Children ages 8-10 ready to deepen academic skills while growing in independence, responsibility and leadership within a collaborative community.

This program is ideal for students who are developing stronger reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning and written expression. Children also benefit from individualized pacing and opportunities to mentor and be mentored in a mixed-age setting.

As part of our model of community care, for any indoor time, masks are required. All learners must reliably be able to wear an N-95 or KN-95 mask.

Students generally transition into upper elementary between ages 8-10, when they demonstrate readiness for deeper academic inquiry, greater independence in managing their learning and the social-emotional maturity needed for collaborative leadership in a mixed-age setting.

Transitions are individualized and occur when each child shows confidence, engagement and readiness for increased responsibility.

As part of our community care model, all learners are required to wear masks while indoors. All learners must reliably be able to wear an N-95 or KN-95 mask during their time indoors.

All learners are required to be up-to-date on all vaccines as recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health and CIDRAP, unless a medical exemption applies.

Students engage in increasingly complex literacy, mathematics, science and social studies work through a combination of direct instruction, guided practice and project-based learning.

Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, research skills, organization and clear communication.

In the mixed-age classroom, students learn to manage longer-term projects, collaborate across age groups, take perspective (including historical perspective) and practice empathy and teamwork.

Older students develop leadership through mentorship, while younger students gain confidence through modeling and support.

10 kids or fewer. HMLC keeps classes intentionally small to ensure strong relationships, personalized academic support and meaningful collaboration.

Teachers know each learner well and tailor instruction to individual strengths, goals and areas for growth.

Collaboration and open project time
Morning meeting
English Language Arts, math,
Lunch
Collaboration and open project time
Snack
Art/science/history/social studies

Integrated units may include historical research and presentations, science investigations and experiments, mathematical problem-solving challenges, persuasive writing projects or community-based service learning.

A typical week blends literacy, math, independent research time, collaborative team projects and opportunities for creative expression.

Students practice planning, organizing, revising and presenting their work to authentic audiences.

Students typically move into the early middle program between ages 10-12 as they demonstrate readiness for greater independence, sustained inquiry and increased responsibility in both academic and social settings.

Because the mixed-age structure and collaborative culture continue, transitions are supportive and familiar, allowing students to step forward with confidence while maintaining strong peer and teacher relationships.

If your child has a mental or behavioral health diagnosis (or known mental or behavioral health challenges) or has a history of physically running away from adults or groups into unsafe situations outside of safety boundaries (i.e. running into the street despite being aware of safety rules and being asked to stop), we ask that families connect with HMLC administrators and educators to discuss before enrolling.

Every child and every situation is different, so we may be able to accommodate your family safely in a way that fully supports your child.

However, we are a very small organization and are unable to provide dedicated, one-on-one support, such as individual support specialists.

Please discuss with us first and we can let you know if the HMLC program is a good fit for your family’s needs. ‍

Yes! One of the unique aspects of HMLC’s program is our homeschool hybrid program.

We offer two options for our early elementary program:

• Full-time, five days/week or

• Two days/week homeschool hybrid program. Participants in this program must be registered with their local school districts as homeschoolers and working as a home school family.

HMLC’s homeschool hybrid program is an in-person, screen-free experience. HMLC educators can assist with ongoing homeschool work, address challenging subjects, complement homeschool learning and more.

Yes! To welcome pioneering families in our inaugural year of the Upper Elementary program, we’re offering:

• A 10% tuition discount for upper elementary students in their first year.

• A 15% sibling discount for any siblings in any HMLC education program (standard discount is 10%).

• A $100 credit for any week of Camp HMLC during the summer of 2026.

• Guaranteed small class sizes.

• Priority placement in future education programs.

This is a rare opportunity to give your child an exceptional, personalized educational experience and help customize a program from the ground up.