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A once a week school that is owned and operated by the families that run it.  It is a model of a homeschool co-op that is designed to last 20 or more years.  The school is eventually run by an elected board that governs based on written documents that protect the founder’s original vision of educational philosophy and the vision and mission of the school. An NCS is run on a volunteer system.  Each family that participates gets to put their “Parent Power” into the school and see it run effectively and efficiently thanks to systems, roles, and stewardships.  

A New Commonwealth School is all of this, but it is most importantly a place where the homeschool family feels supported and strengthened and everyone (youth and adults alike) is increasing their educational capacities while interacting with amazing peers. It is a positive educational culture!

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Contact the Parent Representative.

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Parents are expected to help mentor or assist in classes, to hold positions on committees, help determine class subjects and to continue to educate and improve themselves (lead by example). Parents are vital to the ongoing functions of the school.

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Adult and Scholar book groups, Parent Education, Scholar Activities, Park Days in Summer, Campouts and other impromptu events.

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The TJED philosophy in a nutshell is that "Every student has inner genius, and the best educational results are usually attained when a mentor continually assesses what the individual student needs and tries to help deliver it."-(TJED.org)

This is an education style led by parent example. They mold and model the education to their home. The how and what look different in each home and with each child. 

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Core- appx ages 0-8: learn through play and focus is on good/bad, right/wrong, true false

Love of learning appx ages 8-12: still learning through play, but exploring areas of interest deeper and falling in love with learning

Scholar- appx ages 12+ (including adults): progress from desire to learn and study more to rigorous attainment of breadth and depth of knowledge.

For more information go to the TJED phases of learning site.

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We meet on Thursdays from 10:00-3:00 at Trinity Baptist Church

8421 Meadow Rd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499

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Children ages birth-18 years old can attend. Parents are also offered training and opportunities to pursue their own scholar phase. Education does not end when you receive a diploma!

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A mentor is a person who facilitates learning. Their focus is not on a curriculum, but on the student. They adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of the student and inspire the student to do the hard work of learning. They focus on the student as a whole person and help to build character and understanding, not just knowledge. They set the example and walk the path ahead of the student, doing the work along with them.

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Co-op: A co-op comes into being when a group of parents decides to work together to organize specific regularly scheduled classes, clubs, or activities that member families can participate in.

Commonwealth:  A once a week school that is owned and operated by the families that run it. It is a model of a homeschool co-op that is designed to last 20 or more years.

In essence a Commonwealth is built to last longer than the original founder is a part of the school. Elections are held to pass the responsibilites to the next cycle of leadership so that the school will continue long term. There are founding documents (Constitution and Policies and Procedures) to govern the school and provide checks and balances.