Las Virgenes Community Learning Center – A Vision Realized

http://www.heartineducation.com/lvclc/ • Visit our web site to see Parent information meeting dates
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by Michael Leppert

An exciting educational alternative is developing and soon will be opening in Calabasas, California, under the auspices of the Las Virgenes Unified School District. The Las Virgenes Community Learning Center (LVCLC) is the vision and brainchild of Brenda & Itanar Harari. Both Hararis possess PhD’s in Education, who have homeschooled their three sons for a little over a year and have worked with the public school system in organizational development for 20 years. They began homeschooling as a reaction to what was going on in the school they were attending.

The Hararis’ knowledge of regular public school, homeschooling and alternative viewpoints re education in general, gave birth to their initial vision and consequently led them on a steady path to the Community Learning Center. Their vision was to create a community that allows homeschoolers to obtain the best of both worlds – school and homeschool – without sacrificing any of the significant positive aspects. They found a kindred visionary point of view in the Las Virgenes School District officials.

LVCLC is perfect for the homeschool family that seeks teacher oversight but without interference. The staff of LVCLC will include credentialed teachers who understand homeschooling and its unique perspective on learning. They understand the fine line that can exist between academic help and hindrance.

The LVCLC is a hybrid approach, offering two components under one roof for grades K-5, in the classroom division (which will expand to K-8 in the future) and K-8 for the homeschooling division. One component is the standard classroom environment for those who wish it, and the other is a homeschooling component for homeschoolers. The homeschooling component will include a staff of 3 teachers who will provide oversight as much or as little as the parents wish. Parents and student will meet weekly or at least once a month, to discuss the student’s progress, needs for the future, etc., and provide input to the parents as to how to accomplish the academic goals.

Another plus in the LVCLC program is that it offers a curriculum library where parents can take out textbooks they wish to use – thereby allowing for customized curriculum. Of course, complete curriculum materials will be provided, per state law, but with LV’s flexible approach the parents are not required to use the provided curriculum. The Learning Center will also provide a number of online curriculum choices as well.

Because it is actually a district school in the Las Virgenes School District, with an onsite school, the Community Learning Center will offer many of the amenities that public schools offer – and beyond -- such as assemblies, field trips, science fairs, talent shows, a Playground where the homeschooling students can meet each day for an hour or so to socialize in a safe environment, a lunchroom, resource library, twice-a-week tutoring services, and even yoga classes! The onsite classes are taught by both credentialed teachers and/or specialists, such as the yoga instructor. In each trimester (10-week period) two elective courses per term are available to the Learning Center students, such as robotics, yoga and music. This amounts to a tremendous opportunity for enriched learning experiences that are still governed by the parents with teacher guidance.

Also, there is no geographic restriction on attending the LVCLC. They have students enrolled from Simi Valley to Santa Monica, currently. The only requirement is that a student who wishes to attend from outside of the Las Virgenes District must obtain an Interdistrict School Transfer from the school district in which he resides. This applies to students who have never attended a public school, as well as true transfers. Also, families must re-apply for reinstatement to the Las Virgenes District each year. But those are the only requirements.

LVCLC’s philosophy shares much with the Montessori approach to educating children. They believe in a non-violent communication with students, a democratic classroom atmosphere, promoting creative and critical thinking, with opportunities for the child and parents to have a voice and choice in thinking in the classroom.

If you live anywhere in Southern California, and wish to offer your child the benefits of the hybrid program offered by LVCLC, please visit their website and take the time to really delve into the excellent educational and social opportunities they offer. Their campus will be adjacent to A.E. Wright Middle School in Las Virgenes (aka Malibu) Canyon. M.J.L.■

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