Why CHOOSE Branches & Vine Cottage School

1. Children Develop a Love for Learning alongside Moral Excellence and Wisdom

• Children engage with a wide and high quality curriculum that ignites a love of learning for a lifetime.
• We intentionally teach habits in order to launch whole, compassionate, and resilient individuals into the adult world.
• We nurture students to read widely, view biblically, think critically, respond graciously, love whole-heartedly, and live wisely.

2. Every Child Treasured and Thriving

• Small teacher-student ratios (1:10 - 1:12)
• A nurturing and flexible learning atmosphere.
• Instead of falling through the cracks, children at Branches & Vine Cottage School are uniquely shepherded, loved, and equipped.

3. Historic Christian Values & Worldview Conversations

• Parents can trust their children are receiving quality training in historic Christian values and worldview.

4. Affordable Price for High Quality, Charlotte Mason Education

• Weekly rates that are cheaper than childcare rates ... or the cost of a restaurant meal for the average family. ($12 a day for full day option).
• Degreed and specialized Charlotte Mason teachers who are highly invested and experienced.
• The benefits of a rich and varied education, inspired and influenced by beautiful Charlotte Mason principles and methods.

​5. Daily Wonder & Delight in a Tranquil Learning Location 

• We are blessed with a 5 acre campus with a chicken coop, gardens, guinea pigs, bunnies, a resident reptile, aquariums, open green space, and bird feeders.
• Easily accessible school facility ... just four minutes off I-75 and close to many amenities.
• Intentional outdoor play and nature study.
• Settled hearts and minds so children are free to truly learn and grow.

---

Why NOT to choose Branches & Vine Cottage School

1. If you are looking for a full 5-day on-site public school-style program.

• We are not a traditional school.
• We do not teach Common Core.
• We are intentionally avoiding an institutional learning environment dominated by large class sizes, sterile environments, screens, and progressive educational methods and theories (assessments, grades, student comparisons, heavy lecture-based teaching). Read Dumbing Us Down, by John Taylor Gatto free pdf version or paperback version for what we intentionally avoid at Branches & Vine.

What we are ...

• We are a Charlotte Mason "cottage school" that combines 4 days of rich group learning in a warm family-like setting.
• We will always prioritize whole-hearted learning shaped by truth, goodness, and beauty over a primary emphasis on standardized testing and transcript preparation.
• We prioritize teaching "to mastery" and in step with the student's own personal progress and growth.
• BVCS parents are required to notify their school districts regarding excusal for the year.
• We provide families with a term syllabus to help parents keep their children's academic year on track. 

2. If you're looking for the benefits of homeschooling with either fully individualized curriculum ... or without the responsibility or commitment. ​

• We are not an individualized homeschool program where every aspect will be customized to your child.
• We are not a drop-in program where you will seldom see us or hear from us.

What we are ...

• We offer a dynamic partnership with parents who are invested and active in their children's progress and development with us. 

3. If you're looking for a "homeschool co-op."

• We are not a homeschool co-op wherein parents divide teaching among themselves based upon subject matter of personal interest.
• We are not an "academic buffet" where parents pick which days and times and classes work best for them. We are open to parents substituting select books and resources (especially with regard to math, reading lists, and English language material) but this is mutually-agreed upon with Form teachers.

What we are ...

• A wide and varied learning atmosphere where we instruct according to a unified Charlotte Mason approach and philosophy.
• We adhere to an orderly scope and sequence, informed by Charlotte Mason cottage schools of both yesteryear (PNEU) and today. 

4. If you're looking for an exclusive and strictly "classical" learning environment.

• Although we acknowledge that a true Charlotte Mason education is "classical" as most traditional classical scholars define it, we are intentionally shaped by CM principles, methods, and priorities. We encourage those interested in a classical education to read Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition by Karen Glass, and Norms and Nobility, by David Hicks (click titles for links to Amazon).
• We do not conform to neo-classical curriculum and approaches.
  

What we are ...

• We endeavor to spread an abundant feast every day for our students - this includes declining Latin nouns, carving out time and space for math and critical thinking concepts, writing well-crafted essays, and tackling the Great Books ... but it ALSO includes pausing to sketch clouds, singing hymns and songs together, laughing through weekly country dancing, knitting scarves, reciting Scripture and poetry, praying and studying the Word together, decorating notebooks and journals, pulling up a chair to literature tea times, acting out scenes from Shakespeare plays, playing chess over cups of hot chocolate, cheering raucously during "House" Competitions, listening to awe-inspiring classical music, arriving home with muddy shoes from playing outside, reflecting with reverence and delight on the Good, the True, the Beautiful ... and profound JOY during our days together! 

5. If you're looking for traditional math classes

• We do not cluster students into traditional lecture-based math classes by age or stage.

What we are ...

• We carve out time every day for individualized math learning.
  
• We provide multiple math tutors who are available to help with questions, alongside additional video lessons, manipulatives, and resources.
  
• We allow students to study at their own pace and move as quickly or as slowly as needed. We strongly encourage parental support and regular follow-up on math progress and grading. Math and upper level sciences are where we expect invested parental partnerships.
• We do provide math and science "study groups" to assist them in their learning including "Math Labs" twice a week for those who require remedial or are eager for accelerated math support.

6. If you're looking for secular or "worldview neutral" education.  ​
Our statement of faith is the historic Apostles' Creed ...
WE BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic (universal) Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*catholic meaning: true, Christian church of all times and all places

• ​While not every text and book we use will have been written by men and women who share all of these convictions, every book will be approached in light of worldview that is consistent with these beliefs.

• ​We do not require that parents or students sign a specific statement of faith. We do intend to be respectful of the differences that may exist among our students and we have no desire to undermine parental authority. Parents should be aware (and comfortable with the fact) that we will teach from an explicit, unequivocal, and unapologetic historical Christian worldview.

Do you long to be part of a nurturing learning community that offers gracious encouragement & support ​to your whole family?

CULTIVATING A LIFE-GIVING ATMOSPHERE
SHEPHERDING HABITS OF WISDOM & VIRTUE
NOURISHING MINDS WITH A GENEROUS FEAST OF LIVING IDEAS