School House Lane In-Person Program: A Microschool for Middle Schoolers
The In-Person Program at School House Lane (SHL) is a small, secular microschool for students in grades 5–7. Meeting two days per week in Germantown, SHL combines academic rigor with the warmth of a home-based, close-knit learning community.
What Students Learn
This is a complete middle school Language Arts program with interdisciplinary connections across subjects. Students explore the world of words — reading, writing, grammar, and public speaking — while engaging deeply with history, science, and the arts.
- Language Arts & Literature – From foundational grammar skills to creative expression, students build confidence as readers and writers.
- Social Studies & History – A global perspective on history, with the 2025–2026 focus on Early Modern History (Curiosity Chronicles, Volume 2).
- Science – Weekly lessons taught by additional instructors bring hands-on experimentation and inquiry to life.
- Workshops & Enrichment – Cooking, art, hiking, naturalist science, and more — led by experienced teachers and community partners.
Each month, students also participate in a full-day field trip that connects classroom lessons to Philadelphia’s cultural and historic sites.
Program Structure
- Schedule: Two full days per week (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.), either Tue/Thu or Mon/Wed.
- Homework: 2–4 hours per week, primarily in reading, writing, and history. Assignments are individualized as needed. Homework and feedback are managed via Google Classroom.
- Technology: Students bring a laptop or tablet with keyboard for in-class writing.
Assessments & Support
- No traditional grades — instead, students receive ongoing feedback, quizzes, rubrics for essays/projects, and written comments.
- Narrative reports are issued twice per year.
- Portfolios & Evaluations — Families receive a comprehensive SHL portfolio and end-of-year evaluation that meets Pennsylvania homeschool requirements.
- 1:1 Conferences with students (2–3 times per year) and parent-teacher conferences (twice per year).
Tuition & Commitment
- Tuition: $6,600/year (64 program days).
- Payment Schedule:
- $825 deposit (non-refundable).
- 3 invoices in fall ($2,475).
- 4 invoices winter/spring ($3,300).
- What’s Included: All instruction, narrative reports, portfolio support, and evaluations.
- Not Included: Curriculum materials and field trip costs.
Enrollment requires a nonrefundable deposit to hold your child’s spot. After a four-week trial period, families commit for the school year with a good-faith agreement to provide one month’s notice if withdrawing.
Enrollment & Fit
- Group Size: 6 students per group.
- Students should be confident readers and independent writers, and willing to participate in adult-guided academics with positive group behaviors.
- Shadow opportunities may be available for interested families.