s public school funding model for eligible students. Participants are included in the district’s October count as part-time students.
Fanning said one misconception about homeschooling is that all homeschool families follow the same path or that homeschooled students lack opportunities for social interaction.
The options program, she said, provides one example of how homeschool students can participate in group learning and build relationships while continuing to be educated primarily at home.
Learning at the YMCA of the Rockies
The program’s location at the YMCA of the Rockies is another distinctive feature.
Students spend their weekly school day in a mountain setting that gives them opportunities to learn, explore and interact with one another outside of a traditional school building.
For Fanning, the community that has developed around the program over the years is one of its most important characteristics.
“The options program is a wonderful opportunity for homeschool families to be part of the Estes Park School District community while maintaining the flexibility and individualized learning that homeschooling provides,” Fanning said.
The program is currently enrolling students for the upcoming school year. Families who homeschool and live within the Estes Park School District boundaries can contact Fanning at janet_fanning@psdr3.k12.co.us for additional information.
More information about the program is also available through the Estes Park School District at www.estesschools.org.