Why CHOOSE Branches & Vine Cottage School

1. Children develop a love for learning by partaking of "the feast."
  • Children engage with a wide and high quality curriculum that ignites a love of learning for a lifetime.
  • We intentionally teach "habits" of thought and life ... in order to launch humble, wise, and resilient individuals into the adult world.
  • We guide students to read widely, view biblically, think critically, respond graciously, love whole-heartedly, walk humbly, and live wisely.

2. Every child treasured and thriving.
  • Small teacher-student ratios (1:10 - 1:12)
  • A gentle 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 truths and values.
  • Parents can trust their children are receiving quality training in historic Christian values as expressed through unchanging biblical truth.

4. Affordable resource fees for a rich Charlotte Mason Education
  • Weekly fees that are cheaper than childcare rates ... or the cost of a restaurant meal for the average family ($12 a day).
  • Degreed and specialized Charlotte Mason teachers who are highly invested and experienced.
  • The benefits of a high quality and varied education, inspired and influenced by beautiful Charlotte Mason educational 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 (including an emphasis on assessments, grades, student comparisons, lecture-based teaching).

What we are ...
  • We are a Charlotte Mason "cottage school" (homeschool hybrid) in partnership with parents that combines optional days of dynamic group learning in a warm family-like setting.
  • We will always prioritize whole-hearted learning shaped by truth, goodness, and beauty … in step with the student's own personal progress and growth.
  • BVCS parents are required to notify their school districts regarding homeschooling excusal for the year.
  • We provide families with a term syllabus to help monitor their children's academic year while at B&V.
2. If you're looking for the benefits of homeschooling without the responsibility or commitment. ​​
  • We are not a drop-off program where you will seldom see us or hear from us.
What we are ...
  • We offer a vibrant learning atmosphere alongside parents who are invested and active in their children's progress and development. 
3. If you're looking for a co-op with a hodge podge of electives.
  • We are not an eclectic homeschool enrichment co-op wherein parents divide teaching among themselves based upon subject matters of personal interest.
  • We are not a co-op wherein you choose which days and times you want to show up. 
What we are ...
  • A small “homeschool hybrid” where we instruct according to a unified Charlotte Mason approach and philosophy.
  • We adhere to an orderly scope and sequence reflective of both yesteryear (PNEU) and today (AmblesideOnline Groups for cottage schools)
4. If you're looking for a "neo-classical" learning environment.
  • We are intentionally shaped by CM principles, methods, and priorities.
  • We encourage those interested in a "classical education" to first read Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition by Karen Glass.
  • We do not conform to mainstream "neo-classical" curriculum and approaches (Veritas Press, Well-Trained Mind, Classical Conversations, for example).
  • ​Neither are we "unschoolers" wherein learning is student-led with little to no framework of learning.
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, working towards well-crafted essays, and tackling the Great Books ... but it ALSO includes reading widely among many "living books," narrating thoughts and ideas, pausing to sketch clouds during nature study, singing hymns and songs together, laughing through weekly folk dancing, crocheting scarves, reciting Scripture and poetry, praying and studying the Word together, decorating notebooks and journals, pulling up a chair to poetry 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 (sometimes), reflecting with reverence and delight on the good, the true, the beautiful!
  • We are a good schooling option for parents who are looking for "the feast" for their children and willing to give their child space to take growth steps, outside of modern educational systems of assessment and achievement.
5. If you're looking for traditional math, science, or writing classes.
  • We do not cluster students into traditional lecture-based math, science, or writing classes by age or stage.
What we are ...
  • We carve out time every day for individualized math, science, and English language arts learning support.
  • Students are narrating (oral and written) daily and developing into winsome and competent writers by the time of graduation (we play a writing "long game"). Please read Know and Tell: The Art of Narration for our approach to writing education.
  • We provide multiple math and science tutors who are available to help with questions, alongside additional video lessons, manipulatives, and resources.
  • We allow students to study math and science at their own pace and move as quickly or as slowly as needed, under the oversight of their parents, and guidance of B&V tutors.
  • We strongly encourage parental guidance on math and science pacing, progress, and grading.
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 informed by a historical-grammatical interpretation of unchanging biblical truth as expressed in the Word of God (Genesis to Revelation).

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

STUDENTS FLOURISHING THROUGH ...
A REFRESHING ATMOSPHERE
GOOD HABITS OF THOUGHT & LIFE
A GENEROUS FEAST OF LIVING BOOKS, LIVING IDEAS, AND LIVING THINGS