School Calendar 2026—2027
Fall Semester 2026: Tuesdays, Aug 11-November 24Parent Meeting July TBDSemester End Celebrations: Dec 1, 9:00 - 12:00
Spring Semester 2027: Tuesdays, January 5 - April 27
Valentine's Exchange: February 9 during REACH class hours Closed for Spring Break, March TBD
Year End party: TBD
Spring Semester 2027: Tuesdays, January 5 - April 27
Valentine's Exchange: February 9 during REACH class hours
Valentine's Exchange: February 9 during REACH class hours
Closed for Spring Break, March TBD
Year End party: TBD
Year End party: TBD
Fall 2026 Schedule:
Class Descriptions are below. Tuitions are per student, per class, per semester. There is a family registration fee of $35 per semester. See the Parent Page for details on enrollment.
*Books shown on the blog may be linked for purchase. Clicking on the book will take you to a site outside of this webpage.*
Kindergarten Prep 9:00am-12:00noon:
Ages 3-5 Tuition $105, plus $10 supply fee
Teacher: Niki Hunt
Curriculum to Purchase: none
Supplies needed: Students are asked to bring their backpack, a show and tell item, a water bottle (labeled with their name) and a healthy snack each week. Due to the high risk associated with nut allergies we ask that no type of nuts or nut products be brought.
From Niki:
My name is Niki Hunt, and I am very excited to teach your little ones. I plan to introduce your children to the alphabet, letters, and numbers, sensory play, games, crafts, and story time. We do a lot of crafts throughout the semester, so I do request a $10 supply fee. My max class size is 12 students. Please have your children potty trained, or be present on campus to change diapers when needed. I look forward to meeting you all!
Kindergarten 9:00am-12:00noon:
Ages 5—6 Tuition $105, plus $20 supply fee
Teacher: Kacie Neely
Curriculum to Purchase: none
Supplies needed: Backpack, water bottle and a snack each week
Teacher: Kacie Neely
Curriculum to Purchase: none
Supplies needed: Backpack, water bottle and a snack each week
From Kacie:
Kindergarten is a great place for students to get more comfortable in a classroom environment while building independence and growing friendships.
We cover language arts and math concepts that are likely review of what they are learning at home. We have a weekly story time, and craft. Students love to have their snack during storytime! We go through several fun themes and units throughout the year. We discuss important historical events, and holidays. Students love to do science experiments and lessons as well! We have weekly PE and recess as well.
In Kindergarten students get the opportunity to practice classroom behaviors, working together with other students, taking turns to speak, and actively listening to instructions.
We have a great time each week and look forward to next year!
Please remember to pack a nut free snack and water bottle each week!
**Students who aren't 5 before September 1st need special permission to enroll in this class**
Consult teachers as needed as to determine appropriate placement.
Elementary History Classes:
Teacher: LaLinda Hopson
History 1st-4th 10:00am–10:55am
Tuition: $40, plus $10 supply fee
History 5th-8th 9:00am–9:55am
Tuition: $40, plus $10 supply fee
Curriculum to Purchase (For each class -each family needs one copy. Students do not need to bring their book to class) : Mystery of History Vol 3 hardcover textbook (one per family) Second Edition of Vol 3 will work for this class
Supplies Needed: Each student will need a 3-ring binder dedicated to history, with 4 dividers, colored pencils, 2 sharpened regular pencils, glue stick
We are continuing on in history with author Linda Lacour Hobar in the third volume in her series, Mystery of History. Linda's conversational style, heart for training students, and interesting tidbits that are not found in all history books, have made her course highly requested. Although used for all ages, Linda notes passages that parents may want to edit out for younger or sensitive students, yet you have a textbook that can grow with your child and continue to enrich them as they rotate through the history cycle at an older age.
This year we will be studying the fascinating time of the Renaissance, Reformation and the Age of Exploration using the Mystery of History text as well as pulling from some other resources. In addition to timeline and notebook work we will experience history hands on by doing some "Living History Days" where we act out or experience an event or the daily life of people from the past. At the end of the year celebration students act out a character from history studied this year as part of a living history museum. Don't just read about history, experience it!
Curriculum may be purchased at https://www.christianbook.com or by clicking on the book images above.
Elementary Science Classes:
Science Lab
Science 1st-4th 9:00am–9:55am
Tuition: $40 for tuition (plus $35 fee for experiment supplies and license fee)
Teacher: Jeanine Johnston
Curriculum to Purchase: The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume 3: Botany Students will NOT need to purchase a lapbook, this will be included in the fee.
Supplies Needed: sharpened pencils, scissors, glue sticks, colored pencils and/or markers.
In The Sassafras Science Adventures Volume Three Botany, the zip-lining science adventure blooms for Blaine and Tracey Sassafras. Join the Sassafras Twins as they travel to colorful locales to learn about plants. Together, you will learn all about the wonderful world of plants as Blaine and Tracey zip around the globe. In the book, you will visit locations like:
The Amazon Jungle to pick up facts about orchids and ferns;
The pampas in Argentina to learn about grasses and wildflowers;
And the French countryside to discover several different kinds of trees!
The twins will meet a variety of local experts who help them along the way to learn about the variety of plants found around the world. Families will read part of the story at home each week and we will do science demonstrations in class and create a lapbook.
Curriculum may be purchased at elementalscience.com or by clicking on the book images above.
Science 5th-8th 10:00am–10:55am
Tuition: $40 (plus $35 fee for experiment supplies)
Teacher: Jessica Smith
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: Spiral notebook and 2 pocket folder dedicated to this class, colored pencils
Get ready for a messy, hands-on exploration of the animal kingdom! In this interactive middle school science class, students will investigate how animals are classified, how their bodies work, and how they survive in different habitats. Each week includes a mix of reading and discussion, hands-on labs, modeling activities, and collaborative small-group work. During the first semester, students will study major animal groups and complete three real dissections: a grasshopper, an earthworm, and a frog.
Throughout the year, students will also practice research and presentation skills by exploring animals that interest them within each unit of study and sharing what they discover with their classmates. These short (2-3 min, super low pressure) presentations and group discussions help students build confidence speaking in front of others while learning from one another.
In the second semester, students will apply what they’ve learned by creating a Zoo Exhibit Project that they will present at the end of the year. This class combines structured zoology study with curiosity-driven exploration, giving students space to investigate animals they find interesting while building science knowledge, communication skills, and teamwork.
Additional Notes for Parents:
Homework for this class will be minimal. Most weeks, learning will happen during class through reading stations, labs, and group discussion. About every three weeks, students will complete a short research assignment at home connected to the current unit of study. For these assignments, students will choose an animal within the group we are studying (for example: insects, reptiles, mammals, etc.), learn a few basic facts about it, and come prepared to briefly share what they discovered with their classmates. These research moments allow students to explore animals that interest them while practicing simple research skills.
Students will also be reading and writing regularly throughout the course. Some short readings may be sent home to support our labs, and during class students will take notes, sketch diagrams, and occasionally color anatomical illustrations to reinforce what they are learning. Student presentations will be very low-pressure and supportive. The goal is simply to help students practice sharing ideas and grow more comfortable speaking in front of others—not to create stressful public speaking situations.
During the second semester, students will begin working on a Zoo Showcase Project. Each student will design a small “zoo exhibit” featuring an animal of their choice. Exhibits may include a habitat model, labeled diagrams, classification information, and interesting facts about the animal’s adaptations and ecosystem. At the end of the year, families will be invited to a Zoo Showcase Day, where students will display their exhibits and share what they have learned in a fun, museum-style presentation.
Elementary PE Classes:
Teacher: April Stauffer
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: appropriate footwear for running and active play (tennis shoes)
PE 2 (grades 4th–6th) 11:00am–11:25am
Tuition: $30, plus $5 supply fee
PE 1 (grades 1st–3rd ) 11:30am–12:00noon Tuition: $30, plus $5 supply fee
Get your kids up and moving with PE class! We'll be playing games and learning good sportsmanship at the same time!
Elementary Music Classes:
Teacher: Benjamin Bricker
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: TBD
Music 1 (grades 1st–3rd ) 11:00am–11:25am
Tuition: $30, plus $5 supply fee
In music class, we will be moving, singing and playing games as we learn some basic folk songs and dinosaur songs! Students will be encouraged to make music by themselves and with others and to create their own music.
Music 2 (grades 4th–6th) 11:30am–12:00noon Tuition: $30, plus $5 supply fee
In music class, we will be exploring body percussion as we learn some basic folk songs. Students will be encouraged to move, sing and improvise.
Afternoon Elementary classes:
Elementary Literature Class:
Teacher: Cody Conrad
(grades 1st–3rd) 12:30pm-1:25pm
Tuition: $40, plus $10 supply fee
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: Regular pencils and colored pencils, scissors and glue stick.
We'll read and explore fun children's books, make crafts, do interactive activities that go along with our reading selection and some weeks have a snack that goes with what we are reading.
Competitive Chess Club (grades 4th-8th ) 12:30pm–1:25pm
Tuition: $40
Teacher: Lyuda Mokryak
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: Chess set (for at home use)
From Lyuda:
My name is Lyuda Mokryak. I hold the titles of Woman’s International Master, National Master, and I am the first woman in the history of Kansas to win the Kansas state championship.
The only prerequisite for the class is to know how the pieces move. If you are interested to learn chess, feel free to reach out during the summer. We will work on every area of chess with a professional approach: openings, middle game, and endgame.
I will encourage students to work towards participating in local scholastic tournaments that occur from October through March each scholastic year. Those tournaments are affordable, and are lots of fun. Limit 10 students per class. We will be using tournament chess sets and timers provided in the classroom, but each student will need to have a chess set at home to practice during the week. Homework will be assigned.
Page to Screen
Teacher: Jessica Smith
(grades 4th-8th) 12:30pm-1:25pm
Tuition: $40, plus $5 supply fee
Curriculum to Purchase: None, though some books may need to be purchased if they can not be borrowed
Supplies Needed:
Page to Screen:
a creative and interactive class where students explore books and their movie adaptations! Each month, students will read an age-appropriate book at home—at their own pace, using print, eBook, or audiobook formats. Reading is reading!!
In class, we’ll spend 4 weeks per book diving into hands-on, engaging activities such as:
Character studies and creative writing
Skits and scene reenactments
Craft projects inspired by the story
Author exploration and fan art
Once per month, we’ll come together on a Saturday morning at Ms. Jess’s microschool space in the Lundgren Building (Oakland) to watch the movie adaptation in full on a big screen. Students will discuss the differences between the book and movie, share favorite moments, and enjoy snacks and social time with peers.
This class is perfect for students who love reading, creativity, and storytelling—and want a fun, low-pressure environment to explore literature in new ways. No homework stress—just excitement for reading, imagining, and sharing!
This class is also great for the reluctant reader because we bring the stories to life with fun, crafts, engaging activities, social accountability & a full movie experience!
**additional notes for Parents:
All books for this class will be voted on by the students from a master list, giving them as much autonomy as possible in selecting the stories they want to read. A full title list will be available to parents upon request.
Book acquisition is the responsibility of each family. Titles can be obtained through:
Topeka Public Library
Hoopla Digital (ebooks & audiobooks, free with a Topeka Public Library card)
Libby (ebooks & audiobooks, free with a Topeka Public Library card)
Online retailers such as Amazon, Audible, or Libro.fm (supports local bookstores)
Local bookstores like Roundtable Bookstore (in NOTO) or Barnes & Noble
Friends or family who may be willing to lend books
Each book will only be needed for 4 weeks.
Movie days are held separately from our weekly 55-minute classes because we do not have time to watch a full-length film during regular class. Movie days are optional, but they are the highlight of the month for most students!
For movie days, parents will receive a Google form to RSVP their child’s attendance and to volunteer for:
Bringing snacks or decorations
Setting up/decorating
Cleaning up afterward
Movie days are designed to be a full experience—fun, social, and memorable for all students. Students can be dropped off or families are welcome to join! Just be sure to rsvp the number of attendees so we can be prepared!
Art (grades 1st-4th ) 1:30pm–2:30pm
Teacher: Kacie Neely
Tuition: $40, plus $20 supply fee
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: Colored pencils and markers, scissors and glue stick.
In art class this semester students will do weekly projects that cover a variety of styles and types of art from painting and drawing to clay and print making. Students will do several studies on artists from around the world as well as learn a variety of art techniques and concepts. It will be a fun and hands on class to help all students find their own artistic style!
The Great American Road Trip- US Geography Class:
Teacher: Jessica Smith
(grades 5th-8th) 1:30pm-2:25pm
Tuition: $40, plus $20 supply fee
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: Spiral notebook for journaling and research notes (needs to be at least 100 pages), 3 ring binder to hold research journal & printed workbook, Colored pencils or markers, Pencil/eraser
In this interactive geography class, students will take a virtual “road trip” across the United States while learning about the history, geography, culture, and current events of each state.
Throughout the semester, students will design their own road trip route across the continental United States and build a personalized map that tracks the cities and states they visit along the way. Each week students will research several states at home using a guided workbook. During class, students will share interesting discoveries, update their road trip maps, and explore each region more deeply through stories, discussions, and short educational videos.
Students will learn:
State capitals and nicknames
The year each state joined the United States
Famous historical figures from each state
Interesting landmarks, landscapes, and tourist attractions
Fun facts and current events from around the country
Class time will focus on discussion, storytelling, and cultural exploration, while most of the state research will be completed at home as homework. Students will also keep a simple journal of their discoveries and create a final road trip poster display to showcase their journey across the country.
By the end of the semester, students will have built a complete map of their journey and gained a deeper understanding of the geography and diversity of the United States.
Middle School Classes
Consult teachers as needed as to determine appropriate placement.
History 5th-8th 9:00am–9:55am
Teacher: LaLinda Hopson
Tuition $40, plus $5 supply fee
Curriculum to Purchase (For each class -each family needs one copy. Students do not need to bring their book to class) : Mystery of History Vol 3 hardcover textbook (one per family) Second Edition of Vol 3 will work for this class
Supplies Needed: Each student will need a 3-ring binder dedicated to history, with 4 dividers, colored pencils, 2 sharpened regular pencils, glue stick
We are continuing on in history with author Linda Lacour Hobar in the third volume in her series, Mystery of History. Linda's conversational style, heart for training students, and interesting tidbits that are not found in all history books, have made her course highly requested. Although used for all ages, Linda notes passages that parents may want to edit out for younger or sensitive students, yet you have a textbook that can grow with your child and continue to enrich them as they rotate through the history cycle at an older age.
This year we will be studying the fascinating time of the Renaissance, Reformation and the Age of Exploration using the Mystery of History text as well as pulling from some other resources. In addition to timeline and notebook work we will experience history hands on by doing some "Living History Days" where we act out or experience an event or the daily life of people from the past. At the end of the year celebration students act out a character from history studied this year as part of a living history museum. Don't just read about history, experience it!
Curriculum may be purchased at https://www.christianbook.com or by clicking on the book images above.
Animal Science Lab 5th-8th 10:00am–10:55am
Tuition: $40 (plus $35 fee for experiment supplies)
Teacher: Jessica Smith
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: Spiral notebook and 2 pocket folder dedicated to this class, colored pencils
Get ready for a messy, hands-on exploration of the animal kingdom! In this interactive middle school science class, students will investigate how animals are classified, how their bodies work, and how they survive in different habitats. Each week includes a mix of reading and discussion, hands-on labs, modeling activities, and collaborative small-group work. During the first semester, students will study major animal groups and complete three real dissections: a grasshopper, an earthworm, and a frog.
Throughout the year, students will also practice research and presentation skills by exploring animals that interest them within each unit of study and sharing what they discover with their classmates. These short (2-3 min, super low pressure) presentations and group discussions help students build confidence speaking in front of others while learning from one another.
In the second semester, students will apply what they’ve learned by creating a Zoo Exhibit Project that they will present at the end of the year. This class combines structured zoology study with curiosity-driven exploration, giving students space to investigate animals they find interesting while building science knowledge, communication skills, and teamwork.
Additional Notes for Parents:
Homework for this class will be minimal. Most weeks, learning will happen during class through reading stations, labs, and group discussion. About every three weeks, students will complete a short research assignment at home connected to the current unit of study. For these assignments, students will choose an animal within the group we are studying (for example: insects, reptiles, mammals, etc.), learn a few basic facts about it, and come prepared to briefly share what they discovered with their classmates. These research moments allow students to explore animals that interest them while practicing simple research skills.
Students will also be reading and writing regularly throughout the course. Some short readings may be sent home to support our labs, and during class students will take notes, sketch diagrams, and occasionally color anatomical illustrations to reinforce what they are learning. Student presentations will be very low-pressure and supportive. The goal is simply to help students practice sharing ideas and grow more comfortable speaking in front of others—not to create stressful public speaking situations.
During the second semester, students will begin working on a Zoo Showcase Project. Each student will design a small “zoo exhibit” featuring an animal of their choice. Exhibits may include a habitat model, labeled diagrams, classification information, and interesting facts about the animal’s adaptations and ecosystem. At the end of the year, families will be invited to a Zoo Showcase Day, where students will display their exhibits and share what they have learned in a fun, museum-style presentation.
Art Exploration 11:00am-12:00noon
(7th-12th)
Teacher: Jessica Smith
Tuition $50, plus $50 supply fee (this supply fee will cover both the fall and spring semesters!)
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies needed: Pencils, sketchbooks, paints, etc (a more detailed supply list will be provided)
Supplies needed: Pencils, sketchbooks, paints, etc (a more detailed supply list will be provided)
This is a fun, hands-on class designed for students ages 13–18! In this class, your child will observe, discuss, research, and create art from a wide range of periods, cultures, and styles.
Class Format:
Each theme runs on a 3-week unit cycle:
Observe & Discuss – Explore artworks, learn key terms, and dive into history and culture.
Artist Research & Presentation – Students select an artist related to the theme to study at home and share a short (2-3 min) presentation in class.
Create Art in Class – Students experiment with techniques and styles inspired by the unit's theme.
Homework: Minimal! Students will do light research on a chosen artist for each unit. Presentations are low-pressure and focus on curiosity and personal discovery.
Portfolio & Showcase: At the end of each semester, students will organize their artwork into a portfolio and have the opportunity to share their favorite pieces with the class.
Art Exploration is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and develop a lifelong appreciation for art in a supportive, hands-on, low-pressure environment.
Competitive Chess Club (grades 4th-8th ) 12:30pm–1:25pm
Tuition: $40
Teacher: Lyuda Mokryak
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: Chess set (for at home use)
From Lyuda:
My name is Lyuda Mokryak. I hold the titles of Woman’s International Master, National Master, and I am the first woman in the history of Kansas to win the Kansas state championship.
The only prerequisite for the class is to know how the pieces move. If you are interested to learn chess, feel free to reach out during the summer. We will work on every area of chess with a professional approach: openings, middle game, and endgame.
I will encourage students to work towards participating in local scholastic tournaments that occur from October through March each scholastic year. Those tournaments are affordable, and are lots of fun. Limit 10 students per class. We will be using tournament chess sets and timers provided in the classroom, but each student will need to have a chess set at home to practice during the week. Homework will be assigned.
Middle School PE/Health 12:30pm-1:30pm
Teacher: April Stauffer
Tuition: $40, plus $10 supply fee
More information coming soon!
Page to Screen
Teacher: Jessica Smith
(grades 4th-8th) 12:30pm-1:25pm
Tuition: $40, plus $5 supply fee
Curriculum to Purchase: None, though some books may need to be purchased if they can not be borrowed
Supplies Needed:
Page to Screen:
a creative and interactive class where students explore books and their movie adaptations! Each month, students will read an age-appropriate book at home—at their own pace, using print, eBook, or audiobook formats. Reading is reading!!
In class, we’ll spend 4 weeks per book diving into hands-on, engaging activities such as:
Character studies and creative writing
Skits and scene reenactments
Craft projects inspired by the story
Author exploration and fan art
Once per month, we’ll come together on a Saturday morning at Ms. Jess’s microschool space in the Lundgren Building (Oakland) to watch the movie adaptation in full on a big screen. Students will discuss the differences between the book and movie, share favorite moments, and enjoy snacks and social time with peers.
This class is perfect for students who love reading, creativity, and storytelling—and want a fun, low-pressure environment to explore literature in new ways. No homework stress—just excitement for reading, imagining, and sharing!
This class is also great for the reluctant reader because we bring the stories to life with fun, crafts, engaging activities, social accountability & a full movie experience!
**additional notes for Parents:
All books for this class will be voted on by the students from a master list, giving them as much autonomy as possible in selecting the stories they want to read. A full title list will be available to parents upon request.
Book acquisition is the responsibility of each family. Titles can be obtained through:
Topeka Public Library
Hoopla Digital (ebooks & audiobooks, free with a Topeka Public Library card)
Libby (ebooks & audiobooks, free with a Topeka Public Library card)
Online retailers such as Amazon, Audible, or Libro.fm (supports local bookstores)
Local bookstores like Roundtable Bookstore (in NOTO) or Barnes & Noble
Friends or family who may be willing to lend books
Each book will only be needed for 4 weeks.
Movie days are held separately from our weekly 55-minute classes because we do not have time to watch a full-length film during regular class. Movie days are optional, but they are the highlight of the month for most students!
For movie days, parents will receive a Google form to RSVP their child’s attendance and to volunteer for:
Bringing snacks or decorations
Setting up/decorating
Cleaning up afterward
Movie days are designed to be a full experience—fun, social, and memorable for all students. Students can be dropped off or families are welcome to join! Just be sure to rsvp the number of attendees so we can be prepared!
Middle/High School Music Class 1:30pm-2:30pm
7th-12th grade
Teacher: Ben Bricker
Tuition: $40 + $5 supply fee
Middle School Photography 1:30pm-2:30pm
6th-12th grade
Teacher: Amy Anderson
Tuition: $40, plus a $10 supply fee
Curriculum: Smart Phone Smart Photography by Jo Bradford
Supplies Needed: A folder with pockets OR 3-ring binder (½-1” is fine) with pockets on the inside covers, notebook paper, pens/pencils. Class must have a minimum of 5 students
Take cool and creative photos with your phone, tablet, or camera! This class will be mostly taught from the perspective of taking pictures with a smartphone. Learn about all of the settings on your device's camera and understand what aperture, shutter speed, and ISO mean. Discover more about the inner workings of how a camera functions. Study reflections, angles, lighting, composition, and more! No prior knowledge of photography is needed.
Students are expected to participate in reading assignments (homework) and emailing or uploading photos each week. The weekly assignments given will include reading, research, a little writing, and of course, picture taking! Parents may tailor the assignments to suit the student’s age and ability. Part of our time in class will be sharing our photos and hearing how their photo creations went (what went well, questions they had, additional ideas, etc). Students will need to bring their textbook to class each week.
Curriculum may be purchased at https://www.amazon.com or by clicking on the book image above.
The Great American Road Trip- US Geography Class:
Teacher: Jessica Smith
(grades 5th-8th) 1:30pm-2:25pm
Tuition: $40, plus $20 supply fee
Curriculum to Purchase: None
Supplies Needed: Spiral notebook for journaling and research notes (needs to be at least 100 pages), 3 ring binder to hold research journal & printed workbook, Colored pencils or markers, Pencil/eraser
In this interactive geography class, students will take a virtual “road trip” across the United States while learning about the history, geography, culture, and current events of each state.
Throughout the semester, students will design their own road trip route across the continental United States and build a personalized map that tracks the cities and states they visit along the way. Each week students will research several states at home using a guided workbook. During class, students will share interesting discoveries, update their road trip maps, and explore each region more deeply through stories, discussions, and short educational videos.
Students will learn:
State capitals and nicknames
The year each state joined the United States
Famous historical figures from each state
Interesting landmarks, landscapes, and tourist attractions
Fun facts and current events from around the country
Class time will focus on discussion, storytelling, and cultural exploration, while most of the state research will be completed at home as homework. Students will also keep a simple journal of their discoveries and create a final road trip poster display to showcase their journey across the country.
By the end of the semester, students will have built a complete map of their journey and gained a deeper understanding of the geography and diversity of the United States.
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