"We wish to place before the child open doors to many avenues of instruction and delight, in each one of which he should find quickening thoughts." ~ Charlotte Mason

 Why CHOOSE Branches & Vine Cottage School

1. Students flourish by partaking of "the feast"
  • Students partake of a wide and high quality curriculum of living ideas, living books, and living things
  • Classically-based academic rigor with a life-giving culture that ignites love of learning as a lifestyle
  • Emphasis on a rich liberal arts education (Good and Great Books literature, history, music, art, multiple languages, philosophy & worldview, nature study, math and sciences)
  • Students developing as humble, wise, and resilient whole persons engaging in a beautiful and knowledgeable life of meaningful relationships (God, others, world)

2. Every student treasured and thriving
  • Small teacher-student ratios so every child is known and cared for beyond academic performance or "checking boxes"
  • A flexible and joyful 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 in a rich and diverse community
  • Parents can trust their children are receiving a solid foundation in historic Christian values as reflected through unchanging biblical truth
  • Families form a rich community representative of a variety of faith streams and shared core values with unity on the essentials (Apostles' Creed)

4. Affordable resource fees and rates for private and proven education
  • Weekly fees that are cheaper than childcare rates ... or the cost of a restaurant meal for the average family ($12 a day for fulltime students)
  • Degreed and specialized Charlotte Mason teachers who are highly invested and experienced
  • The benefits of a high quality, private school experience, inspired and influenced by beautiful Charlotte Mason educational principles and methods without the skyrocketing private school tuition costs

​5. Daily wonder & delight in a tranquil learning location
  • We are blessed with a 4.5 acre campus featuring a chicken coop, gardens, guinea pigs, rabbits, aquariums, open green space, and busy bird feeders
  • Easily accessible facility ... just four minutes off I-75 and close to many amenities
  • Intentional outdoor play, outdoor classrooms, and nature study emphasis
  • 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
  • We are not a modernist school model with progressive teaching theories and methods.
  • We do not believe completing a few worksheets each day in designated "subject areas" constitutes a meaningful education.
  • We do not prep students for government standardized tests or common core benchmarks.
  • We do not believe children require more technology training or exposure (than most already have at this age).
  • We are intentionally avoiding an institutional learning environment dominated by sterile classroom spaces, limited time outside, screens and artificial stimuli, progressive educational emphases, relentless testing culture, traditional letter grades, monetized performance, peer rankings, behavioral modification prizes, and pragmatic/utilitarian priorities.
  • (Read Dumbing Us Down, by John Taylor Gatto free pdf version or paperback version for what we intentionally avoid at B&V.)


What we are ...
  • We are a Charlotte Mason Hybrid Model that combines days of dynamic learning in a warm, relational setting.
  • We will always prioritize whole-hearted learning shaped by Philippians 4:8 … in step with the student's own personal needs, progress, and growth. 
  • B&V parents are required to simply notify their school districts regarding homeschooling excusal for the year. 
  • We provide families with a term syllabus to help them partner with us in their children's academic year while at B&V.​


2. If you're looking for the benefits of homeschooling without responsibility or commitment ...
  • We are not a drop-off program where you will seldom see us or hear from us.


What we are ...
  • We operate from a well-defined and applied educational model (Charlotte Mason), and we ask parents to learn and grow with us in that.
  • Parents are expected to be regularly reading with their child(ren) and prioritizing a rich "atmosphere, discipline, and life" in their homes and families.
  • Homeschool Days are expected to be honored.


3. If you're looking for an enrichment homeschool co-op ...
  • We are not a "homeschool co-op" wherein parents divide teaching among themselves based upon subject matters of personal interest and a varied demonstration of eclectic educational philosophies.
  • We are not a co-op wherein you choose which days and times you want to swing in - or if your children feel like it that day.
  • We are not a place where parents or co-op instructors make the primary learning and curriculum decisions for us at B&V or "change the channel" based on individual or group preferences or trends.
  • We are not eclectic and try different curricula and methods. 


What we are ...
  • A classically-based Charlotte Mason "Hybrid Model" where we instruct according to a unified Charlotte Mason approach.
  • Our hybrid allows for in-session days and work from home.
  • We adhere to an orderly scope and framework reflective of both yesteryear and today (mainly AmblesideOnline and Memoria Press materials).


4. If you're looking for child-centered Montessori and/or "wild + free" learning atmosphere ...
  • Charlotte Mason educators seem to span a large spectrum. This causes misunderstandings we would like to avoid.
  • We are not "unschoolers" wherein academics, schedules, and classroom choices are generally child-led.
  • ​We reject Rousseau-inspired conclusions about the nature of a child.
  • Although we are experienced with and apply many wonderful Montessori-style techniques and resources, and we desire for children to have "space" to think and grow in a kind and loving atmosphere, we do not adhere to the same worldview underpinnings.

What we are ...
  • A CM Cottage School that combines well-ordered content and conduct in a life-giving atmosphere .... with learning days shaped by wonder and delight!
  • We honor the whole personhood of a child.
  • A Charlotte Mason education is unapologetically grounded in three-fold knowledge of: Triune God, humanity, and the universe.
  • We are neither child-centered nor teacher-driven. We are "living ideas-centered" ... and that's when we see children most flourishing and joyful.

​5. If you're looking for a "classical" (neo-classical) learning environment ...
What we are ...
  • We believe that Charlotte Mason's classically-based principles and priorities are congruent with a true "classical education" (rather than neo-classical education common in so many classical schools today).​​
  • We believe children are best served ... and serving ... when they are not "shaped," but rather "shepherded" (to the Great Shepherd - the author and designer of truth, goodness, and beauty).
  • We endeavor to spread an abundant feast every day for our students, in keeping with true classical education experience. We want students flourishing and awakening to the pure joys of learning for a lifetime. This includes carving out time for rigorous math and science, working towards well-crafted essays, and tackling the Great Books in vibrant discussion and seminar formats ... 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 weekly "House Competitions," listening to awe-inspiring classical music, arriving home with muddy shoes (sometimes) and full hearts ... reflecting with reverence and delight on the good, the true, the beautiful!
  • We are a good academic option for parents who are looking to spread "the feast" for their children and are willing to see a different way forward outside of modern (including neo-classical) educational systems of worksheets, peer comparisons, and draining academic achievement.
  • Our students wear durable pants, an array of B&V shirts and hoodies ... alongside a recommended supply of Tide laundry detergent to help with the mud and debris that is acquired due to playing, climbing, exploring, observing, building, experimenting, and making memories in the outdoors together!


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.
  • ​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 the 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 deeply respectful of the differences that exist among our students and families and we have no desire to undermine parental authority. We embrace our liturgical differences as rich and wonderful for our learning community and guard this diverse faith landscape as one of our beautiful distinctives.
  • However, parents should be aware (and agreeable with the fact that) we will teach from an explicit, unequivocal, and unapologetic historical Christian worldview informed by unchanging biblical truth as revealed in a historical-grammatical approach to the Word of God (Genesis to Revelation). Students represent many differing faith streams and will hear ideas, convictions, and practices different than their own in our rich discussions. 

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

TIME-TESTED EDUCATIONAL METHODS & PROVEN LONGTERM FRUIT IN STUDENTS' LIVES
​
​MASTERY OF LEARNING WITH ​DEGREED & SPECIALIZED CM EDUCATORS

PARENT RESOURCES, EQUIPPING & SUPPORT
STIRRING A REFRESHING ATMOSPHERE WARMED BY LOVE

SHEPHERDING GOOD HABITS OF
THOUGHT & LIFE

SPREADING A WIDE AND GENEROUS
​FEAST OF LIVING IDEAS