Eagleridge Enrichment Program at Mesa Public Schools serves homeschooling families across the valley through unique learning opportunities.
Principal Amanda Ball shares that the homeschooling community is diverse and encompasses a variety of approaches to education. Families typically choose Eagleridge for two reasons: They are looking for the social aspect that the program provides and for learning opportunities in subjects they might not have access to in the home school environment.
“Eagleridge has a wonderful sense of community,” Ball says. “Whatever approach a family uses for their homeschooling journey, one thing we all have in common is the desire to be here.”
Students attend Eagleridge part-time, preserving home schedule time for their core learning instruction. Students attend one to three days per week, choosing schedules and classes that match their interests and needs. Students engage in classroom thematic instruction with a teacher similar to a typical school setting. The focus is for students to participate in a supportive, collaborative and hands-on learning environment.
Primary students (K-3) have the same teacher all day. Their specials include music, physical education and library book checkout. Students in fourth grade and above can participate in multi-age classes or attend with only their grade-level peers.
The program offers different courses each year such as creative writing and hands-on equation classes that enhance and build on what their parents have taught them. Favorite classes include band, orchestra, PE, Eagle TV and art.
“As parents and teachers, we can’t be experts in all subjects,” Ball shares. “For example, if a child is interested in guitar and the parent doesn’t have a knowledge base in guitar, we can fill that niche.”
Rhiannon Teaters teaches creative and visual arts at Eagleridge. She is also a homeschooling mom, and all four of her children attend Eagleridge. Teaters shares that one of the things that attracted her to the program is that the staff has a kind and loving grasp of homeschooling students’ needs, which can be a little different than students who attend typical public schools.
Along with ceramics, 3D and social networking art, students are currently painting the town Eagleridge-style with thoughtful bright-colored murals. The goal is to provide students the opportunity to leave a legacy for the community.
“Students have an amazing array of classes taught by highly qualified, certified teachers,” Teaters says. “It is so much beyond what one would expect from an enrichment program. I love every single Monday that I get to be with my students.”
Learn more at eagleridgeenrichment.mpsaz.org/