Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join?
All families are welcome to join LEAF! We respect that all families have their own method of homeschooling. Leadership Education may not be your current homeschool method but we ask that all members become familiar with the LE philosophy. The understanding of these principles will help in knowing how and why we run the LEAF program.
How often do you meet?
We meet every Friday in Snohomish from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The dates vary from year to year, but we generally meet from the Friday after Labor Day until the first Friday of May. Our current calendar can be viewed here.
What ages are welcome at LEAF?
We have a place for all children, 0-18, and their parents.
What classes are offered?
Is LEAF a school? How much will I need to teach my kids outside of LEAF?
LEAF is not a school and does not offer a comprehensive education. LEAF helps families create self-reliant learners. We believe in lifelong learning for all family members. We are a family academy. That means we inspire families on their educational journey by exposing them to many subjects and ideas. We encourage them to deepen their studies at home.
Scholar projects invite learners to do a lot of homework – 10-20 hours/week depending on learning style and number of projects a learner is enrolled in. Core and Love of Learners (ages 0-12+) are not assigned homework. What you teach your Core and LOL learners at home is up to you. LEAF highly recommends applying the Leadership Education Recipe for Success Ingredients as described in Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning by Rachel and Oliver DeMille.
What are parents expected to do as part of LEAF?
LEAF knows that a community’s value is dependent upon its members and their participation and contribution. We expect parents to help with Friday duties, mentor a class, help out with events, create a Family Kit (for Junior Program families), and offer time to support the group. LEAF’s Friday Family Academy is a co-op in which all parents take turns leading activities for children and youth.
LEAF has a training program to help parents of Scholars prepare for and then mentor in our co-op. Parent mentor interns are paired with a training mentor for 4 weeks, when they learn to plan and introduce topics in a myriad of ways: discussion, document studies, simulations, etc.
All parents are mentors to their children, and we provide intensive training in the summer as well as monthly mini-trainings during the school year. We all grow in our mentoring abilities and experience from year to year.
What is Leadership Education?
Leadership Education, also known as Thomas Jefferson Education or TJEd, is the philosophy at the heart of LEAF. It isn’t a curriculum or a program. It is a set of principles that can be applied in any school, co-op, home, or individual life. Leadership Education trains thinkers, leaders, artists, inventors, citizens, entrepreneurs, and statesmen. It educates individuals “how to think” and teaches them why it is important. As stated on TJEd.org, it is an “education where parents, teachers and mentors help each individual student discover and refine their unique, innate genius and get an education to prepare for life success.”
What are your classes like?
Our classes are designed to help learners progress through the Phases of Learning. That means a family kit (our Junior Program “class”) looks very different from a Scholar class. The content of every kit or class is a vehicle to spark curiosity and inspire students to engage in learning appropriate to their phase. In our Junior Program classes (ages 0-12+) developing friendships is a priority. In our Scholar Program, students rely on and deepen friendships with their cohort to support them in their progress through the more academically rigorous Scholar Phase. We welcome families to come visit or do a trial membership to experience this unique learning environment.
Does LEAF require members to sign a statement of faith?
We do not require members to sign a statement of faith. Families of all beliefs are accepted and honored. We are a multi-denominational community and our belief in God is expressed at LEAF events (e.g. prayer before a potluck, a Christmas party with a nativity). No one religion or doctrine will be taught. We start our Academy day with a prayer and our scholar classes include discussions about valor, faith, forgiveness, & Providence.
How much does it cost to be part of LEAF?
Are parents required to stay all day at LEAF on Fridays?
Yes. Our culture is unique in that we don’t just educate children, we mentor families on their Leadership Education journey. This requires that we have lots of face time to get to know each other and build our community.
Can we visit before our family commits?
Certainly! Please email us at parentrep@leaffamilyacademy.org to discuss your needs. We are always happy to have families on visitor days and offer an 8-week trial membership before committing for the whole year. If you’re interested in the trial membership please click below.
How do I join?
So glad you asked! Click below to find out what to do next.
What does it mean that LEAF is a Discount Group with HSLDA?
We recommend that homeschooling families join HSLDA. Even if you never experience legal trouble yourself, your HSLDA membership will help enable other homeschooling families to get the legal help they need and will help defend our right to homeschool here in Washington. Membership in HSLDA also gives you personal access to the legal staff; HSLDA’s experienced high school, special needs, and Toddlers to Tweens consultants; and discounts through HSLDA’s PerX program. Plus, LEAF members save $15 on the HSLDA membership price when they enter our Discount Group code on the HSLDA membership form!
We would love for you to join us!
Does this sound like a group you want your family to be a part of? Are you ready to make new friends and change the world for the better?