What is CSCL?
The Center for Semi-Conducted Learning (CSCL) is a school alternative program open to homeschoolers, unschoolers, and other people aged 7 to 13 interested in sharing a fun, creative, and exploratory space with like-minded people. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 3 p.m., with individual classes offered in science, engineering, art, and creative writing four days a week and one day reserved for offsite field trips.
Classes + Workshops
“What we offer” is entirely based on what people ask for — our classes are designed around what people are excited to learn and do. Past topics have included: Intro to algebra, French, Spanish, espionage, a class on constitutional law, and others. If it’s something we can’t teach (for instance, foreign languages), we’ll find someone who is competent to teach the subject.
One-on-One Tutorials
In addition to organized classes and workshops, we also offer optional one-on-one tutorials for kids who want to do specific work in a topic or skill. These could include the basics — math, reading, and writing – or specific tutorials tailored around individual interests – world records research, board game design, chess, etc. Tutorials are offered as an option to anyone who wants them and are a chance for kids to get individual time with staff to go deeper on a particular subject.
Play and Exploration
Beyond that, we leave open plenty of space for kids to pursue activities of their own choosing – whether it’s sitting on the couch reading a book, doing their math homework, working on a story, or organizing giant games of capture the flag. Kids at the CSCL pursue many of their intellectual interests recreationally, and put quite a lot of creative work into organizing their play. Our programs afford them a wide berth to pursue both on any given day, so long as their activities do not interfere with others’ use of the space and ability to accomplish goals.
