Good Shepherd Hall began offering cooperative classes in the Classical Christian spirit in 2000.
A group of like-minded home educators began meeting to explore ways of teaching their children in a Classical Christian tradition, while still maintaining parental direction and authority over their children’s time and education.
We are a group of home educators who have come together to form a Classical Christian cooperative study center. We are forming a coorperative study center, inspired by the University-Model™ approach, and will meet two days per week, where the students will study under professionally or experientially trained Christian teachers. The other three days, they will be supervised at home by parent teachers.
In 2008, we will offer a two-day a week, K-12 program.
Email anneboyd@bellsouth.net or cat@brownresearch.com for more details
Links:
Why Classical education? http://www.gbt.org/clasced.html
The Trivium in a capsule http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/trivium_in_a_capsule.php
How can my home educated student apply?
We're looking for families who:
- who are familiar with the study center and its philosophy of Christian education taught in the Classical and living books model.
- who will commit to support their child's success at co-op as well as the success of the study center.
- who will uphold the conditions of the enrollment contract including their financial obligation and manner of settling disputes, and
- where one parent or guardian is a professing Christian.
In our admissions standards for students we attempt to identify students:
- who are willing to cooperatively participate with other students, teachers, and volunteers according to the philosophy and policies and
- who have evidence of appropriate class behavior and positive peer interaction.
How much does it cost to participate in the study center? There is a registration fee of $250 per family. Tuition will be approximately $1100 per student per year. This covers all coursework and two full days per week of instruction -- at a cost that is less than most nursery schools! Do you issue grades? Yes, although at this point, it is not our goal to replace one kind of school with another but to equip parents to provide a classical, literature-based education for their children. Parents of students in academic classes receive lesson plans so that they are able to provide input at home.
I'd like to teach. We are always looking for professional or experientially trained Christian teachers. We can't have a co-op without you! Please download, fill out and return an inquiry form. Return it to Anne Boyd, Good Shepherd School at Cathedral of the Cross, 1480 Center Point Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35215.
Good Shepherd Hall admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, tuition assistance, athletic and other school-administered programs.
Good Shepherd Hall does reserve the right to select faculty and students on the
basis of academic performance, religious commitment, philosophical compatibility, and a willingness to cooperate with the GSS/GSH administration and abide by its policies.
Current Offerings
We use an integrated core for history and literature using Tapestry of Grace. www.tapestryofgrace.com; Saxon and Jacobs math, Veritas Press literature, Memoria Press Latin
FAQ’s
(adapted with gratitude from CHEF of Alabama and Crossroads Christian School)
Is this like public school? No! Parents of younger students must be present and participating. All students must be enrolled in a church school serving home educators. Substantial parent involvement is expected and required. Students are expected to conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen and to honor and respect teachers, elders and peers. Younger children attend with their parents on-site. We have a zero-tolerance for demonstration of anger (Prov. 14:29, Eph. 4:26), argumentation (Prov. 13:18), dishonoring teachers (Prov. 20:20, 30:17), lying (Prov. 12:22), unkindness (Col. 4:6) of older students.
Do I have to teach a class? There are many ways a parent can participate in co-op activities. Some of the work involved in keeping the co-op functioning smoothly is providing set up and supervising clean up of the facility every week, teaching, substitute or assistant teaching, providing refreshments for teacher and students, tending the playroom, and assisting with administrative planning. Being involved in the co-op is hard work, but rewarding in many ways.
Who are the teachers? And do they get paid? T utoring in advanced math that might be difficult for one family to provide their children. Classes feature experienced teachers and professional community members who are compensated for their time. Good Shepherd is always looking for engaging teachers who wish to share their God-given talents and transfer a real love for their material to students.
What are parent responsibilities? Please be on time! If you are not teaching, assist or serve where you are assigned to the best of your ability. A co-op depends on all members to function smoothly. If you have field trips, appointments, or other priorities scheduled on Mondays that take precedence over co-op, it may be best that you reconsider you involvement. If illness or schedule prevents you from attending, please contact Anne so your position can be covered. All parents are expected to attend monthly assemblies on the first meeting of each month. You will be held responsible for the information presented whether or not you are present. A smoothly running co-op requires your consistent participation. Support your children's teachers by staying informed about their class assignments.
What are student responsibilities? Listen, learn, participate and share. Respect your teachers and fellow students. Be on time and come prepared. Honor the dress code and your teachers and fellow students. If the class has homework, complete it to the best of your ability.
Will students get credit for these classes? Courses are designed to conform to Carnegie Units of high school credit. It is up to the parent and church school to determine appropriate credits. Good Shepherd School awards credits on the Carnegie Unit system, whereby seventy hours of study is roughly equivalent to one half high school unit of credit. Academic enrichment classes do not issue grades.
If I try it and don’t like it, or if I can’t come or change my mind after registering, are refunds offered? Part of the appeal of the co-op is the very low cost. Enrollment is limited. Bookkeeping must be kept as simple as possible and no refunds are available (except for cancellation).
What if I need to get in touch with the coordinator? Participants have access to the coordinators’ office and home phone numbers. Calls of a non-emergent nature will be returned within 48 hours.
How closely do my beliefs need to align with the statement of faith? What is the role of religion in the co-op? Our program seeks to serve Christian parents who seek a Christian education for their home educated students. A primary purpose of the co-op is to encourage the parents’ and students’ relationship with the Lord. Parents and students can expect classes to have an emphasis on general Christian doctrine, classes that open and close in prayer, may include music such as praise and worship and hymns with accompaniment, and may include elements of church history.
I’d like to sign my family up. Contact Anne Boyd at (205) 836-0979.