Homespun Schoolhouse of Agapé
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition?
Please see the admissions page for information on the costs.
Can I work or volunteer to be given a discount?
We are paying our staff an absolute minimum salary. The current salaries are based on a fully enrolled school. We will rely heavily on fundraising efforts to lower the tuition. Monies raised by parents will go directly towards their own child’s tuition. All parents are encouraged to bring fundraising ideas to the table and to participate in fundraising for the school. Applications for financial aid are available on the Admissions page.
Will there be discounts for multiple children?
At this time we are unable to offer a family discount. Applications for financial aid are available on the Admissions page.
Do I have to attend church at Agape to be allowed to enroll my children?
While a family does not have to be a member or attend Agape Christian Church to enroll your child in Homespun Schoolhouse you are always welcome to visit. Homespun Schoolhouse exists to train up children to honor and exalt the LORD Jesus Christ. We welcome all children and families at HSA. We do feel it is important that you understand what faith, knowledge and philosophy your child will be educated to embrace, so there will be parent training in those areas. Not only will HSA teach a biblical world-view, but we will provide daily opportunities to be in the presence of God, enter an active relationship with Him, and to learn to operate as children of the King.
Is Homespun Schoolhouse a ministry of Agape Christian Church?
The Homespun Schoolhouse of Agape is it's own entity as a school under the direct oversight of Next Generation Ministries of Agape Christian Church. This makes Homespun both a school and a ministry. Many board members are members of Agape, but not exclusively. The school is run independently and rents space from Agape Christian Church. Church oversight comes in the form of leadership coaching, teaching, training, and mentoring as well as insuring that the school maintains proper legal and liability status.
Please see the Agape Christian Church Website for more information about the church. We proudly embrace the statement of faith found at Agape Christian Church website.
What is your philosophy?
We believe that all true knowledge, wisdom, and understanding come from God. We believe that education is a lifestyle of learning promoted both at home and at school. Education should foster a natural love of learning. A sound education should equip a child to function independently and corporately as a spiritually, emotionally, and mentally mature person. We believe that parents are the primary teacher and that their role is vital in every educational process.
What about your teachers?
Virginia-licensed teachers teach in or supervise all classrooms. In addition, many of our assistants hold Masters and Bachelor level degrees. Please see the Faculty/Staff page for the credentials of the individuals that will be serving your family.
What subjects will be covered?
Our school aims to give students tools of learning that will enable them to become lifelong learners. Students will study core subjects such as Math, Reading, and Language Arts (to include handwriting, literature, and storytelling), History, and Science. In addition, Latin will be the core of the older class curriculum. Arts, Nature Study, Chapel/Bible Study, and Service Projects will be included as well.
Will you be offering any athletic programs?
Students will have the opportunity to participate in daily gross motor activities, outdoor time and free play, as well as organized games. We also have a weekly P.E. class.
If my child is enrolled at the Homespun Schoolhouse of Agape, can my child participate in sports/athletic activities in the county school system?
Participation in certain interscholastic activities such as varsity sports is governed by policies of the Virginia High School League. Other extracurricular activities are governed by policies of the local school board. Currently Frederick County Public Schools do not allow participation of students not enrolled. We encourage you to inquire with the local school board to find out what the policy is and what is available to home school and private school students. Some other alternatives are available such as:
- Sportsplex offers P.E. classes for children and youth who are home schooled.
- All counties in the vicinity of the school and the City of Winchester have Parks and Recreation departments that offer a superior list of year round activities including basketball, soccer, and football.
Our methods are varied. Please see the following websites for information on our methods:
- Christian Classical Approach www.triviumpursuit.com
- Charlotte Mason www.simplycharlottemason.com
- Traditional Classroom Methods
- Hands on, homeschool style, multi-age, multi-level classroom
- Parental involvement is crucial and required
At this time we are offering a K5-8th grade curriculum. However, Agape King’s Kids which is located on the premises of Agape Christian Church and operates under the covering of Next Generation ministries offers daycare, preschool, and before/after school care. Agape Kings Kids is a separate entity run by homeschoolers Jonathon and Victoria Williams.
What if my child needs supplementary help with English and/or I want him/her to receive foreign language instruction?
- We will be offering Latin for our foreign language component.
- Each student will receive reading and language small group instruction at his/her appropriate instructional level. Because we are trying to meet the needs of children at their level of understanding, your child will not be in competition with anyone but himself. Your child will be promoted as he or she gains mastery.
- Learning styles inventory/survey for parents (beginning of year)
- Informal reading inventory to determine reading levels (beginning of year and as needed)
- Phonological awareness assessment with K-2/grammar school age children (beginning of year and as needed)
- Achievement or Standardized testing spring of each year
What if my child needs extra support services such as speech therapy or has special learning needs?
Virginia does not make provision for homeschoolers to utilize special education funds. However the local school district may apportion funds as they see fit on a first come first serve basis. Please contact your local school district for information.
Additionally, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association has excellent information concerning funds for special education -- please go to the following website for more complete information on special education provisions in Virginia http://www.hslda.org/strugglinglearner/sn_states.asp
The Homeschool Foundation is a private organization of homeschoolers who have set up a special fund to allow homeschooling families to access funds to take care of special needs. Please see http://www.homeschoolfoundation.org/
We recommend that you check with your insurance company to see what therapeutic interventions (such as speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy) may be covered.
What about SOLs? Will my child pass them if I put them back in public schools?
Most public schools today are teaching the exact subject matter necessary to pass the Standards of Learning tests. Homespun Schoolhouse embraces a teaching philosophy and curriculum that does not teach to any test. Do to the differing curriculum and the individualized instruction, your child may actually be ahead of his public school peers.
What if I want to put my child back in public school?
The Homespun School at Agape will offer a competitive curriculum including Latin and Math. The curriculum differs from the public school and from many private schools in the area. As your child enters HSA they will be tested to ensure that they are placed at a level that will be challenging, but not frustrating to them. And likewise public and private schools may test your child to see where they will score to ensure the same success.
In the event that you are enrolled in Homespun as primarily a homeschooling family then The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers provides the following information to parents:
“Public and private schools frequently test or evaluate homeschooled children who are entering or re-entering their school. They have the right to do this to determine grade placement and to decide whether credit should be given for work done in the home school.
Homeschooled children of any age or grade level may be tested when they enter or re-enter school. In our experience, early elementary and high school aged children are most likely to be tested, as are children who have been labeled as Gifted/Talented or Learning Disabled. Some school divisions may routinely test or evaluate all incoming homeschooling children, regardless of age, grade, or ability level. A school division's decision to test your child should not be seen as a reflection on your parenting or homeschooling abilities.
Parents who provide home instruction to their child are required to provide annual proof of progress, either in the form of testing or evaluation (§22.1-254.1 C). If you homeschool your child for a year, then send him back to school the following year, you are still required to submit annual proof of progress for your homeschool year, even if you know that the school will test him again upon his return to school.”