FIELD TRIPS
HISTORY OF ALETHEIA
Every year, the parents plan field trip events for the students to enjoy. The students are given an opportunity to visit a nearby farm, a chocolate factory, the beach, a nearby mission, and more. It's an excellent way to give them hands-on learning in a way that is fun for the students.
The parents who attend Aletheia Co-Op typically attend because they want the help and support of like-minded adults pouring their God-given gifts and talents into each of the children at Aletheia. If you opted to home school your child, chances are you chose to do so because you believe that your child should benefit from the individualized attention needed to further their education avoiding all the side problems that could potentially arise by attending a public school.
As Christians who believe that the Bible is God’s Word, we agree that we have all been given special gifts to complete any task God sets before us. We also believe that the Bible encourages and even instructs followers of Christ to be in and commit to community. Those called by God to homeschool their children will be given the tools they need to give their child(ren) an excellent education. Aletheia Christian Co-op is simply a gathering place, a tool if you will, for homeschooling parents to get a little help from one another, to teach a single class (rather than having to teach every subject), and to encourage one another in their efforts to obey God’s calling to homeschool their child(ren).
CONNECTION
Aletheia meets every Monday and Wednesday during a school year.
All children are expected to arrive at school by 8:30 in the morning. The students start the day by attending an all school chapel where they pledge their allegiance to the American flag, the Christian flag, and to the Bible. The children also sing a song, listen to a small message that encourages them to live for Christ, and then are dismissed to their 1st period class.
Each year is a little different from the year before. We strive to offer 4 classes, a recess break, and a lunch break on the days we meet. Ideally, we like to be large enough to have classes available for Kindergarten to 6th grade age students yet small enough so that each student gets the personal attention needed for an optimal education. How we schedule each class and grade all depends on the number of students and number of parents attending that year.
Debbie Jackson, The founder and
Senior Board Member
started Aletheia 17
years ago. Debbie’s
children all participated
in Aletheia. Her daughter Nicole graduated from San Jose State University in 2011 with a degree in Radio, Television and Film and is currently working in Film in the LA area. Her son Matt, a junior, is playing baseball at the University of Washington. Her youngest, Josh, is currently a freshman in high school.
Here's a little something Debbie had to say about her journey with homeschooling and her reasons for starting this successful homeschool cooperative:
My journey began in 1997 as I relocated to the Bay area. Like most beginners, I was anxious to learn all the in’s and out’s of mastering this challenge. We were going to complete every book, in every subject because surely that would give my children the perfect education, right? Bah!! I soon realized that finishing the books and getting through the material was not the way I wanted to effectively educate my children. I had heard of a co-op in San Jose that met once a week and covered the subjects of History and Science. So my children and I joined the following school year. It was such a wonderful experience for my children as well as myself. I began to realize that there were many benefits to having another parent come along side me to educate my children. These mothers possessed talents and gifts that I did not (dissecting hearts and brains? Ewwww! ) and in turn I brought my talents to the table. After that first year, I realized there were many homeschooling families in my area that could benefit from a co-op. I was surrounded by homeschooling families that were looking for support in this endeavor, so I decided to start a co-op group in my own hometown. The result was Educating Through Classics (ETC)Christian Co-op, the name of our first group, originally teaching History and Science one day a week. Over the years we developed into the co-op it is today, Aletheia, teaching four subjects twice a week. The blessings of this group have been amazing. So many families have come through Aletheia in the last 16 years. Many remaining for as long as eight years! Repeatedly I have had the privilege of hearing how blessed these families have been to be a part of this group. The love and support from like-minded families has made this wonderful homeschooling journey that much better. I believe the Lord has had His hand on this group from the beginning. Encouraging us along when we needed the nudge, and blessing us immensely all sixteen years. God is good! Very, very good! I encourage you to check it out.
CURRICULUM
We are a Christian co-op, so all classes at Aletheia are taught in a Christian-based, Bible believing manner. Curriculum at Aletheia is primarily selected by the instructor of each subject taught. It is then presented to the parents of the current students for review and approval. This process is typically completed by early August each year. All families at the co-op are financially responsible for any text books, class materials, and necessary supplies throughout the school year. In addition to curriculum selection, quarterly schedules of daily assignments, tests, and concepts taught are provided by the instructors and handed out to each student for each course. Quarterly grades are calculated on a fixed schedule which is determined at the beginning of the year. It is our goal to maintain a structured schedule in all areas of the curriculum and education at Aletheia.
HISTORY:
History is taught in a 5 year rotational cycle:
1. Ancient (Genesis-fall of Roman Empire) to 500AD
2. Renaissance/Medieval (through English civil war) 500-1600's
3. Explorers and Foundations of America: early explorers through the US Constitution 1600"s-17874.
4. Western Expansion/Lewis & Clark, Industrial Rev., Civil War 1787-19005.
5. Modern History 20th century 1900- today
Every May, we celebrate the end of the school year with a magnificent spring banquet to culminate the year. It is a memorable evening for the families to see what the children have learned over the course of the school year and share their individual talents. We dress in the time period of history we have studied for the year and serve a full dinner themed around the time period as well. Throughout the evening, the children put on class performances and are given the opportunity to perform as individuals, and guests get to explore the classrooms which are filled with projects to show off a year’s worth of accomplishments. It is a memorable and impressive time we all look forward to from the beginning the school year.
SPRING BANQUET
