PETOSKEY – May 10, 2024 – St. Michael High School (SMHS), Northern Michigan’s only Classical Catholic high school, today announced the introduction of a program intended to serve the Christian homeschool community (grades 9-12) of Northern Michigan. The new SMHS Classical Enrichment program will feature:
- a robust selection of SMHS courses (core & elective) offered on a flexible, a la carte basis;
- a 2-day (or 3-day) per week attendance option, as an alternative to the 5-day school week;
- dedicated, flexible faculty able to support participating students from outside the immediate area;
- opportunities for all participating students to engage in the Classical Christian culture of SMHS;
- opportunities for several junior/senior level courses to earn college credit (via Franciscan University).
St. Michael embraces the integrated Classical model of education, with all subjects pointing to our Creator, unapologetically pursuing Truth, Goodness, and Beauty – bypassing the misguided trends of modern education.
Leadership & Implementation
Incoming Headmaster Mr. Kevin Weed has actively worked with homeschool families for nearly two decades – as a parent, teacher, and administrator. He has vast experience in the design and implementation of educational outreach programs for homeschoolers, at both private and public schools.
Mr. Weed and his wife Karen have provided a Classical homeschool education to all eight of their children, augmented with school-based courses offered by SMHS (and previously at Sacred Heart Academy in Grand Rapids). Three of their children will participate in the SMHS Classical Enrichment program this fall.
Parents as Primary Educators
“Families homeschool for a variety of reasons, but chief among them is that they want greater influence on the education of their children,” stated Mr. Weed. “At St. Michael, we recognize unconditionally that parents are the primary educators of their children. Our intention is to support that influence, supplementing parental efforts with course and community experiences that can’t be replicated in the home.”
“As school should be an extension of the home, our programs must serve parents as well as students – not simply in terms of mission, but also by allowing homeschool families to maintain significant autonomy while benefitting from, and contributing to, the spiritual and intellectual richness of the SMHS community.”
Robust Course Offerings
“Guided by faithful adherence to a Christian worldview, SMHS course offerings and content are superior to anything provided by public schools,” Mr. Weed continued. “Public schools are typically limited in what they are allowed to provide to homeschool families – which is almost always merely elective classes.”
“In contrast, we avail homeschool students of our core courses, which stretch well beyond the ordinary. We offer math, science, history, English, and literature courses, but also philosophy, theology, and Latin – all from a Classical, Catholic perspective. Our model harkens back to the best education offered through the ages – from the Greek and Roman philosophers, through the Medieval and Renaissance periods, to the American Founding Fathers, and into the early 20th century when the Classical model was largely abandoned. We train our students to wrestle with ideas from history’s greatest thinkers.”
Unparalleled Flexibility
The SMHS Classical Enrichment program not only offers superior content to homeschool families, but does so with unparalleled flexibility for a traditional school environment. The option to attend for two or three days each week will help provide needed flexibility for homeschool families. Enrichment courses will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with optional participation on Wednesdays. Homeschool students who wish to attend select classes all five days per week are welcome to do so.
“While many public and private schools have reached out to homeschoolers in recent years,” Mr. Weed continued, “the vast majority find it difficult to break away from a ‘5-day mentality’, insisting that all students be in class every school day. Few respect the integrity of the homeschool family schedule and routine.”
“It takes dedicated, organized students, along with a flexible teaching staff, to make a part-time schedule work. However, the effort is well worth it as, together, we’ll continue building a rich culture where homeschool students are regularly present to enjoy spiritual fellowship and intellectual sparring with faculty and peers.”
A Joyful, Christ-centered Culture
The Classical Enrichment program offers homeschool students the opportunity to study with St. Michael faculty and full-time students, to engage in the vibrant spiritual life of the school, and to contribute their own gifts to the St. Michael culture. Participation in the program opens a door to deeper involvement of homeschool students at SMHS, through Drama, pro-life work, community service, and other curricular and extracurricular activities.
Two Program Options
- Partial course load, with 2 (or 3) days per week in-class, while doing assigned work 3 (or 2) days per week at home. In-class days are Tuesday & Thursday, with an optional third day on Wednesday.
- Partial course load, with 5 days per week in-class.
Tuition for the SMHS Classical Enrichment program, regardless of the number in-class days per week, will be set in proportion to that of a full-course load, with an additional discount for families enrolled by May 31.
“We’re committed to making the Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of our top-notch curriculum accessible and affordable to Northern Michigan families,” concluded Mr. Weed. “Please email info@smhsaca.org or call 231-489-3302 or to set up a meeting with your family or homeschool group. We look forward to meeting you!”
St. Michael High School is High School with a Higher Purpose and a proud member of the Chesterton Schools Network. Established in 2013, the St. Michael mission is to nurture and elevate a new generation of joyful leaders educated in the Classical tradition and truth of the Catholic faith. For information on SMHS, please visit the school website at stmichaelchesterton.org.