See class descriptions below.

Thursday, 11:00am-1:00pm
Ages 12-14
Mentored by: Lindsay Zook & Judith Langford

The Roman poet Virgil stated: “The Georgics lifestyle is vital in maintaining liberty and the privileges that come with it.”

Georgics is the study of the agrarian life: farming, gardening, entrepreneurship, and the connections and values integral to this work and mindset. It is the power of reconnecting to the land and applying principles that promote community and self-reliance. Students will study the agricultural application of Georgic principles including ownership, growing methods, community, stewardship, local interdependence, and entrepreneurialism. These principles yield perseverance, seeing the  whole picture, a good work ethic, self-validation, joy, gratitude, and hope.

Georgics is not only a part of agriculture but a way of approaching life.

Students will read classic books that take place in agrarian settings (The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Children of the Dust Bowl, The Seven Paths, and more) that demonstrate the values and growth that come from hard work. Through mentorship, students will create an environment in which they learn to be agricultural stewards, take responsibility for their choices, share with others the knowledge gained, foster a homestead mentality and build connections with themselves and their fellow man.

Outside Work Required:

Field trip Fridays: Once a month we will either visit a farm, go on a nature hike and learn from Tracker Rob (Nature Specialist), learn about beekeeping, visit a farmers market, and more. Prices range $0-$50

Individual Student Work: will need 5-10 hours each week to complete reading, journaling, writing assignments, work on their garden/georgics project, prepare for presentations, and spend time outside.

Harvest Dinner: In addition, we will present a Harvest Dinner and will participate in a Simulation at home (dates TBD.)

Monthly Class Fee: $85.00
Materials Fee: $50.00 per semester

Thursday, 9:00am-10:45am
Ages 12-18
Mentored by: Shawn Crane

This class provides students the opportunity to explore one of the most interesting periods of our nation’s history. They will study the principles of freedom and the U. S. Constitution against the dramatic backdrop of the Civil War. They will take an in-depth look into the events leading up to, and including the Civil War Era and Reconstruction. It’s not just a history class, however, students will be challenged and supported in building critical scholar skills such as: increasing attention span, managing time and long-term projects competently, reading for both content and application, writing persuasively, debating, and presenting oral reports and speeches effectively.

An optional award/honors level will be available.

Outside Work Required:
Students will need 5 to 10 hours each week to complete reading and writing assignments, preparation for presentations, etc. 

Monthly Class Fee: $80.00
Materials Fee: $40.00 per semester

Thursday, 11:00am-1:00pm
Ages 14-18
Mentored by: Shawn Crane

“Anyone who has done any thinking, even a little bit, knows that it is painful. It is hard work—in fact the very hardest that human beings are ever called upon to do.” —Mortimer Adler

So why do we ask students to do it? Mortimer Adler answers in his essay, “Invitation to the Pain of Learning:”

“Whoever passes by what is over his head condemns his head to its present low altitude”

In pursuit of the lofty goal of thinking, his class will help students explore some “Big” questions:

• What is man? Who am I? Why am I here? What does it mean to be an educated person?  What does it mean to be a good person? What contribution is mine to make? What does it mean to lead effectively?

Some additional questions to help get them there are:

• What does Plato’s “The Cave” teach us about education
• What does C. S. Lewis’ “Men Without Chests” and “The Inner Ring” teach us about groups, intimacy, and cliques?
• What can a North Korean girl teach us about freedom? (In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to
  Freedom by Yeonmi Park)
• What does solitude have to do with leadership? (“Solitude and Leadership” by William Deresiewicz)
• What can Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice teach us about how to be a good man or a good woman?
• Why should I submit myself to the difficult task of learning and thinking? (“Invitation to the Pain of Learning”)

Students will also study characteristics of human nature through Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

The goals of this class are to:

• Give the students a vision of being self-educators and leaders
• Help students understand that they have a unique, personal purpose and that their education will be key in helping them meet that purpose
• Inspire students to find joy in deep studies and teach them how to further their education by:
  • Encouraging them read classics and ask penetrating questions, discuss the great ideas of humanity and challenge prevailing assumptions, in other words, learn how to think.
  • Inspiring them learn the discipline of writing and to see it as a means to further their own studies
    and influence others.
  • Helping them gain confidence in speaking through oral presentations, simulations, debates, speeches, and oral exams.

It has been noted that the vast majority of students entering colleges today have neither the communication skills (reading, writing, presenting) nor the study skills to take on college-level work. Therefore, much of the freshman year (and much of the professors’ time) is taken up in teaching these skills. Our program gives the student the foundation that is so necessary to a great education regardless of whether in college or out.

Outside Work Required: Students will need 5 to 10 hours each week to complete reading and writing assignments, preparation for presentations, etc.

Monthly Class Fee: $85
Materials Fee:$25 per semester

Thursday, 1:45pm-4:45pm
Ages 14-18
Mentored by: Michelle Anderson & Amanda McCarthy
(iLead and Blue Ridge charter funds accepted for this class.)

In Shakespeare Connection, we explore the poetry, humor, wit, and wisdom of William Shakespeare through reading, writing, discussion, and performance. In the fall, we read and discuss several of Shakespeare’s plays. Beginning in January, we are rehearsing and performing! Acting gives students an opportunity to understand Shakespeare’s plays and characters at a deeper level, and “sets the stage” for developing many practical skills – public speaking, persuasiveness, as well as the use of language, humor, movement, and body language to tell a story. Actors learn to work with others and develop as a team, as well as technical aspects of theater.

Outside Work Required: 5-10 hours per week

Important Dates:
Shakespeare Faire: 2/1–(12-8pm)
Rehearsal week: 5/12 through 5/16 (9-5 pm each day)
Rehearsal/Tech week: 5/19 through 5/22 AND 5/27 through 5/29 (9-5 pm each day)
Dates for spring play: 5/30, 5/31 (4-10pm), 6/1 (12-5pm)

Monthly Class Fee: $125
Monthly Class Fee for iLead and Blue Ridge Charter Funds: $130
Materials Fee: $60 per semester