The Charis Collaborative Model
Written by Heather Lloyd and Kim Nielsen
A Community of Shared Purpose At Charis Classical Academy, education is not something that happens only in a classroom. It is a shared endeavor between the school and the family. Our collaborative model is built on the conviction that parents are the primary influence in a child’s life, and when parents and teachers work together with a unified vision, students flourish academically, spiritually, and relationally. The collaborative model works because families and teachers share a common vision. Education at Charis is not fragmented between home and school—it is unified. Together, we seek to cultivate wisdom, character, and a love of learning, equipping students not only with knowledge, but with the habits of mind and heart that will serve them throughout their lives. At Charis Classical Academy, education is truly a partnership—and that partnership enriches the learning of every student.
How the Collaborative Model Works Charis is a full-time private school, not a co-op or part-time program. Students attend school five days a week, but learning takes place in two environments: the central classroom and the satellite classroom (typically home). This structure blends the strengths of a traditional school with the benefits of home-based learning. Teachers direct the curriculum and design the full academic program for the week. Classroom teachers prepare detailed lesson plans, objectives, and assignments through the ClassReach platform that guide both classroom instruction and satellite-day learning at home.
Parents serve as co-teachers, actively supporting and implementing these plans on home days. They mentor, guide, and encourage their children while maintaining close communication with the classroom teacher. While one parent typically serves as the primary co-teacher during satellite days, the collaborative model works best when both parents remain engaged in their child’s education. One parent may carry more of the daily instructional responsibilities, while the other provides encouragement, support, and involvement in school life. Families often find that this shared investment strengthens both their children’s education and their family relationships. This partnership allows everyone—teachers, parents, and students—to work toward the same educational goals. The schedule varies slightly by grade level, but the rhythm remains consistent. Central Classroom for Grammar Students is Monday, Wednesday, and half-day Friday with the Satellite Classroom at home with a co-teacher on Tuesday and Thursday. Logic and Rhetoric Students attend the Central Classroom Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and complete Satellite Classroom work on Tuesday and Thursday. They can additionally register for Tuesday Deeper, a program to complete Tuesday work in a community supervised by a Charis teacher.
Two Learning Environments, One Education The collaborative model intentionally provides two distinct learning environments, each with unique benefits. Together, these environments create something unique: a private school education that blends the strengths of both traditional schooling and home learning.
The Central Classroom
In the classroom, students benefit from experiences that thrive in a group setting. These include: ● ● ● ● ● ●
Partner and group projects Classroom discussions Presentation skills Collaborative games and activities Developing friendships and peer relationships Practicing group dynamics and leadership
The Satellite Classroom
On satellite days, learning moves into the home, where students benefit from: ● ● ● ● ●
One-on-one attention from parents Flexible pacing when appropriate Deep reading and discussion of meaningful literature Long-term projects that require uninterrupted time Mentoring in study habits and executive functioning
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Tuesday Deeper, Further Up, Further In: an optional, additional day on Tuesday for 6th-12th graders for the purpose of more time learning in community under the supervision of CCA teachers and staff. Students will have time to do satellite work in a more structured, supervised environment to continue working on habits of attention, diligence, and seeking excellence in academic work. In addition, they will be able to ask questions for immediate feedback from a paid staff member &/or another classmate. However, our desire is not just to complete satellite work together. Students will spend time in deeper discussions, discipleship and character formation, and enrichment opportunities such as music, fitness, practicing a common art, or planning service projects.
ClassReach and Weekly Lesson Plans ClassReach serves as the primary communication hub for Charis. Important documents, forms, calendars, and messages are shared through this platform. Each Friday by 5:00 p.m., teachers post lesson plans for the upcoming week. These plans include: ● Learning objectives ● Specific assignments ● Home activities
● Materials needed for class ● Upcoming quizzes, tests, or projects
Parent Roles in the Collaborative Model The collaborative model at Charis Classical Academy is designed to invite parents into an active and meaningful role in their children’s education. You are not expected to create curriculum or carry the full responsibility of teaching. Instead, you work alongside the classroom teacher to help your child engage with the material and develop a love of learning. While parental involvement is important at every stage, the nature of that involvement naturally changes as students mature. Throughout these changing roles, parents remain the most important influence in their child’s life. Our goal is to support families as they lovingly guide their children toward wisdom, responsibility, and maturity all the way through graduation. ● Co-Teacher - provide active instruction and guidance for satellite classroom lessons (primarily Grammar School) ● Transitional Co-Teacher - guide developing independence, study habits and skills ● Guide for Dependent Study - support greater student ownership and healthy executive function skills, including communication with classroom teachers. ● Guide for Independent Study - supervise progress of upper rhetoric student allowing student to take primary responsibility for their work ● Course Monitor - monitor assignment completion and encourage engagement (courses with minimal to no satellite work)
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One of the most important roles parents play is that of encourager and cheerleader. This role continues even into adulthood. Children thrive when parents notice their efforts, celebrate their successes, and support them through challenges. Parents who study their children—learning what motivates them and how they learn best—are able to offer encouragement that builds confidence, perseverance, and joy in learning. Children thrive when the parents believe in them, invest in them, and cheer them on.
Communication: The Key to a Successful Partnership Strong communication between home and school is essential for the collaborative model to flourish. At Charis, communication flows in both directions. While digital communication tools are helpful, nothing replaces personal conversation. Charis provides several opportunities throughout the year for parents and teachers to meet and discuss student progress. If a concern arises, we encourage families to speak directly with the teacher rather than relying solely on email. These conversations help maintain the strong relationships that are central to our collaborative model.
Parent Expectations and Contributions Parents are expected to regularly review: ● ● ● ● ●
Weekly lesson plans Messages sent through ClassReach The Family Handbook School announcements and distributions Materials sent home in the student communication folder ● School calendar updates
Parents also contribute by: ● Completing surveys and providing helpful feedback ● Updating contact information in ClassReach ● Communicating questions or concerns with teachers ● Addressing issues at the appropriate level through respectful conversation
Support and Training for Co-Teachers Parents are never expected to navigate this role alone. Charis intentionally provides training, resources, and encouragement to equip co-teachers for success. Through this support network, families find that they are not simply helping their own children—they are part of a community committed to raising and educating the next generation together. Support includes: ● Co-Teacher training in the curriculum and instructional approach ● Mentorship from experienced co-teachers for new families
● Co-Teacher Coffee gatherings for encouragement and collaboration ● Regular communication with classroom teachers ● Community among parents for prayer, support, and shared wisdom 4
Opportunities for Parent Community Charis values the strong relationships that develop among families in the collaborative model. Parents are encouraged to participate in opportunities such as: ● ● ● ●
Co-Teacher Coffee gatherings Family socials and community events Volunteer opportunities in the classroom Field trips and student performances
● School fundraising and service initiatives ● Organizing satellite day exchanges or co-ops with other families
The Benefits of the Collaborative Model Families consistently identify several unique blessings that grow out of this approach. ● Stronger Family Relationships: Because parents know what their children are learning, education naturally becomes part of everyday conversation. Families read together, discuss ideas at dinner, and walk through challenges and discoveries side by side. ● Academic Excellence with Personal Attention: Students receive high-quality instruction from trained teachers while also benefiting from individualized support at home. ● Character and Spiritual Formation: Parents and teachers reinforce the same values, providing consistent guidance in both academic and character development. Students see faith and learning modeled by multiple adults with different gifts and personalities. ● Growth in Responsibility and Independence: Students learn time management, study habits, and personal responsibility as they balance classroom expectations and satellite assignments. ● A Gift of Time: Perhaps one of the greatest blessings families mention is simply the gift of time together—time to learn, discuss, grow, and build relationships that last far beyond school years.
Challenges—and the Fruit That Follows
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The collaborative model is not always the easiest educational path. It asks parents to invest time, energy, and attention into their children’s education. Yet many families discover that the fruit is profound: deeper relationships, shared learning, strong academic formation, and a unified approach to raising and educating their children. Parents dedicate significant time to satellite-day learning, which can be challenging for some families, particularly those with two full-time working parents. Clear communication between home and school is also essential. Occasionally, misunderstandings occur about assignments or expectations. However, Charis strives to maintain a grace-filled, biblically grounded approach, where teachers and parents work together to resolve challenges and support one another. Many parents find that while the model is not always the easiest, it is deeply rewarding.
Is the Collaborative Model Right for Your Family? The collaborative model at Charis Classical Academy is a beautiful and rewarding approach to education, but it is also a unique commitment. Because parents and teachers work closely together, families who thrive in this model typically share a few important desires and priorities. As you consider Charis, you might ask yourself the following questions: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Do you desire meaningful time with your children during their school years? Do you want to know what your children are learning—and be part of the conversation? Do you believe parents should play an active role in their child’s education? Do you appreciate the strengths of both homeschooling and traditional schooling? Do you value a strong partnership between families and teachers? Are you willing to dedicate time each week to guiding your child’s learning at home? Do you desire your children to grow not only academically, but also in character and responsibility? Do you want your children to be influenced by both family and a strong community of Christian educators and families?
If you desire an education where home and school truly work together, the collaborative model at Charis may be a wonderful fit for your family.
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