The Wave of Hope Homeschool Enrichment has opened enrollment for its Greeley site for a unique educational enrichment partnership with homeschool families.

The Wave of Hope Homeschool Enrichment, an educational nonprofit, supports homeschooled families with a learning cooperative experience and enrichment program, according to Tonya Van Beber, executive director of Wave of Hope Homeschool Enrichment. The center uses hands-on experience, problem-solving, creativity, ethical leadership and more to showcase what Weld County has to offer for students’ bright futures.

“This is a phenomenal place to live,” Van Beber said. “I’ve been all over the world, and this is definitely my home. And I’d love to be able to give back to it.”

The enrichment program, funded by a Boards of Cooperative Educational Services grant, will offer K-5 enrichment from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6-12 enrichment from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Van Beber said. This includes bringing enrichment activities to the school’s site or bringing the kids to high-interest local locations to see authentic, real-world community work in Weld County and beyond, including agriculture, retail, arts, science and more.

The learning cooperative creates a shared educational environment with educators, industry experts and parents, who can bring their expertise and life experiences, to help address the needs of homeschooled households. The center aims to take the weight of not attending traditional public education off families transitioning to full-time homeschooling, according to Van Beber.

A recent study from the Learning Counsel predicts public education will lose 16 million enrollments by 2030 as parents turn to alternative options, such as homeschooling.

The family approach model allows K-12 scholars to learn in a student-centered, customized learning environment that prepares them for a future career and creates active participation in their communities. Wave of Hope offers courses based on what students are interested in, whether it be literacy, mathematics, the arts or hands-on learning.

The Greeley site has five large classrooms, a traditional school playground, a kitchen for culinary and nutrition lessons, a greenhouse for hands-on agriculture experience and tiny home construction that promotes building tiny homes to give back to veterans and the houseless population in Weld County.

“Is the activity … going to help the students live their best life and really reach for the stars and be hopeful,” Van Beber said, referencing the name “Wave of Hope.”

Students can enroll from one to 12 hours a week, for no more than four hours per day, in courses tailored to their interests and talents. The Greeley location has a capacity for about 100 students per day, but Van Beber expects enrollment to grow past the building’s capacity because not every course will be full.

Van Beber reported that about 30 kids have enrolled at the Wave of Hope Homeschool Enrichment in Greeley — a number she expects to grow by the time the center opens on Sept. 4. Before the opening, Wave of Hope will host open houses from 4-7 p.m. every Wednesday at 1111 6th St.

For more information, go to waveofhopehse.org.

By Morgan McKenzie | mmckenzie@greeleytribune.com
UPDATED: August 2, 2024 at 4:11 p.m.
Source: https://www.greeleytribune.com/2024/07/31/wave-of-hope-learning-centers-to-open-greeley-location-for-homeschool-families/