The Homeschool Academy in Sandpoint is looking for students to enroll for their winter session from Jan. 4 until April 2.

Melinda Rossman, HSA principal, said the academy is part of the Lake Pend Oreille School District and functions as a supplemental services program for homeschool families in Bonner County.

Families provide the core curriculum, Rossman said, including math, reading and writing.

The HSA provides programming in science, art, music and other subjects based on what students and their families show interest in, and provides socialization for homeschooled students who might otherwise not see many children their own age.

Rossman said she has meetings with families every year to decide what will be on the curriculum.

“They told me what they liked. They told me what they want more of, they tell me what they want less of they tell me what they're interested in helping me support doing in the program,” she said. “So it really is a community-driven school.”

Many of the academy’s classes are outdoors, Rossman said, and several are taught by members of the Kaniksu Land Trust.

On Thursday, students in one classroom were learning how to weave baskets using rehydrated pine needles.

In another class, which has already been filled, Rossman and other teachers will be taking students for lessons at Schweitzer Mountain.

Because the school provides classes based on its participants’ interests, children tend to be self-motivated, Rossman said.

“Our only real requirement here is that you give 100% participation,” Rossman said. “We don't grade, you show us that you're engaged and you're participating and producing.”

Although Rossman said she had to cut the number of students attending by about 30% to allow for social distancing, some winter spots have opened up because families who live farther away have decided to stay at home during the winter months.

Currently, the academy uses a socially distanced cohort system for the children in attendance, she said. Teachers wear face coverings, but children do not.

“We've gone for 13 weeks [with] healthy families,” Rossman said. “Parents are more vigilant than ever.”

Students can come anywhere from one day a week to three, she said. Students cannot attend five days a week because the academy is not designated as a full-time school.

Over the winter session, there will be class openings in several programs Monday and Wednesday.

Mondays, there is a “young builders” class where students learn carpentry skills and build scale models of specific structures. There will also be a geology and geography class on Mondays, Rossman said.

On Wednesdays, there will be openings in classes for winter science and botany, a music instrument and methodology class and “math language tutoring.”

“I call it math language because I think if you understand the language, the math comes a lot easier,” Rossman said.

Families interested in enrolling their children in the winter classes can visit hsa.lposd.org or email Melinda Rossman at melinda.rossman@lposd.org.