How it works
You're Still the Teacher. You Don't Have to Teach Every Skill Alone.
Homeschooling can be a wonderful way to learn together as a family, but some seasons and some subjects require a little extra support. Still Waters Learning partners with families by providing consistent, small-group instruction in foundational reading and math while families remain at the center of their child's homeschool education.
A child may need stronger foundational skills, or a family may simply need someone to share part of the instructional load for a season. Extra support can make homeschooling more sustainable and enjoyable for the whole family.
ENROLLING IN READING & MATH
Finding the Right Place to Begin
Families interested in the school-year Reading or Math programs begin with a simple inquiry so we can determine the best instructional fit.
Submit an Inquiry
Families begin by completing the Still Waters Learning inquiry form and sharing a little about their child and the kind of academic support they are looking for.
Schedule a Parent Call
After reviewing the inquiry, I will schedule a call with the parent to learn more about the child's learning history, current needs, homeschool experience, and the family's goals.
Assess & Determine Placement
Students complete an initial assessment to help determine the appropriate instructional group. Reading placement uses IMSE literacy assessments. Math placement considers assessment results, previously completed math levels, current skills, and parent input. Placement is based on instructional needs rather than age or grade level alone.
Complete Enrollment
Once an appropriate group placement and available space have been confirmed, families complete the enrollment agreement, submit the required enrollment fee, and receive information about preparing for the school year.
If an appropriate group is not currently available, families may join the waitlist for the next suitable opening. When scheduling allows, private tutoring may also be an option. Jenny may also recommend other local resources when Still Waters Learning is not the best fit.
The weekly rhythm
Consistent Instruction. Time to Practice at Home.
Reading and Math groups meet in person on Mondays and Wednesdays in my comfortable home-learning space in Eureka, California. Instruction takes place around the dining room table and in my small home office/classroom, creating a relaxed environment for focused, small-group learning.
Each subject meets for one hour, twice each week. Students may enroll in Reading, Math, or both.
Learning continues at home between sessions. Parents support or supervise assigned practice so students can strengthen the skills introduced during our time together. Reading students are also encouraged to attend the optional virtual Reading Practice sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays for additional review and reinforcement.
A 15-minute transition break is scheduled between each group.
These Tuesday and Thursday sessions reinforce skills introduced during in-person Reading instruction and provide additional opportunities for guided practice.
Reading Groups Based on Skills, Not Simply Grade Level
Reading placement is based on each student's current instructional skills and assessment results.
Beginning Readers
Students building beginning reading skills such as letter recognition, letter-sound knowledge, and early phonemic awareness.
Emerging Readers
Students developing blending, decoding, spelling, and early reading fluency.
Continuing Readers
Students continuing to strengthen decoding, spelling, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and increasingly complex word study.
Students are placed according to current skills and instructional needs.
Math Groups Based on Instructional Needs
Math placement considers grade level, previous coursework, assessment information, current skills, and parent input.
Primary Math
Generally designed for students working within Kindergarten and first-grade mathematics.
Elementary Math
Generally designed for students working at second-grade level and above, with final groupings based on enrollment and instructional needs. Additional math groups may be added based on enrollment and instructional needs.
Curriculum may vary by instructional group. Curriculum decisions take into account student needs, program goals, and the preferences of enrolled homeschool families. Families are responsible for purchasing required student curriculum and materials.
More time to practice
Optional Virtual Reading Practice
Students enrolled in the Reading program may participate in two additional 30-minute virtual reading practice sessions each week at no additional cost.
These Tuesday and Thursday sessions reinforce skills introduced during in-person Reading instruction and provide additional opportunities for guided practice.
Sessions take place in Still Waters Learning's interactive online classroom using KoalaGo. Students will need a reliable internet-connected device. For the best learning experience, I recommend a screen size of at least 11 inches.
Virtual Reading Practice provides extra practice and reinforcement between in-person Reading sessions. It is available only to students enrolled in the Reading program.
We each have a role
Instruction Here. Practice at Home. Progress Together.
Still Waters Learning provides consistent, focused instruction while parents remain an important part of their child's learning at home.
Still Waters Learning uses TutorBird to communicate schedules, assignments, invoices, and other program information.
Quarterly Parent Partnership meetings provide time to review progress, discuss concerns, and make plans together for the child's learning. Assessment results and other progress updates are also shared with families throughout the year.
Still Waters Learning is an independent tutoring and instructional service, not a school. Services are available to students enrolled in homeschool, public school, or private school programs. Still Waters Learning does not provide school enrollment or replace a student's primary educational program. Families remain responsible for meeting the requirements of their child's school or homeschool program.
Instruction Adjusts as Children Grow
Assessment isn't only for initial placement. Students are assessed at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year to measure growth and help me plan what to teach next.
I also pay attention to what I see during instruction, including student work, developing skills, areas of difficulty, and the kinds of support that help each child succeed.
As students grow, I can adjust instruction within the group. If a child's needs change significantly, a different group placement may be recommended when appropriate.
Growth won't look exactly the same for every child, and that's okay. Assessment helps me recognize progress while identifying the skills that still need time and practice.
Families stay informed through assessment results, TutorBird updates, informal conversations, and quarterly Parent Partnership meetings.
Good to Know
A Few Practical Details
Drop-Off, Pickup & Parent Communication
Reading and Math sessions are drop-off programs. Parents supervise their children before the scheduled session and return promptly for pickup when the session ends.
Students enrolled in back-to-back Reading and Math sessions may remain during the scheduled 15-minute transition break between groups.
Parents may occasionally assist as volunteer aides when arranged in advance based on instructional needs.
Brief questions are always welcome at pickup when time allows. Because transition breaks are also used to prepare for the next group, longer conversations can be scheduled by requesting a phone check-in.
When Your Child Needs to Miss a Session
Small-group instruction continues when a student is absent, so missed group sessions cannot be made up individually.
Parents or homeschool teachers are responsible for helping students complete missed learning at home.
When an absence is known in advance, families may request take-home lesson materials. Please provide at least one week's notice so I have time to prepare them. Take-home lesson materials cannot be guaranteed for unexpected or short-notice absences.
Consistency Makes a Difference
The ongoing Reading and Math programs follow a September-through-June school-year calendar with traditional holiday breaks.
Enrollment in Reading and/or Math is a school-year commitment. Consistent enrollment gives students time to build skills, develop relationships within a stable small-group community, and benefit from instruction that builds throughout the year.
Minor schedule adjustments may occasionally be made based on enrollment and the needs of participating families. Families will be notified of any changes.
Program options
Choose the Support Your Family Needs
Reading Program
$2,200 for the school year
- Two one-hour in-person Reading sessions each week, Monday and Wednesday
- Optional Tuesday and Thursday Virtual Reading Practice included at no additional cost
Math Program
$2,200 for the school year
- Two one-hour in-person Math sessions each week, Monday and Wednesday
Reading + Math
$3,600 for the school year
- Two Reading and two Math sessions each week, Monday and Wednesday
- Four hours of in-person instruction each week
- Optional Tuesday and Thursday Virtual Reading Practice included at no additional cost
Tuition does not include the enrollment fee, required curriculum, or individual student supplies.
Enrollment & Payment
Reading and Math programs require a school-year enrollment commitment. A non-refundable enrollment fee of $200 per student is due at enrollment. The enrollment fee for each additional student from the same household is $100.
The enrollment fee is separate from tuition and helps cover the administrative and instructional costs associated with enrollment, assessment, and preparing for each student's program.
Families may pay tuition in full or choose a monthly payment plan. Monthly tuition payments are due by the first of each month.
Families are responsible for purchasing required curriculum and individual student supplies.
Ready to learn more?
Start with a Simple Inquiry
You don't have to have everything figured out before reaching out. Tell me a little about your child, what is going well, and where learning has become challenging. From there, we can talk about your child's needs and determine whether Still Waters Learning is a good fit for your family.