A diverse secular PA homeschool community
☆ Academics ☆ Enrichment ☆
☆ Social Events ☆ Field Trips ☆ Outreach ☆
☆ Wednesdays ☆
McKnightstown (West Gettysburg)
PreK/K, Elementary, Middle, & High
Autumn Term: Sept 10 - Nov 12 2025
Welcome to The Homeschool Collective! Our vibrant community offers homeschool families multiple locations, on different days, each with their own set of weekly classes from which to choose! Classes are found on the day tabs at the top. Please first read about our fees and policies under the Fees tab, to better understand those details, as well as the About Us tab, for our stance on diversity, sick policy and more, to be sure we are a good fit for your family. Please use the Registration Form found on the "More" tab above to begin enrollment. Parents are welcome to enroll their children in 1 or more drop-off classes. Fees are pay per class, for the term. Once a class becomes full, a waitlist will be started. You will be notified by the email you list on your Registration Form, about class status. You may need to check your spam folder for our email. Please read about our class philosophy on the About Us Page, under the "More" tab above. We believe in the benefits of mixed age classrooms and acknowledge skills and concepts as a continuum of learning. Elementary classes include a range of activities, skills, and extension lessons in place to support all learning styles and levels. Some classes are listed as Elem/Middle or Middle/High, for a wider range of ages, and will be tailored to the majority age range. Please stay to assist your child as needed if they are struggling with completing activities, or having difficulty coping within this structured classroom environment. Also consider a partial schedule, as learning to cope in social settings can be exhausting at any age. Our minimum age on Mondays is 7yo, due to length of classes, readiness levels for structured activities, and number of students. Wednesdays & Thursdays may offer PreK/K classes for 4-6yos, and possible inclusion of ready 6yos to Elementary level classes. You are asked to supervise your child on the grounds when they are not in class. As well, a small snack between classes is advised if a child cannot wait until their schedule is finished. Masks are welcome but not required. We ask that all families stay home when recovering from illness, or wear masks when questionable, to respect the health of all families and tutors, and honor our diversity of comfort levels. PreK-5 year olds are welcome to play together outside under parent supervision.
Big Book Storytime Fun!
9:30-10:20am Ages 4-7
Come share the joy of Gigantic Big Books, as we discover science and nature topics together in this fun story time STEM class for our youngest learners! Each week we'll listen to a story, talk about it, then explore its topic with hands-on projects, art, music, etc. Parents welcome to stay and share the experience! Julia Hancock has been teaching students for over 25 years, with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Middle School Education, a Master's in School Counseling, and certifications in early childhood education, music, and the Montessori method. Inspired by music, writing, and nature, she brings energy and a creative spirit to the learning process. For the last 10 years Julia has enjoyed homeschooling with her daughter and offering many clubs and classes to their local homeschool community. Class Fee: $50
Science for Littles
10:30-11:20am Ages 4-7
Is your child curious about the world around them? In this hands-on science adventure designed for ages 4 to 6, young learners will explore the wonders of nature, movement, light, and life through playful experiments and creative activities. Each week introduces a new theme—from weather and magnets to butterflies and rainbows—encouraging children to ask questions, make observations, and discover how science is part of everyday life. Students will engage in crafting projects, sensory play, movement games, and simple experiments that spark imagination and build foundational science skills. They'll create their own science journals, participate in team activities, and celebrate their discoveries with a mini science fair at the end of the term. This class is perfect for budding scientists who love to explore, create, and learn through play! Shelly Hoffman has a Bachelor's in Educational Studies and has designed and taught engaging educational programs for children and teens for 17 years. She homeschooled her children through elementary and middle school, fostering academic success and a love of learning. She enjoys volunteering at community events and fundraisers, hiking with her German Shepherd, and caring for her chickens and rabbit. Class Fee: $50
The Nature of Music
11:30-12:20pm Ages 4-7
Music is joyful! Music is fun! Dramatic folk tales, wiggling bodies and silly voices are all part of the fun that helps us learn fundamental music skills and connect with nature. While we are singing and dancing, we probably won't notice that we are also developing literacy skills, expanding listening capabilities, building self-discipline and cultivating social skills. Scientific studies have proven that music helps children in all phases of growth and development. During class students will chant basic rhythm patterns, sing folk songs, explore movement and create sounds in a safe and accepting environment. Caregivers are encouraged to attend with younger children and participate in class activities. Class materials will be provided by the teacher. The only thing you need to bring is enthusiasm! Ronda Sprague is a graduate of Butler University School Fine Arts and has over 20 years of teaching experience. She has participated in teacher training sessions for both Musikgarten and Music Together. Getting children started on a path that leads to a lifelong love of music is one of her passions. In the local music community she is an active member of the Flute Flock and participates as a community member in some of the Gettysburg College ensembles. Class Term Fee: $60
Science: Investigating Our World
9:30-10:20am Ages 7-9
In this hands-on engaging class, students will assist in collaborating with their peers and teacher through many science investigations. Together they will use science books to explore topics of the world around us, plants/animals, seasonal topics, and much more. Students will conduct experiments, learn about the scientific method, and support their science learning by writing and drawing to show understanding. This course will be a way for students to investigate our world with their peers in a fun and exciting way! Students will be encouraged to extend this course at home by working with parents/families to find & plan their own science experiments, take nature walks, and/or practice writing 1 sentence about what they learn each week. Kayla Meekins was a public school teacher for 6 years, teaching 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades. She was also a volunteer girls fast pitch softball coach. She loves to be outside, exercise, and spend time with her two young children Lyla and Tucker. Class Fee: $60
The Wonderful World of Dr. Suess
10:30-11:20am Ages 7-9
Welcome to the wacky, zany, crazy world of Dr. Suess! In this fun story time class we’ll have adventures with a crazy cat, help Horton save a world, convince Sam he does like green eggs and ham, learn how to read tongue twisting rhyming words, and so much more. Each week we’ll read a new story, and have a fun activity to coincide with our book. Come join me each week on an amazing adventure in the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss. Whether its building rockets and rollercoasters for science, inspiring kids to embrace physical fitness and a positive healthy lifestyle, or diving deep into the past with her love of history, Jessica Stephens is always ready to bring learning to life through exploration, projects, and a constant curiosity for how things work! Along with studying to be a fitness instructor through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Jessica has enjoyed homeschooling her children for over 20 years, being active outdoors, and travelling together. Class fee: $40
Exploring America's History Makers
11:30-12:20pm Ages 7-9
Get ready for an exciting journey through history with our American Historical Figures! ! Each class focuses on a different amazing American who changed the world. You’ll do hands-on group activities, like building, drawing, and solving challenges, while learning cool facts about heroes like Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Jefferson, Clara Barton, and more. Carrie McDannell and her daughter have been homeschooling for 4 years and she is the inspiration and lead liaison for our new Gettysburg Collective branch! Carrie is currently an administrative and outreach coordinator, planning events and managing fundraisers. She has a strong passion for history and enjoys creating engaging learning experiences for children, making learning both fun and meaningful. Class Fee: $40
Creative Gremlinz: Art for Positive Growth
9:30-10:20am Ages 9-12
Art is about letting go, trusting yourself, and believing in the process. In the Creative Gremlinz class we will discuss things that try to steal our creativeness and how we can overcome them. Using their imagination, while bringing it into real life situations, allows for deeper understanding and a confidence that builds on what they already have. In this heart-forward class, students will engage, reflect, create, and build their confidence, one creation at a time. Amy Rich is an Art therapist coach that loves to work with children, creating a magical reality that helps our kids get and stay Creative. Amy runs her own business, Fragmented Rainbows, offering group art therapy workshops for all ages, as well as at the YWCA. She is excited to now share her talents with our homeschoolers! Class fee: $65
Literary Elements of Short Films
10:30-11:20am Ages 9-12
What makes a good story engaging? What captures our imagination in short films? In this class students will gain a deeper understanding of nine literary elements, such as foreshadowing, characterization, mood, and more, that create great narratives. As we watch inspiring short films, students will reflect on the effects these elements have in creating stories, and practice analyzing film storylines to identify, compare, and discuss how these elements are infused in each work. This popular class is great for film lovers, budding Youtubers, and creative writers! Julia Hancock has been teaching students for over 25 years, with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Middle School Education, a Master's in School Counseling, and certifications in early childhood education, music, and the Montessori method. Inspired by music, writing, and nature, she brings energy and a creative spirit to the learning process. For the last 10 years Julia has enjoyed homeschooling with her daughter and offering many clubs and classes to their local homeschool community. Class Fee: $60
Space Race to the Moon
11:30-12:20pm Ages 9-12
Why was the race to land on the moon important not only America, but to the world? What measures were taken in this dangerous mission to explore space and the moon? From Ham and Enos, to Neil Armstong, how did America win the race? In this class we’ll learn how. We’ll discuss the men who served on the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, as well as the men and women who served behind the scenes. We’ll discover the intricate details that made it possible, as well the fascinating stories from the astronauts themselves. We will also have a class project to display at the end of the semester. Come join me on this adventure that takes us from earth to the moon! Whether its building rockets and rollercoasters for science, inspiring kids to embrace physical fitness and a positive healthy lifestyle, or diving deep into the past with her love of history, Jessica Stephens is always ready to bring learning to life through exploration, projects, and a constant curiosity for how things work! Along with studying to be a fitness instructor through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Jessica has enjoyed homeschooling her children for over 20 years, being active outdoors, and travelling together. Class fee: $50
Stranger Than Fiction: Real Life Literature Mysteries
9:30-10:20am Ages 12-16
Have you ever read a story and wondered, “How did the author come up with that?” What if the truth was stranger than you thought? In Stranger Than Fiction, students will learn the real stories behind storytellers such as the disappearance of Agatha Christie, the alien abduction of Whitley Strieber, the ghost story challenge that birthed Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the real body behind Stephen King’s body of work, and the reclusive strangeness of J.D. Salinger, whose book The Catcher in the Rye forever holds a connection to the assassination of John Lennon. And so much more. Whether its building rockets and rollercoasters for science, inspiring kids to embrace physical fitness and a positive healthy lifestyle, or diving deep into the past with her love of history, Jessica Stephens is always ready to bring learning to life through exploration, projects, and a constant curiosity for how things work! Along with studying to be a fitness instructor through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Jessica has enjoyed homeschooling her children for over 20 years, being active outdoors, and travelling together. Class fee: $65
Sabotaging Selfies: Art & Positive Mindset
10:30-11:20am Ages 12-16
Our negative thoughts sometimes sabotage what we really want to do. You are not alone'- we all do this. The way we talk to ourselves is more important than we think. Through creative drawing and art we are going to explore what steals from our awesome outstanding selves and how to replace it with more. No art skills required in this reflective thoughtful class. Amy Rich is an Art therapist coach that loves to work with children, creating a magical reality that helps our kids get and stay Creative. Amy runs her own business, Fragmented Rainbows, offering group art therapy workshops for all ages, as well as at the YWCA. She is excited to now share her talents with our homeschoolers! Class fee: $65
Fungi: Mycelium, Medicine, and more
11:30-12:20pm Ages 12-16
"We are the oldest and youngest. We are the largest and smallest. We are the wisdom of a billion years... We are—mushrooms." "Fantastic Fungi celebrates the wonder and native intelligence of fungi." With this unique curriculum and it's educational version of the documentary film, students will broaden "their understanding of the interconnected ways in which fungi live and thrive throughout our world—including in our soil, our trees, our air and water, and even inside our bodies... Alongside deepening knowledge of mycology (the study of fungi) Fantastic Fungi offers numerous opportunities to strengthen social emotional learning... where discussion, collaborative activities, and reflection allow for students to... forge meaningful connections with peers, increase their awareness and awe of their natural environment, while having time and space to reflect, explore, and reimagine their world through new perspectives of what is possible." Come join us on this amazing exploration. We'll also welcome some guest speakers through the term! (Class excerpts from Fantastic Fungi curriculum) Julia Hancock has been teaching students for over 25 years, with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Middle School Education, a Master's in School Counseling, and certifications in early childhood education, music, and the Montessori method. Inspired by music, writing, and nature, she brings energy and a creative spirit to the learning process. For the last 10 years Julia has enjoyed homeschooling with her daughter and offering many clubs and classes to their local homeschool community. Class Fee: $65
