A diverse secular PA homeschool community
☆ Academics ☆ Enrichment ☆
☆ Social Events ☆ Field Trips ☆ Outreach ☆
☆ Wednesdays ☆
McKnightstown (West Gettysburg)
PreK/Kindergarten & Elementary
Winter Term: Jan 14- March 18 2026
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.
Exploring Science Part 2
10-10:40am 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 Air & Sound, become Rock detectives, simple machines, water wonders, Spac,e and Volcanoes through playful experiments and creative activities. Each week introduces a new theme—from Nature, Simple Machines, Space, and their environment—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! 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
Winter Art Series
10:45-11:25am Ages 4-7
Winter can be fascinating! Using Sensory experiences and integrative learning we are going on a winter exploration through creativity. Creating fun projects with snowmen, snowglobes & snowangels along with learning about animals, hibernation and nature this class is sure to spark a Wonder for Winter in your child. 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: $60
Morning Friends Learning Circle: Counting, Silly Songs and More!
11:30-12:10pm Ages 4-7
What better reason to come together as young homeschoolers, than having fun learning with new friends! In our morning meeting class we will learn about the calendar and the months of the year, days of the week, weather and counting. We will do silly songs, dances, games and more counting. Let's share the joy of learning - the perfect "First Class Experience"! Parent/guardians are welcome to join in, for any little one who needs support. I hope you will come and enjoy learning with me! Marty Hahn is a retired classroom nurse. For 25 years she enjoyed helping special needs children learn, working as a team to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of students. Now she helps her 2 Greats! (great grand kids) with their learning journey. Marty is excited to share her joy of learning with children of The Homeschool Collective and we welcome her! Class Fee: $ 50
** Please stay & enjoy your lunch with friends! The Play Room will also be open.
12:15-1pm
Pre-k/Kindergarten:
Art for Positivity: Creative Gremlinz:
10-10:40am Ages 8-11
Art is about letting go, trusting yourself, believing in something greater than you. Through art we will look at the things that steal our confidence and learn to be the best versions of ourselves. In this next series of classes, we will be taking our Gremlinz on some new interesting adventures with various animals that we will create. Exploring different scenarios where our negative Gremlin might try to trick or trap us into believing negative thoughts. We'll be building confident kids, one creation at a time. No worries if you were not part of the 1st class. Adventure Awaits! 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
Exploring World Cultures
10:45-11:25am Ages 8-11
It’s time to explore! In this fun class we’ll be introducing children to the richness of global diversity through hands-on experiences with food, art, language, music, and traditions. This interactive program fosters curiosity, respect, and appreciation for cultures around the world. Students will embark on a journey across continents, exploring how people live, celebrate, and express themselves. Each session combines learning with creative activities to make cultural discovery fun and memorable. Each student will have their own folder to keep their work and for evaluation purposes. Join us! 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
Women in American History
11:30-12pm Ages 8-11
Join us for a fun and inspiring class all about Women in U.S. History! We’ll learn about amazing women who helped shape our country, from brave leaders and inventors to artists and activists. Through stories, games, and activities, students will discover how these women made a difference and how they can too! 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 * Please stay to enjoy your lunch with friends!
** Please stay & enjoy your lunch with friends! The Play Room will also be open.
12:15-12:45pm
Animals in Winter: Foragers, Migrators, and Hibernators
12:45-1:30pm Ages 8-11
Join us for a fun and interactive class all about how animals survive the cold winter months! We’ll discover how bears hibernate, how squirrels store their food, and how foxes stay warm in the snow. Kids will have a blast learning through hands-on activities, group games, and creative challenges, as we explore where animals go and what they do when the world turns frosty. Come ready to learn, play, and work together as we uncover the secrets of winter wildlife! Eric has been an avid outdoorsman his whole life and has a deep love for exploring and learning about wildlife. He’s passionate about sharing his knowledge and excitement for nature with others. As a dedicated homeschooling dad since his daughter’s preschool days, Eric believes that hands-on experiences are the best way to learn,especially when it comes to discovering the wonders of the outdoors! Class Fee: $40
