From kindergarten through high school, Oak Cottage grows with your child.
Students of all levels at Oak Cottage spend time making deep connections in each subject. Through written narrations, copywork, and dictation they learn habits of careful attention, and through Bible, history, literature, and nature study, a wonder and appreciation for God’s creation. Our goal is to partner with you to help your child learn to be responsible for their own rich education. And we also care about their growth as people. We actively teach them to support each other as a group, to connect with God, and to learn habits and skills that will lay the foundation for successful adulthood.
“Education is a discipline, an atmosphere, a life.”
—Charlotte Mason
We believe our surroundings help support the educational atmosphere at Oak Cottage, and our locations are chosen with intention. Kindergarten and elementary groups meet in a historic home in downtown Kingsport. Oak Cottage middle and high school groups meet at Bancroft Bible Camp, also in Kingsport. Bancroft’s beautiful setting gives our older students space for recreation, nature study, and even outdoor classes part of the year. Charlotte Mason said, “Never be within doors when you can be without,” and we’re thankful to be able to provide this opportunity for outdoor learning for our older students!
Oak Cottage has a family-friendly schedule of two 15 week semesters. We take a month off during the Christmas holidays and have several week long breaks during the year. We typically begin the second week of August and end the last week of April.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten at Oak Cottage is a gentle transition for young children into a group learning environment. This is a vintage kindergarten experience, and includes art projects, nature study, group play, and rich stories.
Early Elementary
Our early elementary community day introduces children to the joy of learning in a group setting, with history stories, Bible, geography, brush drawing, literature, nature study, music and art appreciation, and memory work. Tea time provides an opportunity to practice manners.
Upper Elementary
The upper elementary class continues many of these same subjects at a higher level, and in addition to memory work children have reading and writing assignments, copy work, and dictation practice to complete outside of class.
Elementary Extension
The elementary extension program is a second day of class designed especially for motivated learners. We cover literature, science & nature study, handicrafts, copy work, and we enjoy additional artist and composer time. Note: we ask each potential student if they want to attend this extra day of learning. It’s a very happy time in the week and we want it to be their choice!
Middle School
Middle school at Oak Cottage opens the door to more time spent learning deeply in community. While students continue to do some subjects completely in class, they also spread their wings at home with assigned work between meeting days. We want to go beyond academics with our students, however, so we have two built in times in our day for physical recreation and social time.
Our middle school program offers the foundation of a liberal arts education: literature and history, nature study, citizenship, Bible, art and music appreciation, Shakespeare, geography, copywork and dictation, recitation, and folksongs, hymns, poetry, and Scripture memorization. Students learn Greek and Latin root words and critical thinking skills.
Middle school meets twice a week.
High School
Oak Cottage high school students are immersed in living books and vibrant discussions, and offered opportunities to test their ideas and opinions in a constructive atmosphere valuable for the upper level learner.
Participating students may earn 5 or more credits during the school year:
*History & Geography
*Science (with lab)
*English (rich literature, Shakespeare, formal writing structure/organization)
*French 1 or 2
*Electives
In addition to the credits above, high schoolers will continue to enjoy the riches of a Charlotte Mason education: art and music appreciation, recitation, dictation, and poetry, Bible study, citizenship, folk song, and hymn memorization.
High school meets twice each week.
Oak Cottage is delighted to partner with parents to provide a Charlotte Mason education for their children with these programs. Although the responsibility for meeting state educational requirements rests with you, the homeschooling parent, we would be happy to consult with you to structure the rest of your week. If you’re interested in this optional service, please let us know on the contact form.