Area Resources

This is a list of activities and resources that might be of interest to homeschoolers. Most are not affiliated with NHCH.
Inclusion in this listing does not constitute an endorsement by NHCH, nor is it a comprehensive listing of what is available to homeschoolers in the greater Pittsburgh area.
Please visit the websites or use the phone book to contact these organizations for further information.

NHCH Mentors

 

Please respect the limitations requested in the contact section of each person.  You may call any mentor, unless otherwise specified. If you have any problems or changes, please contact Karen Morris.

 

Name:

Teresa Blum

District:

Shaler

Homeschooling Style:

Traditional textbooks

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at teresablum@comcast.net and Teresa will e-mail or call back

Years of Experience:

14

Grades currently teaching:

10 and 7

Curriculum:

ABeka, Saxon, What your _____Grader needs to Know

Participates in NHCH gym class; connections to LaRoche College; Sons are participating in a homeschool flag football team.  Oldest daughter graduated from home school and was enrolled in college classes while in High School.  She is now attending La Roche College. 

Special Notes:

Has a set of triplets, so experience in teaching multiples. Passion to help others with home schooling High School

 

Name:

Karen Boyd

District:

Seneca Valley

Homeschooling Style:

Classical Chronologic History

Contact Method:

Please call for Seneca Valley questions only. Call after 6 pm and before 10 pm at 724-538-8029.    

E-mail:  Karboyd@zoominternet.net

Years of Experience:

8

Grades currently teaching:

11 and 10

Curriculum:

Apologia science, Jacob’s Geometry, Paul Forester’s Algebra 2, IEW co-op, extra-curricular classes at public school, chronologic history, historical fiction and texts by Veritas and Sonlight

Special Notes:

Her children have participated in classes at Seneca Valley and their sport program in volleyball, basketball, and track

 

Name:

Trina Brandy

District:

Pine Richland

Homeschooling Style:

Classical, Charlotte Mason

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at trina@zoominternet.net or phone at 724-934-2213

Years of Experience:

5

Grades currently teaching:

6 and 4

Curriculum:

Math U See, Learning Language Arts through Literature, Simply Grammar, Beautiful Feet American History and Geography, Quarter Mile Math Drills, Switched on Schoolhouse

Participates in classes at Impressions in Art in Wexford; soccer with  girls U12 team; Beading; Pine Richland boys soccer with U12; Act One Theatre School; Piano; Tennis.

Special Notes:

Has twins, so experience with multiples

 

Name:

Felicia Carrola

District:

Trinity Area, Washington Co.

Homeschooling Style:

Classical / Mixed

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at racarrola@worldnet.att.net or call at 724-223-8083 between 6-7:30 pm M-F, Sat 11-4

Years of Experience:

9

Grades currently teaching:

9, 7 and 5

Curriculum:

Bible, Shurley grammar, Veritas Press, Saxon, Horizons, Bob Jones University, IEW, Imitations in Writing, Writing Strands, Spectrum, Dempsey Parr, Calculadders, Latin Primer I, Ultimate Italian, Rosetta Stone, Literary Analysis, Richard Maybury’s Economics, Constitutional Law, Apologia Science, Art

Involved in now or previously:  Awana, Pioneer Club; Co-ops; field trips; Enrichment Day; tennis; chess; soccer; horseback riding;  swimming; bicycling; Home school Bible study; piano; violin; guitar; percussion

Special Notes:

 

 

Name:

Heidi Cook

District:

Mars Area

Homeschooling Style:

Classical Christian, Charlotte Mason

Contact Method:

Prefers e-mail at heidicook@yahoo.com

Years of Experience:

10  (plus 1½ years in a public school)

Grades currently teaching:

6, 5, 2, 1 and toddler

Curriculum:

My Father’s World curriculum, Charlotte Mason, Konos and 5 in a Row

Participates in Miracle Mountain Ranch Summer Camps; CRP; Judo; Ski Club; Home school workshops at several surrounding museums;  IEW co-op; Speech Club; Science Days; harp; guitar.

Special Notes:

 

 

Name:

Kendra Detwiler

District:

Shaler Area

Homeschooling Style:

Cyber Charter School

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at skdetwiler@verizon.net  

Years of Experience:

3

Grades currently teaching:

5, 3, 1 and preschool

Curriculum:

K-12 curriculum

Participates in soccer; camping; hiking; co-ops small and large;

roller-skating; preschool group activities.

Special Notes:

Experience with organizing co-ops

 

Name:

Kimberly Forton

District:

Ambridge

Homeschooling Style:

Traditional / Eclectic

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at mkforton@access995.com or call at 724-266-2415

Years of Experience:

7

Grades currently teaching:

5, 4, 2, K, preschool, toddler, infant

Curriculum:

Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Pathway Readers, Abeka, Accelerated Christian Education, Rod and Staff, Sonlight, Christian Light Publishing, Calculadder, How to Draw series

Participates in CBS; piano;  swimming;  baseball;  AWANA; Keepers of the Faith Co-op;  gymnastics.

Special Notes:

 

 

Name:

Rebecca Kyriazis

District:

North Allegheny

Homeschooling Style:

Charlotte Mason, Classical Education with Biblical Worldview and International Focus

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at Kyriazis@msn.com or call at 412-630-4378     

Years of Experience:

6

Grades currently teaching:

5 and 1

Curriculum:

My Father’s World Curriculum

Participates in Upwards Basketball; golf; hiking; Jewart’s rock climbing; piano; Game Day; Girl Scouts; travel.

Special Notes:

 

 

Name:

Mary Beth Henderson

District:

Avonworth

Homeschooling Style:

Eclectic, relaxed

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at mb.henderson@psualum.com. Phone only if necessary, and leave a message:

412-766-3713

Years of Experience:

10

Grades currently teaching:

9/10, 6, and 5

Curriculum:

IEW, Math-U-See, Sing, Spell, Read and Write, Apologia Science, Latin, Explore the Code, Mega Words, Calculadder, Easy Grammar, Daily Grams, Miquon Math, KONOS, small co-ops, living science, inductive Bible study, Greenleaf guides

Extracurricular activities: piano; guitar; ballet, (Spotlight); competitive gymnastics; Enrichment Day; AWANA; Art classes including Monart.

Special Notes:

Will be issuing own diploma

 

Name:

Carrie Hungerman

District:

Seneca Valley

Homeschooling Style:

Unit Studies, Living Books, Relaxed Style

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at hungry6@connecttime.net or call 724-772-5591 after 3 pm Tues/Thurs      

Years of Experience:

10

Grades currently teaching:

11, 7, 5, and preschool

Curriculum:

Uses Math-U-See, Saxon Math, Unit Study for Language Arts, Study Guides for Reading, BJU Heritage Studies for History, Unit Studies for Science, 11th grader in Enrichment Day High School Co-Op and BJU Heritage Studies

Participates in Enrichment Day; Royal Rangers; Upward Basketball; piano lessons; Junior Bible Quiz; skateboarding; Karen Boyd’s Gym Class.

Special Notes:

 

 

Name:

PJ Lagerquist

District:

Fox Chapel

Homeschooling Style:

Classical

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at lagerquist@nauticom.net or call at 412-963-0338       

Years of Experience:

7

Grades currently teaching:

7, 5, 1 and preschool

Curriculum:

Fulbright Elementary Science, (through Apologia), Mystery of History, Henle Latin, a FUN 15 minute geography program, Saxon math, Jacob’s Algebra, Apologia General Science, Veritas Omnibus, Pathway Readers, Phonetic Zoo Spelling, Italic Handwriting, Logos Reading Comprehension Guides, Imitations in Writing, Drawing Textbook, Draw Squad Drawing

Extra-curricular tennis, music and art, and speech classes.

Special Notes:

 

 

Name:

Donna Lancia

District:

North Hills

Homeschooling Style:

Unit Studies

Contact Method:

E-mail first at lancia921@juno.com  Phone second at 412-931-2557    

Years of Experience:

14

Grades currently teaching:

11 and 8

Curriculum:

Enrichment Day high school, using text books, Saxon Math, Learning Language Arts thru Literature, Power Glide Latin 

Special Notes:

Graduated a son from high school.

Can assist with turning “everyday” situations into education

 

Name:

Barbara Levkoy

District:

Quaker Valley

Homeschooling Style:

 

Contact Method:

Please contact Karen Morris at dk35morris@verizon.net if you have questions about the Quaker Valley school district.  I can connect you to Barb.           

Years of Experience:

 

Grades currently teaching:

 

Curriculum:

 

Special Notes:

 

 

Name:

Jane Maruca

District:

North Hills

Homeschooling Style:

Eclectic and Therapeutic

Contact Method:

e-mail at j.maruca@comcast.net   

Years of Experience:

3

Grades currently teaching:

3

Curriculum:

Learning Language Arts through Literature, Mastering Mathmatics, Handwriting Without Tears, Speech Therapy Resources

Participates in special needs gymnastics at X-Cel gym; Therapeutic horseback riding; zoo group; museum group; sensory integration strategies; speech therapy; wraparound therapies.

Special Notes:

Experienced with homeschooling special needs, particularly autism

Participates in Special Needs Homeschooler of Western PA

contact at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SpecialneedshomeschoolersofWPA

 

Name:

Karen Morris

District:

Avonworth

Homeschooling Style:

Classical and Charlotte Mason

Contact Method:

e-mail at dk35morris@verizon.net

Years of Experience:

6

Grades currently teaching:

10, 9, 6, and 1

Curriculum:

Blackburn Study Center, Apologia  and Fulbright science in a co-op setting, Saxon math, Jacob’s Algebra and Geometry,  Paul Forester’s Algebra 2, Shurley Grammar, Spelling Power, Latina Christiana, Oxford Latin, Rosetta Stone Spanish, Write Source books, Book Clubs for Literature and Writing in co-op setting, Imitation in Writing, Mystery of History, Vocabulary Vine, Classical Vocabulary, Sing, Spell, Read and Write, Veritas Omnibus

Participates in homeschool flag football; piano lessons; Pgh Ballet Theatre School; Brownies; Karen Boyd’s gym class; Act One Theatre School.

Special Notes:

 

 

Name:

Cheryl Pfingstl

District:

Shaler

Homeschooling Style:

Charlotte Mason, Literature Approach

Contact Method:

E-mail at oldblade@nauticom.net or phone at 412-323-2335                 

Years of Experience:

7

Grades currently teaching:

8, 5, preschool

Curriculum:

Participates in Enrichment Day; Civil War Re-enactments; Public Speaking and Debate; Civil Air Patrol; volunteers at Phipps Conservatory.

Special Notes:

 

 

Name:

Amy Rafferty

District:

North Allegheny

Homeschooling Style:

Classical, Cyber Charter School

Contact Method:

Contact by phone (see NHCH membership directory). Prefers no phone calls, call after 4 pm, only if absolutely necessary.

Years of Experience:

6

Grades currently teaching:

Ages 11, 9, 6, 4

Curriculum:

Horizon Math, Spelling Power, My Father’s World, IEW, Calvert School, Latina Christiana, PA Cyber Charter School

Participates in Enrichment Day; Karen Boyd’s gym class; sports; piano; Community Bible Study; IFPAA baseball; YMCA sports; Upward Basketball; Baseball with Mary Weaver’s Sports Club.

Special Notes:

Uses Private Tutor Option of homeschool law and vaccination waivers

 

Name:

Amy Smith

District:

Northgate

Homeschooling Style:

Charlotte Mason, Classical, Unit studies

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at gotellit_amy@yahoo.com or call at 412-734-4437

Years of Experience:

3

Grades currently teaching:

2, 1, preschool

Curriculum:

Five in a Row, My Father’s World, Power Glide, Spelling Workout, Primary Language Lessons

Participates in Community Bible Study; Old Allegheny Soccer; Art classes.

Special Notes:

Has experience launching encouragement groups, and children’s book club. Also experience with special needs (physical limitations)

 

Name:

Janice Smith

District:

North Hills

Homeschooling Style:

Classical & Ecclectic

Contact Method:

Please e-mail at craigsmith22@verizon.net and she will e-mail or call back   

Years of Experience:

6

Grades currently teaching:

6, 4, 2, qnd 1

Curriculum:

Shurley grammar, Horizon and Saxon math, Learnables

Participates in football; gymnastics; girl scouts

Special Notes:

Working nearly full time while sharing home schooling responsibilities with a self-employed husband

 

Name:

Meg and Sam Spear

District:

North Hills

Homeschooling Style:

Charlotte Mason and Classical

Contact Method:

E-mail at SamandMeg@verizon.net or call at 412-492-0494     

Years of Experience:

9

Grades currently teaching:

8, 6, 5, 2, 1, preschool and toddler

Curriculum:

Jacob’s Geometry and Algebra, Singapore Math, Five in a Row, Sonlight, Story of the World

Participates in Enrichment Day; Chess Tournaments; North Hills School District soccer, basketball, running, swimming and band; Blackburn Study Center; Karen Boyd’s gym class; Mary Weaver’s summer baseball; Competitive home school boy’s basketball team.  

Special Notes:

Math teacher at Blackburn, Experience with teaching Multiple Ages with infants and toddlers

 

Academics

Community College of Allegheny County

Non-credit classes are available for children and adults in art, dance, gymnastics, swimming, etc. Visit CCAC for more details.

Scholastic Book Clubs

Homeschoolers can order from Scholastic Book Clubs just like classroom teachers do. You can register at the Scholastic website. There are also periodic sales at the Scholastic warehouse in the Waterfront shopping center in Munhall. The warehouse phone number is 1-800-451-7181.

Enrichment Day

Enrichment Day is a homeschooling co-op offering a variety of classes at Woodland Valley Church in Mars. The group meets Fridays during the school year. High school classes are also available. Contact Madeline Petrus for more details.

Sewickley YMCA

The Sewickley YMCA is offering Homeschool Enrichment Classes. Some of the classes offered have included music, swimming, gym, sign language, public speaking, Odyssey of the Mind, math tutoring, and piano. For more information contact the Sewickley YMCA and ask for Cindy Ward, x. 105.

Reading Tutor

Pam Swayne tutors reading using the Orton-Gillingham method, and specializes in helping children with dyslexia. For more information, you can contact Pam through Trina.

Blackburn Study Center

Blackburn is a Christian classical tutorial service offering classes to children in grades 3-12. Subjects include science, history, logic, Latin, rhetoric, writing, literature, and algebra. Classes meet on Monday and Wednesday mornings. For more information, visit Blackburn Study Center.

Eden Christian Academy

Eden Christian Academy offers access to individual high school courses taught by Eden's certified teachers.  They also offer Geneva College core freshman courses, whereby it is possible to receive both high school and fully transferrable college credits.

Art

Monart Art Classes

Karen Price is a licensed Monart instructor in Washington County. For more details, visit the Monart website or contact Karen.

Art Classes

Marie Long is a group member who teaches classes in pastels, printmaking, watercolor, clay, and drawing. Many of her classes focus on a particular artist or style. She is flexible and will teach small groups for one or more classes, at your home or hers. For more information, contact Marie.

Laura Hilston offers art classes in her home.  Private drawing lessons are also available for children ages 8 and up. For more information, please contact Laura.

Art classes with Linda Frank. Contact her at cfrank@connecttime.net. The primary purpose of the classes is to expose the student to art history, art movements, and famous artist past and present.  I focus on helping them acquire a knowledge of color, perspective, techniques and art vocabulary.

Karen Morrison is offering art classes to homeschoolers in their own homes.  She is a graduate of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  She has ideas to suggest, but will also tailor make your classes to suit your wants.  Contact Karen at timkaren@connecttime.net

Beading Classes and Parties

"The Bead Lady" will teach two beaded projects at your location to children age 6 and up. She will also do adult home parties, with a premium to you if you host. For more information, contact Kathy Shomo's shop, The Blue Bead.

North Hills Art Center

The North Hills Art Center offers classes for homeschoolers as well as the general public. The Art Center is located on Babcock Boulevard in Ross Twp.

SweetWater Center for the Arts

The Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickley is offering some classes just for home schoolers. There is an "Art Sampler" course for both ages 6-10 and ages 11-15, and beginning Spanish classes for ages 6-8 and 9-12. They also have, as always, an assortment of evening or Saturday classes for kids as well as adults. You can get more information about these or other classes by calling them at 412-741-4405. The classes are usually weekly for 6-8 weeks, but they have one time classes and private lessons as well. Also useful to know, there is usually a 10% discount on tuition if you register 10 days in advance of the first class.

Christian Groups

AWANA

AWANA is a nondenominational ministry that assists churches in reaching children and teenagers with the Gospel. Clubs are located at several area churches, including Northgate Church in West View and the Mars Christian & Missionary Alliance. Visit AWANA for more information about the program.

Community Bible Study

Community Bible Study is held at Christ Church @ Grove Farm on Monday evenings, beginning in September and running through the school year.

The Bible study is structured and includes small group discussion, a teaching lecture, and a take-home commentary with homework questions.

Whole families are encouraged to come, and children and adults will follow the same study; preschoolers will learn Bible stories. For more information go to www.pittsburghnorthhillsevecbs.org

Pioneer Clubs

Pioneer Clubs are geared toward reaching children with the Gospel. Some of the local churches offering Pioneer Clubs include Crestmont Alliance Church in Aliquippa, Ruthred Lutheran Church in Bethel Park, Stone Ridge Convenant Church in Allison Park, St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Allison Park and Covenant Community PCA.

Music, Drama and Dance Classes

Fairgrieve School of Dance

The Fairgrieve School is located on Rte. 910 in West Deer Twp. and is offering discounted afternoon jazz, tap, and ballet classes for homeschoolers.

Bella School of Dance

Offers age-appropriate dance education in an encouraging, non-competitive environment.  The classes offered are ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip hop.  Home-schooling families receive a discount.

Perrysville PTA Dance School

This is an inexpensive after-school dance program including ballet, tap, and jazz for pre-school through sixth grade. Other North Hills School Districts offer similar programs.

Ballet Baroque

Ballet Baroque offers classical ballet in West View; for more information contact Bobbie Paulson.

Highland Dancing Classes

Traditional Scottish Highland Dance classes are held on Tuesdays at the Coraopolis Presbyterian Church; the licensed instructor is Wendy Ferrell. For more information, contact Laura Miller.

Spotlight

Spotlight offers drama, dance, voice, and piano lessons with full-length ballets and musicals presented 3 times a year. The studio is located at 442 Perry Highway, in West View (412-931-1001).

Saltworks Acting Classes

Classes in acting, musical theater, improvisation, and more are offered to children age 6-16. They are held at Orchard Hill Chapel in Wexford, with options including eight-week classes in the spring and fall, one-day workshops, and summer day camps. For more information visit Saltworks.

The Pittsburgh Music Academy

The Pittsburgh Music Academy