Have a non-science-minded high school student who needs a lab science course?  Sign them up for Botany! I promise I can make the course painless and, dare I say, enjoyable.

This course has been designed for the non-science-minded student and has been customized to the 9a/9b growing zone where we are in Florida. “Book work” makes up about 20% of the course, and the rest is hands-on. The class will include some microscope work, but most labs will involve getting their hands dirty growing plants of the student’s choice (vegetables, flowers, decorative plants, etc.) and learning what to do, and what NOT to do here in Florida.  No yard? That’s ok – students may work with containers. Class assumes NO experience. Mature 8th graders accepted.

A High School credit is 120 hours. Students will meet in person or online about 2-3 times a month in both the fall and Spring semesters. In addition, students will be responsible (on the honor system) for completing an additional 2-4 hours a week on short lessons and also on their at-home projects to meet the 120-hour requirement. 

The class tuition is $25 per class, payable in advance by the month. If you have a friend who'd like to take the class with you, the price drops to $15 per class.  The maximum number of students is 5. Class time will be arranged at the time of sign-up according to your schedule. Due to our climate, classes will not start in May, June, or July. There will be no refunds for missed classes; however, materials for those missed classes can be provided for makeup on their own. 

The textbook can be purchased on Amazon and sells for about $20. It is not a workbook so purchasing a used book is not only accepted but encouraged! 

In addition to tuition, there is a one-time lab fee of $25 for in-person classes.  This fee is omitted if only attending online, but then you will be responsible for obtaining all your own materials. Note, depending on the projects your student chooses, there may be additional costs which you will determine with your student (vegetable seedlings, perennials, annuals etc). If you already have soil, containers, seeds, etc., no need to purchase new! At home projects will be 100% student led. In fact, students will be given the opportunity to choose a format for their work that they feel most comfortable with. Their work can take place in the form of worksheets, drawing or sketching, or students can learn how to present their materials in PowerPoint.

To ask additional questions or register, send an email to: shelby@learningpad.io

Reading and Writing PERT Readiness class

PERT stands for Postsecondary Education Readiness Test. It is a test used in Florida to determine placement in math and Language Arts Classes. For those High School Students wishing to dual enroll, students must score a minimum score to enroll in college level courses. For example, State College of Florida requires a 106 in Reading and a 103 in Writing. Dual Enrollment classes and sometimes books are provided for free in most counties in Florida.

The Reading and Writing portions of the PERT are two separate tests. They are completely computerized. Students will need to be able to read selections and make answer choices ranging from the required grammar rules, relationships between sentences, parallelism, redundancy, wordiness, and more. There is no actual writing;  rather, students will have to identify good or bad writing.

This is an online or in-person class (Ellenton area)  that will meet every week for 10 weeks.  We will review or in some cases learn, all the elements needed to pass both the reading and writing elements of the PERT Test. Students will also take sample tests to get used to the various question styles.  If more instruction is needed, students may be asked to take the sample tests at home.  Depending on individual ability, students may need to study outside the course.

Classes will be scheduled according to participant availability. The cost of the entire class is $250  total. Payment is required in advance. If two or more people would like to sign up together, the class fee drops to $225. The maximum class size will be 4 students.  There are no refunds for missed classes; however, missed materials will be available. 

Prerequisite: Students should understand basic writing skills and have a good grasp of grammar. 

To ask additional questions or register for the class, please email: shelby@learningpad.io

Writing and Grammar

Appropriate for grades 7-12, this writing class will start at the very beginning, covering the basic structure of a paragraph, and then progress through writing 5-paragraph essays with MLA citation.  I will cover in detail how to use MLA citation.  Types of writing included will be personal narratives, retelling (summarizing a story),  a persuasive essay, compare-contrast, literature analysis, and response-type paragraphs to literature, science, and history questions, as is common in college classes. 

In addition, grammar will be covered extensively in order to properly compose well-constructed writing.  Parts of speech, comma usage, parallelism, wordiness, and other topics will be covered. 

Classes will be scheduled according to participant availability. Classes will run once a week for approximately 25 weeks. Holiday closures will be announced in advance and will not be charged.  The cost of each class session is $25 per class, payable by the month in advance. If two families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $18 per class with a maximum of 4 participants. If three families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $15 per class.   There are no refunds for missed classes; however, missed materials will be available.

This class assumes no prior knowledge. However, it will move at a pace for grades 7 - 12.  Your students will be writing   a new piece every 2-3 weeks at home and will receive detailed personalized feedback. Students should feel comfortable with other students seeing their work. 

To ask additional questions or register for the class, please email: shelby@learningpad.io

Please note: zoom classes and online classes must be schedule separately. Zoom sessions run 40 minutes. In person classes run 45-55 minutes depending on the participants. 

Literature

Appropriate for grades 8-12, this high school-level literature class will cover an academic year's worth of short stories, drama, poetry, and Shakespeare's Caesar. The class will also cover vocabulary, plot analysis, and the use of literary devices (alliteration, hyperbole, metaphor, personification, and many more). Writing will be limited to short essay questions, meaning one paragraph. Writing is a separate class. Note: elements of writing can be combined into this course by request. 

Classes will be scheduled according to participant availability. Classes will run once a week for approximately 30 weeks. Holiday closures will be announced in advance and will not be charged.  The cost of each class session is $25 per class, payable by the month in advance. If two families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $18 per class with a maximum of 4 participants. If three families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $15 per class.   There are no refunds for missed classes; however, missed materials will be available.

This class assumes no prior knowledge. However, it will move at a pace for grades 8 - 12. 

To ask additional questions or register for the class, please email: shelby@learningpad.io

Government

Appropriate for grades 7 - 12. Students will dive into the heart of American democracy with our focused Civics class, designed to illuminate the workings of the U.S. government and the Constitution. This course invites students to engage deeply with the principles that shaped our nation, from the thoughts of the framers and founders to the pivotal role of the Supreme Court and the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

Students will sharpen their critical thinking skills and dissect the core aspects of government and civic participation. Homework is crafted to reinforce learning, with practical worksheets, selected readings, and concise writing tasks—no lengthy essays, just clear, thoughtful paragraphs. Adding a layer of understanding, we’ll also touch on U.S. geography. This class isn’t just academic; it’s a journey into active citizenship, offering tools for engagement in the great American experiment. 

Classes will be scheduled according to participant availability. Classes will run once a week for approximately 30 weeks. Holiday closures will be announced in advance and will not be charged.  The cost of each class session is $25 per class, payable by the month in advance. If two families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $18 per class with a maximum of 4 participants. If three families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $15 per class.   There are no refunds for missed classes;  however, missed materials will be available.

This class assumes no prior knowledge. However, it will move at a pace for grades 7 - 12. 

To ask additional questions or register for the class, please email: shelby@learningpad.io

Biology

This Apologia course is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of biology while also preparing them for college-level biology and the ACT.

Topics covered include the science and chemistry of life, ecology, cell structure and function, cellular energy, DNA and genetics, evolution, prokaryotes and viruses, protists and fungi, plant diversity and reproduction, plant structure and function, and the biology of various types of animals. Students will learn how to utilize the proper scientific method through weekly hands-on practice, how to record data and report it, and how to read, create, and utilize several types of graphs, a skill also required for the SAT and ACT exams. This class is an excellent option, in particular, for the “non-science” minded kid or parents who aren’t quite sure how to handle the lab component of middle school/ high school science. Material will be broken down in a way that anyone can not only understand but also excel.

Classes will be scheduled according to participant availability. Classes will run once a week for approximately 30 weeks. Holiday closures will be announced in advance and will not be charged.  The cost of each class session is $25 per class, payable by the month in advance. If two families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $18 per class with a maximum of 4 participants. If three families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $15 per class.   There are no refunds for missed classes; however, missed materials will be available. Most lab materials are household items, but families will have to purchase some items (strawberries, mushrooms, eggs, dissections specimen).  A microscope and slides will be provided for in-person classes. Online students will have to purchase these on their own. 

This class assumes no prior knowledge. However, it will move at a pace for grades 7 - 12. 

To ask additional questions or register for the class, please email: shelby@learningpad.io

Beginning Algebra I

This course bridges the gap between basic arithmetic and high school algebra, providing students with a strong foundation in mathematical thinking and problem-solving. Topics include but are not limited to integers, fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, expressions, equations, inequalities, square roots and their operations, functions, slope, polynomials, systems of equations, and an introduction to quadratic equations. Students will explore real-world applications of algebraic concepts, use multiple strategies to solve problems, and build confidence in their mathematical reasoning. The course emphasizes hands-on practice, collaborative learning, and test preparation, such as the CLT, for either SUFS purposes or the PERT for those seeking Dual Enrollment. If your child has gaps in their knowledge, wants to step up to harder math classes, or simply wants to review and prep for the PERT exam, this course is for you.

Classes will be scheduled according to participant availability. Classes will run once a week for approximately 30 weeks. Holiday closures will be announced in advance and will not be charged.  The cost of each class session is $25 per class, payable by the month in advance. If two families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $18 per class with a maximum of 4 participants. If three families/siblings sign up for the same time, classes will be reduced to $15 per class.   There are no refunds for missed classes; however, missed materials will be available. Most lab materials are household items, but families will have to purchase some items (strawberries, mushrooms, eggs, dissections specimen).  A microscope and slides will be provided for in-person classes. Online students will have to purchase these on their own. 

This class assumes strong pre-algebra skills and is appropriate for 8th - 12th grade.

To ask additional questions or register for the class, please email: shelby@learningpad.io