Homeschool Enrichment Classes

The purpose of homeschooling our children is to educate them ourselves, as the parents.  If you have been homeschooling for any length of time you have probably seen or heard of classes that are offered to home schoolers.  So what are they?  Where can you find them?

Enrichment classes are just that - for enrichment purposes.  They are not to take the place of the primary teaching that takes place in the home.  These are classes that you generally pay for on a monthly basis and can range from science, math, and writing to ballet, guitar or karate.  One such place that offers a wide range of enrichment classes here in Raleigh is New Life Camp.  They are located on Falls of Neuse Road near Durant Road.  Not only is New Life Camp and actual camp, but they have a wide range of classes for homeschoolers that you can see here.  Some classes offered are General Science, Economics, Spanish, Chemistry and World History.  Classes are for students in grades 8 through 12.

But New Life Camp is not the only place where you can find such classes.  There are a large variety of classes that are offered in the home of the teacher.  You can find listings for these classes either through the local homeschool e-loop on Yahoo called Spice-line or by contacting your local support group.

An important thing to remember when looking at enrichment classes is that not only are they not to take the place of the primary teaching in your home but that each class/subject that your child is taking outside of the home should not meet more than once a week.  According the the NCDNPE website (North Carlina Department of Non-Public Education): "Evaluate very carefully proposals from porfessional educators (or organizations) attempting to offer such "pro-family" classes or services (or claim to be operating ministries) to home school students.  Such instructional arrangements are legally permissible only if the classes are supplementing what the parent/guardian is teaching the student in that academic subject at home (NOT the parent/guardian supplementing what the professional classroom educator is teaching the student)."

For example, if you are teaching your child pre-algebra at home but you find an enrichment class that is teaching the same thing, consider the class to be primarily a glorified tutoring session (but with a group).  You, as the parent/teacher, will be teaching your child at home and the professional teacher at the enrichment class should merely be going over materials and explaining facts that the students need help with.

Enrichment classes can be a huge asset to your homeschool.  Don't be afraid to utilize them.  As your child gets older there may be subjects that you need assistance in teaching.  As long as you don't become secondary to these enrichment teachers, you will be fine.