FAQs

Q:

A:

Grace Baptist Church in Monroeville, every Thursday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (optional classes are 9:00 to 11:00 am).

Q:

A:

We provide enrichment via unit studies that fuse Christian values with knowledge, using hands-on projects.

Q:

A:

Mostly science, literature, and social studies.

Q:

A:

Teachers work with TLC leaders to select age-appropriate curricula.

Some home-use materials may be required, especially for older groups.

Q:

A:

Roughly by grade or age, but at the discretion of the parents, and taking into account friendships, siblings, and other factors.  The approximate group breakdown by grade is:

Primary (Christine Lovett) - PreK-1 grade

Junior (Kristie Deemer) - 1-3 grade

Middle (Becky Narchus & Elizabeth Sarber) - 3-5 grade

Adv. Middle (Erika Zajdel & Rose Owens) - 5-7 grade

Senior (Rose Owens & Erika Zajdel) - 7-9 grade

Q:

A:

Primary & Junior - None.

Middle, Advanced Middle & Senior - Up to an hour or two per week.

Q:

A:

No.

Q:

A:

Teachers must be professing and practicing Biblical Christians with good references, showing Fruit of the Spirit.  Candidates should have multiple years of teaching background (homeschool teaching counts) - including some at the approximate age level as the position. A teacher must be willing and eager to share his/her faith testimony.

Q:

A:

Paid staff, who may be TLC parents.

Q:

A:

Informally - but closely - by the administrators of TLC.  Parents are welcome to occasionally sit in on classes and provide feedback.

Q:

A:

Turnover rate is very low; typically, a teacher will teach at TLC for at least five years.  New teachers are usually TLC parents or are recommended by TLC parents. 

Q:

A:

Tuition is $450 per student with discounts available after 2 sibling registrations which cover classes and most materials. There is a per-family utilities fee to compensate the hosting church for additional utility costs.  Starting in 2026-27 there will be a per-family $10 annual fee for HomeSchool Life.  There will sometimes be an extra fee for materials or field trips.

Before TLC classes start at 11:00, Art optional classes meet from 9:00 - 10:00, and other optional classes from 10:00 - 11:00.  Optional classes typically cost $4 per student per session, which works out to $50+ per semester. 

Q:

A:

TLC registration fees are non-refundable.  Tuition will be refunded on a pro-rated basis if a student is leaving due to a family move out of the area, serious health issues in the family, etc.

Q:

A:

Families can pay their full tuition at the start of the academic year or pay half at the start of each semester.   Need-based scholarships are available. A limited number of “work options” are also available - earning a tuition discount.

Q:

A:

Yes.  Each family must serve as lunch supervisor or end-of-day clean-up person at least once per semester. Parents are NOT required to teach classes.

Q:

A:

A 1/3 tuition discount is available to teachers, aides, and in some cases for people who help with administrative tasks or projects.

Q:

A:

A parent can swap times or pay someone else to do the job - but he/she is responsible for ensuring the task is completed.

Q:

A:

Yes (in development).

Q:

A:

8-11 students and one teacher (plus an Aide for Primary group).

Q:

A:

The teacher is the authority and has the right to impose or allow consequences for bad behavior.

Q:

A:

Refer to the Kindness / Anti-Bullying Policy.  For young or immature children, teachers will generally resolve conflicts.  For older children, Biblical principles will be used, particularly as found in Matt 12 and 18.

Bullying will not be tolerated.  We will follow a “3 strikes and you’re out” policy:

• First offense - Teacher or administrator intervenes to provide a warning and possibly a time out.  Reconciliation is required and parents are notified.
• Second offense - Same as with First, plus Teacher and administrator meet with child(ren) and parent(s) to explain that the child(ren) is/are on probation.
• Third offense - Same as with Second plus possible suspension or expulsion.

Q:

A:

Yes, on a temporary basis - to be worked out with the teacher.

Q:

A:

Each group is assigned to a half-hour lunch slot, such as 12:00 or 12:30.

Each group is assigned to a half-hour recess slot, such as 2:00 or 2:30.

Students must get permission to have a bathroom break, although teachers of older classes can choose “blanket permission.”  No more than one student at a time per group may be on break (barring extenuating circumstances).

Q:

A:

Occasional field trips.  Many parents help their children cultivate TLC friendships through non-TLC parties, excursions, etc.

Q:

A:

LLC - run as a nonprofit.

Q:

A:

The teachers are responsible, and the Leadership Team (consisting of David & Sally Coleman, Erin Roberts, and Whitney Patterson). A few additional individuals are Advisors to the Leadership Team, and parents are welcome to share opinions and ideas.

Q:

A:

Feedback can be provided on the HSL website.  Any parent can talk to anyone on the Leadership Team or request time with the Leadership Team as a whole.

Q:

A:

Online portal : HomeSchool Life (HSL) 

Email or texting

Q:

A:

Each family is responsible to check the TLC website (HSL) before leaving for TLC but after 8:00 am.  Email will be used as a backup.

Q:

A:

There are designated Study hall / lounge areas. For HELP students, there is a bench in the lobby at the end of the hall and folding chairs outside Room 5. For everyone else, lounge areas consist of the main lobby or room 13.

Q:

A:

Drop-offs are not allowed for TLC. A responsible teen or adult must take the student to class or wherever he/she belongs.
Students will wait in designated locations for after-class pick-up.

Q:

A:

Yes.

Q:

A:

(Well-developed by GBC).

Q:

A:

All teachers, aides, and other paid staff must have 3 PA clearances: 

• Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance
• Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check
• Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)

Unpaid volunteers (including all parents helping with lunch supervision) need the first two clearances, but not the third; they need:

• Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance
• Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check

See https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/clearance

Q:

A:

Yes, but within limits… so as to improve the classroom experience for all.

Q:

A:

Yes, as coordinated with the teacher.