Do you homeschool your children? There are many varied reasons that families choose to homeschool their children over sending them to traditional school. If you previously sent your child(ren) to a traditional school, but the events of 2020 made you reconsider, here is a guide to homeschooling resources her in Waukesha County.
Please welcome guest writer and homeschool mom, Leah U. as she shares her experiences with us.
“I moved to Lake Country twelve years ago. Neither my husband or I are originally from the area, but we love living here. It‘s a wonderful place to raise and home educate our five children. We enjoy the many beautiful parks, trails, and beaches. We frequently visit museums, libraries and festivals. These “extras” make a great supplement to any education.
~Leah U. of Oconomowoc
Homeschooling Resources in Waukesha County
**This guide is by no means a complete list of Homeschool Resources in the Lake Country Area. All information is based on pre–covid schedules. Please check individual businesses for up to date information.** The following text and resources are shared by Leah. **
Enrichment Classes
YMCA Pabst Farms offers Art, Phy. Ed. and swimming lessons for homeschooled students. Classes take place during regular school hours.
“Bright Rising Arts and Education offers high quality educational classes and experiences in a joyful, creative, group setting for home educators in the greater Milwaukee area and beyond. We design academic and theater arts courses that are undergirded in a Christian worldview.”
https://brightrising.info/2020-2021–school –vear–classes/
“Beyond the Books is a Christian organization that provides supplemental classes to homeschool students. Classes are offered at Elmbrook Church during the school year. Classes are provided for Kindergarten through 8th grade, and the classes offered vary by grade but include art, gym and creative writing.”
https://www.homeschool-life.com/
Music education for homeschool children. Music Academy of Greater Milwaukee has 5 locations in SE and SC WI offering summer private lessons and fall/spring group music classes piano, various Orchestras and Band. Ages 4–18.
“The purpose of Classical Conversations® is to lead the home–centered education movement by teaching parents and students the classical tools of learning so that they can discover God’s created order and beauty, and as a result– enable others to do the same.” Classical Conversations groups typically meet once a week for either a half or full day depending on the age of the child. A parent attends with the child. Use the search feature to find the various meeting places within Lake Country.
https://www.classicalconversations.com/community-search
“The Kettle Moraine/Milwaukee CIRCLE group consists of families in the Kettle Moraine and greater Milwaukee areas of Wisconsin.” There is no fee to participate in Circle. Instead each family that would like to participate plans one activity, class, organized field trip etc (please see the site for additional details!) The family then has the option to attend any of the other activities or classes organized by other participants. Some activities may have a fee.
https://circlehomeschool.wordpress.com /find–a–circle–group/circle–kettle–moraine/
Discovery World in Milwaukee has Homeschool Days with special lab activities. Check their calendar for up to date information.
https://www.discoveryworld.org/visit /getting–here/
The Wisconsin Historical Society Pass allows admission into twelve different sites within the state. Due to our location and the age of our children we use it to visit Old World Wisconsin in Eagle and Circus World in Baraboo. OWW offers different hands on experiences depending on the time of year. Circus World has a new performance schedule each year. Their live performances only happen during the summer, so be sure to check their calendar.
https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records /Article/CS2913
SkyZone has “Homeschool Hop” on many Friday afternoons during the school year. They offer special pricing. Make sure to double check before you go because if local schools have the day off they don’t hold Homeschool Hop.
Homeschool Support at Libraries
Libraries We LOVE Lake Country Libraries. We visit them regularly to stock up on books, audio books, DVD‘s and sometimes even board games. Recently many started offering the option to check out a day pass to local attractions like the Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee Art Museum, Betty Brinn Children‘s Museum and Milwaukee‘s Mitchell Park Domes. {Pre-covid times}
There are endless opportunities for story times, Lego Clubs and other activities. My list is in no way a comprehensive list of activities offered by local libraries it is just some of our personal favorites.
Sussex Library – the Pauline Hass library is one of our favorites. The children‘s area is bright and spacious with multiple play stations. They rotate the toys and activities for fresh play experiences. In addition they have a Kids Lab available for children in third grade and up. I love that my oldest child can explore age appropriate games and building sets, while still being nearby the younger children’s play area. As an added bonus there is a large, beautiful playground across the parking lot.
Mukwonago Community Library – in the past the Mukwonago library has had activities organized specifically for homeschool families. Check their events calendar for up to date information.
Pewaukee Library – During the school year they hold “Messy Monday” art activities on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Activities are geared at the six and under crowd.
Waukesha Library – They hold monthly homeschool activities on the first Monday of the month from 11am -1pm. The activities vary from month to month and there is a separate room and activity for teens.
Oconomowoc Library – does not currently have organized activities specifically for homeschool families. However, if a group would like to plan an activity and use the library‘s meeting room, library staff is willing to work with a group.
Facebook Groups for Homeschool Support
There are so many! I have found them to be a useful tool for connecting with other families, finding local resources, and asking for clarification or advice on following Wisconsin homeschool laws. I recommend the groups “Wisconsin Homeschool” and “Wisconsin Homeschool Support” as great starting spots.
Additional Facebook Groups suggested by Lake Country Family Fun readers include:
Love of Learning – Homeschool Community Support
Lastly, the WPA is an invaluable resource for every Wisconsin Homeschool Family as well as the Wisconsin Parents Association.
Feel free to reach out through one of the above Facebook groups options with any homeschool questions you may have if this is a journey your family is starting to contemplate.
