Pathways Hybrid-learning School in northern Lancaster County will launch a new program for the 2023-24 school year. The homeschool- or co-op-style, half-day program is intended to support parents as teachers and students in kindergarten through grade two (ages 5 to 8) as engaged learners. It is open to any family whether or not the family wishes to ultimately enroll its students with Pathways for grade three and above.

The program will begin on Monday, Aug. 28, with a parent and student orientation and will continue into May 2024 on Mondays from noon to 2:15 p.m. It will follow the general Pathways School academic calendar. The location will vary depending on the class needs of the day. It will be held at either the Senior High Campus at the Brubaker Homestead or at the St. John's Center Lower-Level Campus, both near Terre Hill.

Early primary children will have opportunities to learn alongside other children. The students will be gently introduced to group learning through activities in science, art, music, literature, and social studies that are led by a team of Pathways educators.

While children participate in these activities, parents will explore and learn instructional strategies, content, and processes. Emphasis will be placed on working with their children in the initial home setting. These parental sessions will be led by the professional Pathways educators. Parents will also gain experience working together with their children and applying approaches learned, all under the guidance of the Pathways staff. The program is designed to ease parents' apprehension about becoming a teacher.

Enrollment is now open for parents and early primary students in the school's service area of Lancaster and Berks counties. For more information and enrollment forms, visit http://www.learningatpathways.org.