Illinois Local Homeschooling Resources

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Illinois Homeschooling Resource Pages

Illinois Homeschooling
Helpful Information, Links & Tips for Homeschoolers in Illinois

Time4Learning Parent Discussion Forum - Illinois
Discussions and Resources for Illinois Homeschoolers

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Illinois Homeschool Legal Requirements

Homeschool Legal Advantage (HLA)
HLA is an outreach of the Christian Law Association. The CLA has faithfully served churches and families since 1969, and has successfully defended over 8,000 educational freedom related cases. Today, the Homeschool Legal Advantage team includes a large group of full-time attorneys and an additional 200+ affiliated attorneys throughout the United States. HLA stands ready to educate and empower Homeschoolers so that they can respond kindly and confidently to local officials when homeschooling questions arise. And, when direct attorney involvement or even legal representation is required to defend your right to homeschool, as a member of Homeschool Legal Advantage, you can rest assured that assistance from one of our experienced attorneys is only a phone call away! For more information, please visit http://www.HomeschoolLegalAdvantage.com

Illinois Homeschooling Laws
From HOUSE (Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience)

Summary Outline of Illinois School Laws that Pertain to Private Homeschools
Section 26-1 of the Illinois School Code

Illinois Home-Schooling
From the Illinois State Board of Education. Includes PDF files on Questions you may have about Illinois Home-Schooling and ISBE Home Schooling Registration Forms.

Popcorn & Peanuts
ALL the Illinois Home Education Laws in One Place

Illinois Homeschool Freedom Watch
This list exists to network ALL homeschoolers interested in Illinois homeschool laws, homeschooling legal issues, court cases involving homeschoolers and homeschooling legislative issues in Illinois, regardless of any group affiliation. All homeschoolers are welcome to join, regardless of homeschooling educational philosophy or religious affiliation. Members are encouraged to share experiences, wisdom and questions about legally homeschooling in Illinois.

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Illinois and Regional Homeschool Conferences and Conventions

Peoria
Association of Peoria Area Christian Home Educators 21st Annual Convention
March 26, 2010 - March 27, 2010
The 21st Annual Heart of Illinois Convention of Christian Home Educators will be held on March 26-27, 2010 at the Peoria Civic Center. Phil Downer is the keynote speaker.

Cincinnati
2010 MidWest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati
April 8, 2010 - April 10, 2010
The HOMESCHOOL EVENT of the YEAR! Outstanding Speaker Roster includes Dr. Susan Wise Bauer, Jessie Wise, Doug Phillips, Cathy Duffy, Andrew Pudewa, Catherine Levinson, Douglas & Nancy Wilson, Jim Weiss, Amanda Bennett, Attorney David Gibbs and more! 220+ Seminar & Workshop sessions including a WORLDVIEW Teen Track led by John Stonestreet & Dr. Jeff Myers. HUGE Exhibit Hall with 200+ Exhibitors. Optional Childrens Program. Extremely affordable! Homeschoolers attend from 20+ states! For more information, please visit http://www.CincinnatiHomeschoolConvention.com

Naperville
2010 ICHE Annual Convention
June 3, 2010 - June 5, 2010
You're invited to the largest Christian homeschool convention in Illinois! Be empowered and encouraged by our 4 visionary keynote speakers, visit our expanded exhibit hall, and glean from over 100 workshops! Calvary Church Naperville,IL.

Naperville
2010 Illinois Christian Home Educators State Convention
June 3, 2010 - June 5, 2010
Calvary Church in Naperville,IL.

Chicago
Chicago Homeschool Expo 2010
August 5, 2010 - August 7, 2010
The Homeschool Expo is a “don’t miss” whole family two day event with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of products where parents can review and purchase the latest curriculum, hear great speakers who give practical encouragement, and receive personalized help and answers to any question. Workshops emphasize the practical aspects of working with children in ways that will promote their educational, social and emotional growth. Keynote Speakers:Susan Wise Bauer and Todd Wilson Schaumburg Convention Center

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Other Illinois Homeschooling Events

Elgin
Secret Keeper Girl
March 18, 2010
This is a mother daughter event (8-12years old) that teaches the importance of modesty and self worth in Christ by using praise and worship, biblical teachings, 2 fashion shows, games and skits. It is a 2 hour show with an intermission. Hemmens Cultural Center. Sponsored by First Baptist Elgin

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Illinois Homeschooling Classes

Barrington, Lake Zurich, Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Dundee
Fun with Phonics
Teaching children to become excellent readers while having fun! A unique phonics reading program specifically designed for your pre-k or school-age child. Children learn to read by singing while learning their sounds of the alphabet, hopping on letters to form words, painting words and forming words out of play-doh. This program enables your child to learn his or her sounds as well as recognize and become familiar with short vowel word families. Level 2 students will be learning blends and long vowels. They will play board games, build better writing skills in a creative way, and increase their fluency. There is no greater gift you can give your child than the gift of learning to read. Email Miss Betty at readingbooks52@comcast.net for more information or to register for classes.

Chicago, Aurora, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kenosha (WI),Lake, McHenry, Oak Park and Rockford Metro areas.
Christian Youth Theater - Chicago
Christian Youth Theater (CYT) is an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 4 - 18. CYT is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization funded primarily through its tuition, ticket sales and outside contributions. Every session (fall, winter and spring) CYT offers theater arts classes for children as an after-school activity. Each local program conducts three ten-week sessions throughout the school year, teaching drama, voice, dance and a broad spectrum of specialty theatrical workshops at weekly two-hour classes. Enrolled students have the opportunity to work behind the scenes, or audition and perform on stage in a Broadway-style musical performed for the community.

Elgin
Creative Growth Center - Equine Assisted Psychotherapy - Horse Self Esteem Group for girls ages 9-12
A fun and supportive Self Esteem group for girls ages 9-12 involving horses! This is a great after school support group for young girls ages 11-17, that focuses on building SELF ESTEEM, SELF IMAGE, and CONFIDENCE. All of our instructors are certified and have extensive experience in the field of Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning. They impart thier knowledge in a safe, constructive but fun environment.

Elgin, St. Charles, Algonquin,
Christian Workshops of the Fox Valley - Homeschool Co-op
If you are looking for enrichment classes to add to your homeschool, CWF may be what you are looking for. Christian Workshops of the Fox Valley is a co-op of families that meet on Mondays at Grace Evangelical Church in Elgin. A wide variety of classes are offered for nursery age through high school. Reasonable tuition makes CWF an affordable co-op choice. CWF is currently interviewing interested families to fill slots in their upcoming semester schedule. For more information contact Susan Russell at rruss6868@comcast.net.

Mt. Prospect
CHAMPs
September 8, 2008 - May 18, 2009
Christian Homeschool Arts & Music Programs

North Aurora
Gina's Studio
Previously homeschooled herself, Gina is a recent art school graduate offering private art lessons from her home in North Aurora. Lessons are structured to fit the needs of each individual student regardless of age or previous art experience. Gina's goal is to help all of her students foster a love for art and ultimately reach a level where they can sit down and draw anything that is placed in front of them whether that is a landscape, still life, portrait, etc.

North Aurora
Masterpiece Art Instruction
Various homeschool art classes and summer camps

St. Charles
Musical Theatre Classes
September 15, 2007 - December 31, 1969
Acting, Singing, Improv, Performances

West Suburban Chicagoland
Double J Riding Club Homeschool Courses
Double J Riding Club, located in Countryside, Illinois (near #294 and #55 intersections), is offering two programs exclusively for homeschoolers. For the months of January - May, we offer 4 weeks/8 hours of riding and learning. Each multi-disciplinary session incorporates a fiction book involving horses for discussion, an art project, scientific discussion of the horse, topics for outside study and research (if desired) and of course, physical education through horse riding at each class. We are offering these two Wednesday classes starting January 6: •Pee Wee Equestrians, ages 6 - 10: 10 am - noon •Junior Equestrians, ages 11 and up: 1 - 3 pm The cost per 8 hour session (included 3 hours of riding), is $200. For complete details, please visit our website at doublejridingclub.com. Additionally, we have other opportunities which may be of interest: 1.Group outings: Designed to meet your groups\' interests and needs. 2.Group and individual horse instruction: Ages 4 and up. 3.Summer and holiday camps.

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Illinois Homeschooling Co-ops

Champaign / Urbana
Christian Homeschool Connection
We have a new co-op family center opening this fall 2008. Infants-12th gade. Inter-denominational group coming together once a week to give our children the opportunities that lend themselves to learning in a group setting.

Chicago, IL
Phenomenal Homeschool
Homeschool Co-op for Special Needs

Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties
Christian Family Educational Co-op
A group of Christian homeschooling families that have joined together in an Educational Co-op to help each other add to the Home School experience. The purpose the Christian Family Educational Co-op (CFEC), is to provide home education families an opportunity to enrich their children's academic curriculum and social experience within the context of a Christian-based, co-operative organization.

Elgin, St. Charles, Algonquin,
Christian Workshops of the Fox Valley - Homeschool Co-op
If you are looking for enrichment classes to add to your homeschool, CWF may be what you are looking for. Christian Workshops of the Fox Valley is a co-op of families that meet on Mondays at Grace Evangelical Church in Elgin. A wide variety of classes are offered for nursery age through high school. Reasonable tuition makes CWF an affordable co-op choice. CWF is currently interviewing interested families to fill slots in their upcoming semester schedule. For more information contact Susan Russell at rruss6868@comcast.net.

Near West Suburbs of Chicago
The Community Co-op for Near West Homeschoolers
New not for profit corporation, offering a once a week day of enrichment classes in a community environment for families.

 

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Job and Volunteer Opportunities for Illinois Homeschool Students

Yorkville
Raging Waves Waterpark
Largest family waterpark in Illinois. Opening Summer 2008
http://www.ragingwaves.com

 

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