Classes

Various organizations and companies offer classes that cater specifically to the homeschool family. From gymnastics to crafts to nature studies, more and more of these classes are becoming available to stimulate your learning either on a weekly or one time basis. Find a class that suits you, invite a friend to join in your journey, and keep learning! -

Select a Category

- College based programs

- 4-H

- Sports

- Fine Arts (from band to sculpting)

- Classical Conversations

- Other (Speech, writing, etc.)

COLLEGE BASED PROGRAMS

College of DuPage Continuing Education
425 Fawell Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Phone: (630)942-2412
Email: Kathy Doyle doylek@cod.edu
Website: www.cod.edu/youth/homeschool/index.htm

Students may contact Kathy directly for more information. The following are the classes currently scheduled for Fall 2009 at our Main Campus in Glen Ellyn. We may, however, add more to the program.

Lego Robotics    (gr 3 – 6)      Thurs  9/24 -10/22 2 – 3:30 p.m.    $94
Exceptional Essays (gr 6-12)     Mon  9/21 – 11/9 2 – 3:15 p.m.    $124
Reading Comprehension (gr 3- 6)    Mon  9/21- 11/9 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.   $124
Grammar Review    (gr 6-12)    Wed  9/23- 11/11 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.    $124
Algebra IA    (gr 9 -12)    Mon & Wed   9/14 – 11/18 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.    $244
Algebra IIA    (gr 9 – 12)    Mon & Wed    9/14 – 11/18 2 – 3:15 p.m.    $244
Geometry A    (gr 9 – 12)    Mon & Wed   9/21 – 11/25 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.    $244
Biology Lab    (gr 9 – 12)    Tues  9/22- 12/1 2 – 3:50 p.m.    $209
Chemystry    (gr 3- 6)    Mon   9/21- 11/9 2 – 3:50 p.m.    $124
Physical Sci Lab   (gr 6 -8)    Mon  9/21 – 11/9 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.    $134

McHenry County College – Crystal Lake, IL
Phone: (815) 479-7559
E-mail: mfrostma@mchenry.edu
Website: http://www.mchenry.edu/KidsandCollege/index.asp

Enrichment classes offered in the summer and various classes offered to homeschoolers throughout the school year.

4-H  -  Head, Heart, Hands and Health

Illinois 4-H
General website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/

4-H is a voluntary, informal education program for young people ages 8-18. 4-H Cloverbuds is a program for younger children who are 5-7 years old. 4-H is for all young people, regardless of where they live, what their backgrounds are, or what interests them. Today in Illinois most 4-H members are from urban areas and they participate in projects to learn many different life skills. They also offer various enrichment programs designed for classroom use.

Boone County 4-H
Belvidere, IL
Phone: 815-544-3710
Email: akrass@illinois.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/boone/4hyouth.html

Cook County 4-H
Matteson, IL
Phone: 708-481-0111
Email: cook_hdq@extension.uiuc.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/4hyouth.html

DeKalb County 4-H
Sycamore, IL
Phone: 815-758-8194
Email: nheisner@illinois.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/dekalb/4hyouth.html

DuPage County 4-H
Naperville, IL
Phone: 630-955-1123 x17
Email: cbirns@illinois.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/dupage/4hyouth.html

Kane County 4-H
St. Charles, IL
Phone: 630-584-6166
Email: Ruth Thomspon rathomps@illinois.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/kane/4hyouth.html

Kendall County 4-H
Yorkville, IL
Phone: 630-553-5823
Email: Kim Eisnaugle keisnaug@illinois.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/kendall/4hyouth.html

Lake County 4-H
Grayslake, IL
Phone: 847-223-8627
Email: Vickie Brown viceez@illinois.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/lake/4hyouth.html

McHenry County 4-H
Woodstock, IL
Phone: 815-338-3737 x11
Email: Katie Wagner Roberts kwagner@illinois.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mchenry/4hyouth.html

Will County 4-H
Joliet, IL 60433
Phone: 815-727-9296
Email: will_co@extension.uiuc.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/will/4hyouth.html

Winnebago County 4-H
Rockford, IL 61102
Phone: 815-986-4357
Email: Stacy Cwiklo cwiklo@illinois.edu
Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/winnebago/4hyouth.html

SPORTS

Crestwood Cavalry
5457 W. 137th Place, Crestwood, IL 60445
Phone: (708) 388-9381
Email: crestwoodcavalry@sbcglobal.net
Website: http://www.crestwoodcavalry.com

Crestwood Cavalry is a homeschool basketball organization. We currently have boys’ primary, junior high, junior varsity, and varsity.

Crusaders Sports
Big Rock, IL
Phone: 630-556-3202
Email: crossroadscyc@crossroadscyc.com
Website: Crossroads Youth Center

Crusaders, organized by the Crossroads Youth Center, offers various sports (soccer, basketball, etc.) for boys and girls at a variety of ages and levels. They also offer a weekly PE class during the school year. Reasonable rates, and a variety of sports offered geared specifically for homeschoolers.

FINE ARTS (from band to sculpting)

Christian Youth Theater
Various locations: DuPage, Kane, Cook, Aurora, McHenry, Lake, Rockford
Email/contact info: See this contact page for various contacts
Website: http://www.cytchicago.org/main.aspx

CYT is an after-school theater arts education program for kids ages 6-18, offering classes in the McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage and Northwest Cook County areas. Three sessions are conducted each year, beginning in the fall. Week-long summer camps are offered in all regions as well. CYT offers students an opportunity to develop their talents, interact with friends and learn to be a positive member of their community.

Toward the end of each session, a fully-staged musical production is presented for a run of up to two weekends. Students ages 8-18 currently enrolled in the session have the opportunity to audition for the show.

ST. AMBROSE HOME SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS CLUB
Homer Glen, IL
Email: ryan-margaret@att.net

Registration is open to all children that would like the opportunity to develop their artistic talents. The children get an opportunity to express themselves in an environment of creativity. The children learn to perform as a team member of a theater/dance troupe. An essential element in reaching their full potential as a troupe team member is by exercising the Catholic virtues. Classes run September through June. The final performance of the year is held the first weekend in June.

West Suburban Home School Band
Wayne, IL (DuPage County)
Email: Karen Borow director@wshsb.com
Website: http://www.wshsb.com

Students range in age from 9 to 19 playing a variety of instruments not including strings. Spanning four levels from beginners through high school symphony. There is also a marching band that performs during the summer. Practice is Thursday evenings.

Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
Elgin, IL
Phone: (847) 841-7700
Email: office@eyso.org
Website: http://www.eyso.org

Includes four different orchestra levels and a brass choir. Competitions, tours, and instruction available.

Masterpiece Art Instruction with Karine Bauch
North Aurora, IL
Email: karine@teachartathome.com
Website: http://www.teachartathome.com/Classes.html

Karine attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where she received her AAS in Illustration. She teaches local art classes to students from ages 5 through adult and conducts art workshops at local libraries for all ages.

She is also a freelance illustrator and the creator of all the Masterpiece Art Instruction CDs and free projects.

Kaleidoscope School of Art
Barrington, IL
Phone: (847) 381-4840
Website: http://www.kaleidoscopeschoolofart.com/

Celebrating Art Instruction, since 1986. Art Instruction for ages 4 through Adult including:Drawing • Painting • Clay Sculpture • Pastel Cartooning • Mixed Media • Ceramic Tile • Pottery — And More

Christine Thorton’s Art Studio
Mount Prospect, IL
Phone: (847) 797-8382
Website: http://www.christinethorton.com

Christine Thornton is a working artist and certified art teacher with a BFA in art education from the University of Illinois. On her website you can sign up for email notification of upcoming class offerings. Christine offers high quality, affordable art lessons for ages 6-14 that feature small class sizes, variety of media explored, mastery of basic art skills, creative decision making, in a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Guge Institute of Wildlife Art
Gilberts, IL
Phone: (847) 428-4017
Email: josh@gugeinstitute.com
Website: http://www.gugeinstitute.com

Very talented sculptor that offers in studio classes including one day projects, drop in carving times, and on going art instruction courses.

Chaos Glass Studio – Evanston, IL
(847) 328-0315

Chaos Glass Studio is a teaching facility, the only women run/owned studio in Chicago-land. They are a production glass blowing studio offering: hand blown glass sculpture and vessels, table-ware, light fixtures. They offer scheduled classes as well as private instruction and shop rentals.

GIFT
(Godly Influenced Fine Arts Training)
Elgin, IL
Email: director@gifthomeschool.org or giftfinearts@gmail.com
Website: http://www.gifthomeschool.org/

G.I.F.T. is a non-profit enrichment program run by volunteers that offers fine arts classes to homeschoolers of all ages (pre-school – adult). Classes are taught by paid, professional, Christian teachers.

The Learning Vine
Naperville, IL
Email: Karine Bauch learningvine@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.thelearningvine.org

The Learning Vine is a Christian supplemental homeschool program that meets on Mondays and Fridays at Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. They offer both academic and enrichment classes for ages 4-18 covering a broad array of subjects.

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS

Illinois State Manager: Kim Cromer kcromer@classicalconversations.com

Classical Conversations
is a nationwide network of classical, Christian communities providing academic programs, events, and services to local home school communities, parents, and educators.

Their supplemental academic programs meet once a week and provide a committed Christian community of structure and support, along with great fellowship for the students and parents. Each of their programs utilizes the classical tools of learning and emphasizes life-long learning skills.

Classical Conversations
Bolingbrook, IL
Email: Lillian Docks paradot@sbcglobal.net

Offering Foundations and Essentials level classes on Mondays in Living Water Community Church.

Classical Conversations
DeKalb, IL
Email: Lauren ccjourdan@gmail.com or Robin rnrthree@mchsi.com

Meets on Mondays at Evangelical Free Church with courses available for the following levels: Foundations, Essentials, Challenge A and B, Challenge I and II.

Classical Conversations
Hoffman Estates
Yet to be determined. If interested, contact state manager: Kim Cromer kcromer@classicalconversations.com

Classical Conversations
Oswego, IL
Email: Leslie lcoleman0229@sbcglobal.net

Classes on Friday for the Foundations, Essentials, and Challenge A/1 levels at Harvest Bible Church.

Classical Conversations
Rockford, IL (north)
Email: Kirsten Kirekberg@msn.com

Offering the Foundations and Essentials levels on Fridays at the Central Christian Church.

Classical Conversations
Rockford, IL (South)
Email: Margaret Margaret.metras@gmail.com

Meets on Fridays at Morningstar Baptist with classes at three levels: Foundations, Essentials, and Challenge A

Classical Conversations
Sugar Grove, IL
Email: Fanesta fanesta@sbcglobal.net

Offering classes for Foundations, Essentials, and Challenge A at the Village Bible Church. Meets on Tuesdays

Classical Conversations
Wheaton, IL
Email: Sheryl sheryloleniczak@comcast.net

Offering classes in Foundations, Essentials and Challenge A on Mondays at Faith Evangelical Covenant.

OTHER (SPEECH, WRITING, ETC.)

EverReady Speech and Debate Club
Barrington, IL
Email: Elaine Dimoulis at Ellenakki@aol.com
“…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you….”
1 Peter 3:15

The EverReady Speech and Debate club offers a fun environment for home educated students to learn and exercise analytical and oratorical skills in order to address life issues from a Biblical worldview for the glory of God.

Where: The Chapel (180 North Hawthorne Road in Barrington)

When: Tuesdays (Beginning September 15th)
1:30-2:45 Speech
2:45-3:00 Devotions and Announcements
3:00-4:30 Debate
4:30-5:00 Extemporaneous Speech Preparation

Who: Team Policy Debate for students 12-18
Speech Club for students 12-18
Junior Speech club for students 8-11

Cost: Speech only: $35 per semester
Debate only: $35 per semester
Speech and Debate: $60 per semester

The skills learned in club are to be demonstrated at various tournaments offered through the NCFCA (National Christian Forensic and Communicators Association) for student ages 12-18.