Capitol Hill Learning Group Information

Capitol Hill Learning Group (CHLG) is a teacher led/parent assisted micro-school made up of both a hybrid program for school aged students (K-8th) and a preschool program for children 2.5 to 5 years old. CHLG is faith-based in the Evangelical Christian tradition with an aim to teach and guide students through the lens of a Biblical worldview. While we teach from this perspective, we welcome families from other faiths as well as families who do not consider themselves religious. The definition of micro-schooling (from Wikipedia) is: ". . .the reinvention of the one-room school house, where class size is typically smaller than most schools (15 students or less in a classroom) and there are mixed-age level groupings. Generally, micro schools do not meet all 5 days of the school week, and their schedules look different than a traditional public or private school. Classes tend to be more impactful due to meeting fewer times in the week and these classes are typically hands-on and activity based. Together this approach is viewed as a replacement for the 5-day school week paradigm. . ." Micro-schooling is a new trend in education and one which CHLG first began implementing in 2010 when we capped our class sizes at ten students. We are a small, tight knit learning community where students interact across age levels. Current research in education and cognitive psychology shows that learning is more effective and longer lasting if a person is in a setting that feels safe, calm and connected to other people. CHLG can deliver this kind of environment because of the small size (both of the school as a whole and of the individual classrooms) and because of the comfort level that is a by product of students interacting across age levels. We've found the model to be extremely effective for our students and are excited to extend it into the middle and high school years as we grow with our current student cohort. The Hybrid Academy at CHLG is a unique primary and secondary schooling opportunity that pairs classroom learning with home based education, allowing for a rigorous academic program that can be tailored to the individual child's strengths and needs. Our Hybrid model begins with the foundation of a Christian worldview and combines small classes taught by professional teachers with the support of one on one instruction in the home. Classes meet on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00-1:00, and students work on academic pursuits at home with a parent or other caregiver on Mondays and Wednesdays. Our teachers partner with parents in the education of the child by providing consults on an as needed basis and by regular written communication regarding work that's been completed in class and assignments which are to be completed at home. Our families and students love the shortened school schedule and the opportunity to spend more time at home with family. Additionally, the model works! Our students are excelling with the combination of in class and at home studies. The Preschool at CHLG is licensed by the District of Columbia as a parent/teacher cooperative program with teacher-led classes for children 2.5 through Pre-K4. Class sizes are small (no more than 10 children) and are offered one, two or three mornings per week, depending on the child's age. Our teacher directed classes focus on encouraging social/emotional maturity and spiritual development while exposing students to new academic skill sets in a fun and stress free environment. Our teachers utilize hands on activities to both encourage practice with existing skills and to introduce and solidify new concepts. We meet children where they are in their development and provide a loving classroom community where children feel understood, relaxed and successful. Our preschoolers grow to be confident students who love learning. We are thankful for the opportunity to provide unique educational programs that meet the needs of many families in our community, and specifically want to thank Washington Community Fellowship for entrusting us with their beautiful annex space at 9th and Maryland Avenue.