TEEN LIFE
Teen Homeschoolers At Harmony
CHOICE Academy Courses
"When am I ever gonna need to know this?" is a question ringing through untold numbers of high schools right now at this very moment.
One of the most beautiful things about homeschooling is the freedom to pursue what interests you. Learning on your own is great for self-pacing, but at the same time it can get a bit mundane. Many of us wish for a chance to mix-it-up a bit with diverse learning environments.
Harmony will offer teens the opportunity to choose topics they want to learn about in a group setting, both academic and enrichment-focused.
The more teen involvement and interest we get for courses, the more we will create. Currently, our Pathfinders & Harmony Choice Academy options continue to students through age 15. Courses for teens typically include optional "bridgework" to help families turn Choice into high school credit for your transcript.
Scroll down to learn how teens can grow their leadership skills alongside the adults at Choice Academy...
Pathfinders Voyagers
13 - 15 year olds
NEW! Pathfinders Voyagers, ages 13-15 (age 12 by invitation/leader discretion) Pathfinders ages up and branches out for 2026 with an newly adapted version of the Pathfinders program designed to meet the needs of our upper middle & high school members. Pathfinders Voyagers will follow a similar routine to the core/traditional Pathfinders program, with students continuing to build confidence, critical thinking & communication skills while deepening peer relationships.
Voyagers will:
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read & discuss more complex news/current events topics from both The Week, Jr. and The Week Magazine, including outside reading/research requirements
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learn & develop leadership skills through study & hands-on practice
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expand their current participation in group project-based learning with further ownership of project outcomes, community outreach, project management, and enhanced project expectations
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enjoy free/social time with similar-aged peers during midday lunch breaks
Voyagers are expected to be able to read and write at- or above-grade-level.
Group size min/max: Min enrollment is 7 children per group. Max per group is 14. We will strive to run as many groups as needed to accommodate interest if we can staff it!
Apprenticeships
Learning to Lead
Harmony offers volunteer opportunities for teens to interested in developing their leadership skills & building their resume for college or future employment.
Teens 13+ can become Apprentices at Harmony while still taking classes and participating as students.
Depending on areas of interest, teens can:
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assist instructors of younger classes
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teach their own courses with an adult mentor
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lead their own special-interest clubs
If desired, teen apprentices can earn credits toward their tuition and fees at Harmony. What's more, teens will develop leadership skills, responsibility, and great resume assets for the future.
Apprenticeships can even translate to credits on high school transcripts when learning materials & hours are properly documented by a parent.
Interested students ages 13+ should contact us to inquire about applying for a Harmony Apprenticeship!
Community Support & Belonging
Teens need to engage with and feel supported by their peers perhaps more than at any time in their young lives. Yet, if you're homeschooling, finding a consistent community, source of positive social opportunities, & source of friendships can feel next to impossible. HCH aims to help.
We are excited to include the teens in shaping a positive social world here at Harmony Center both during and after school hours. And yeah, we mean it when we say "no phones on campus."
Why? It's all about building relationships and learning to connect. (In real time. Not through "likes" on Insta.)
Our goal is to strive to create a culture of respect, gratitude, independence, & kindness where teens' individuality is celebrated. We want our kids and teens to work on figuring out who they are while they're at Harmony--not figure out who they have to "become" just to fit in.
Service projects, hangouts, celebrations, student input & leadership... we see it all.
If you're a family who values tolerance, compassion, and authenticity, then we hope to be your teen's home-away-from-home.
Friday Freedom Privileges ages 12+
Students ages 12+ who remain in good standing in our Friday Freedom program earn additional independence during Choice Academy. These privileges give teens more flexibility to connect with friends, pursue interests, collaborate on projects, and practice the responsibility that comes with increased freedom.
Gap Hour
A Gap Hour is a supervised hour between classes when students are not enrolled in a scheduled class but may remain at Harmony. Students should bring a quiet, independent activity and spend their time in the designated area.
Students may choose a Gap Hour when they are:
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Taking an HCA class at 10:00 and staying for lunch and afternoon clubs (Gap Hour at 11:00)
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Taking an HCA class at 11:00 and staying for lunch and afternoon clubs (Gap Hour at 10:00)
Flex Block (1 pm - 3 pm for ages 12+)
Students ages 12+ are invited to participate in Flex Studio Block from 1:15–3:00 pm as an alternative option to CREW (still welcome at CREW, too!!). Flex Studio Block is a designated time and space where teens can choose how they want to spend their afternoon — whether that means leading or joining a club, working on a solo or joint project, or connecting with friends.
An adult supervisor will be present to provide support and ensure a safe, respectful environment while allowing teens the independence to collaborate, socialize, and take ownership of their time.
Clubs
Students may participate in or lead teen clubs based on their interests.
Teen clubs provide opportunities for students to:
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Connect with peers
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Explore shared interests
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Develop leadership & planning skills
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Plan and create activities together
Interested in starting a club? Contact Betsy to request a form: one.harmony.center@gmail.com
Maker Studio
Not interested in a structured club? Students may use the Pop-Up Maker Studio as a relaxed creative space for building, drawing, painting, designing, creating, free-building with LEGO and connecting with other students, without needing a structured plan.
Flex Chat
During the week, Flex Block teens have a chance to join our adult-monitored online FlexChat space. Here, students can share club ideas, make plans, ask questions, show off projects, and stay connected between meetings. It is simple to use online using just an email address on Google Groups (No separate apps--just email). FlexChat has strict guidelines for safe participation, and parents are able to join to read all messages. FlexChat is intended for FlexBlock-related plans only, not general social media engagement.
Flex Block registers by the Quarter as a part of Harmony Choice Academy. Fee: $50/quarter (with annual membership) covers adult supervision, space rental, and Studio Supplies.
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Maintaining in Good Standing
Freedom comes with responsibility. To continue enjoying Friday Freedom privileges like Gap Hours & Flex Studio Block access, students must:
✓ Be a kind human
✓ Uphold the Harmony Tenets
✓ Remain safely in designated areas
✓ Respect Harmony’s space and property
✓ Participate appropriately in the community
✓ Respect the guidance and leadership of supervising adults
Our goal is to give teens meaningful independence while helping them build the real-world skills that come with it: responsibility, respect, collaboration, and leadership.
Interested in taking a Choice Academy Class or joining Flex Block? Apply for membership: click here.