As of today, July 31st, 2020, we are working to update our health & safety protocols right now! We are in a unique position since we aren’t technically a “school” in the strict sense: we meet once a week, we can easily keep kids in groups of under 25, we are outdoors much of the time, etc. We will have our exact information out soon, but we do want you to rest assured that (1) we care about your health and the spread of illness, (2) we believe parents know a lot about what is best for their children and that we are wise to listen and to make accommodations, and (3) we believe that children are born persons and therefore will treat them as kindly and respectfully as we can. Please sign up for our newsletter for more information as it comes out, or email us with your specific needs and questions at info@loftandfield.com.
Sure! We have a grand opening in the summer, but if you miss it we’re happy to have you come visit us during a class or open appointment hours. Please email us and we’ll set something up.
No. We are not a cooperative, we are an LLC. We offer classes to children ages 3 to 16 taught by Charlotte Mason-trained teachers. We love the idea of parents taking turns teaching, but one of the potential failure points of cooperatives is that parents offer differing interests, motivations, and time to devote to classes. We provide teachers who are highly motivated and personally interested in their teaching area. When we teach, we bring consistent preparation and passion for the subject area; we strive to provide both a wide and deep feast of knowledge and activities.
Children enrolled in the Seeds class (ages 3 to 5) should have parents stay if it is in the best interest of the child. You know your kid. You know what will help them thrive. You can work along with the teachers to decide what the best plan is for that child. Outside of the Seeds class, children under the age of 5 must have a parent or guardian stay on premises. We are a working farm and need those extra eyes for our most vulnerable little ones. Children 6-17 can be dropped off provided the appropriate release form and contact information has been filed and there are no recurring issues.
For those of us who are doing morning and afternoon schedules, we have a nice time slot for lunches in between classes. Most of us aren’t doing fancy meals, but feel free to make your lunches a beautiful experience. When we can picnic outside together, we can have the beauty of the outdoors and less clean up for everyone indoors as well. Bring lunch for each of your kids and maybe grab a blanket for the grass. We will eat outside for as long as it is feasible, weather-wise. During lunch the kids lead their own book club, where they share something they are reading and recommend it to others. This is a great practice of the skill of narration and adds in a bit of public speaking in a very friendly way. The library is open after eating (and washing up) for checking out books.
There is a microwave available for reheating leftovers. There is a very small amount of refrigeration space, so bring a small cooler and ice if needed. Children under 5 must have a parent present during lunch.
Picnic lunch time is open to morning or afternoon class kids, come early or stay late to eat and fellowship.
No. We have tried to cover the parts of a Charlotte Mason education that many parents find difficult to complete on their own. We encourage parents to stay and watch how different parts are taught in a “Charlotte Mason” way and to feel empowered to continue their own self-education, leading your child by example. The parts we don’t teach, we can help you learn to teach in a Charlotte Mason way. Look for our Homeschool Support opportunities.
Yes! Library hours are during class days but we always have someone who can check out your books. Feel free to let your children come and pick their own books and maybe even peek in on a class to see if they might be interested in the future! Field trips that are listed on the website are open to any local participants.
Many of our students have various special needs. Our teachers have training and experience with a variety of special needs students. We also have one adult whose specific job is to look out for these kiddos while on-site. Contact us directly to discuss your child’s needs and we’ll work with you to help your child be successful!
We are not a church. No one is required to adhere to any certain faith or belief to participate; however we are a Charlotte Mason group and many of Charlotte Mason’s principles can only be understood or applied with an understanding of Christian belief and history. Teachers do discuss Christian faith and belief and begin each day with a short prayer but no one is required to believe to participate. We only require respect of others’ beliefs.