Rivers Day Program: Empowering Lifelong Learners

At Village Home, our Rivers Day Program is designed to empower learners to explore their passions, develop self-awareness, set individual and group goals, and foster teamwork and personal growth. Our ultimate aim is to cultivate resilience, personal agency, and a lifelong love for learning.

Self-Directed Learning: Owning Your Education

We believe that learning is a lifelong process that thrives on autonomy and self-direction. Our program demonstrates that learning is inherently enjoyable and occurs every day, in every way—not just in the classroom. We encourage your child to take active responsibility for their education. Instead of focusing on measuring student output, we support the natural drive to learn and inspire kids to learn outside the classroom. Our approach creates learning-in-the-moment experiences that require learners to integrate and think about their learning. Without grades or tests, students engage freely without fear of judgment, focusing purely on learning and thinking. We aim to provide each learner with abundant opportunities to be inspired and to take ownership of their education.

Learning in Community

In the Rivers Day Program, we engage as a group to explore topics of interest and investigate subjects introduced by the facilitator. We welcome learner-initiated topics and strive to incorporate them into the group’s learning plans. Every individual is heard and respected, and everyone learns the art of compromise as we learn together. Our learners feel supported and accepted, and we honor their freedom to make choices and learn according to their unique styles while participating as productive members of a community group. We build a community based on trust and collaboration, where each person is both a learner and a teacher.

Engaging and Individualized Education

We believe that learning is an active, sometimes messy, and highly individual process. No two learners will absorb the same information simultaneously, and we embrace this diversity. Our program offers opportunities for exploration of ideas, content areas, and environments in both group settings and one-on-one. Learning activities are hands-on and active, and learners can take breaks when needed, engaging in activities at their comfort level. Participation is encouraged but not mandatory, as long as it does not disrupt the group. Supporting personal autonomy and freedom in learning is our best motivator. Projects allow for individual expression and the application of learning to real-life experiences.

Key Details:

  • Days: Monday and Wednesday, approximately 33 weeks/year
  • Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (early drop-off and pick-up options available)
  • Ages: 5 – 14 years old, organized into mixed-age cohorts with two or three-year age bands
  • Location: Beaverton Campus, 5150 SW Watson, Beaverton OR 97005
  • View the 2024-2025 Schedule

Join us in the Rivers Day Program and embark on a path of self-discovery, community engagement, and a lifelong passion for learning.

The Rivers Day Program is designed for families seeking a part-time classroom community that provides high-quality educational opportunities while valuing learner autonomy. This program is ideal for children who are academically and socially engaged and inspired to take ownership of their learning.

Families who choose the Rivers Day Program are those who value both academic and social enrichment for their children on a part-time basis. In this program, the family remains the primary educator, with Rivers providing additional support and inspiration. This is not a comprehensive full-time program but a part-time opportunity for learners to engage in a collaborative and enriching educational environment.

Ages: 5 – 14 years old, organized into mixed-age cohorts with two or three-year age bands

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Rivers Day Program. After you complete an application and pay your interview fee of $60, we will reach out to you for an interview with you and your learner. Our application and interview process is designed to determine if our unique program is a good fit for your family. We look forward to meeting you and your learner!

Before you apply:

Contact two adults outside your immediate family who will complete a recommendation form about your child within the next 5 business days. Send each of them the Rivers Day Program Recommendation Form to fill out within five business days. Please note, if you are coming from another learning community or school, we prefer to have a former teacher be one of the recommenders. Have the names and emails of your chosen recommenders ready to include in the application.

1. General information about your learner.

2. Names and emails for your two recommenders.

3. A credit card to pay the $60 non-fundable interview fee (due at time of application). 

An admission decision will typically be sent to you within 10 business days of your interview.

Deposit and Contract: A non-refundable deposit is due with a signed contract within 5 days to hold your spot.

The Rivers Day Program is committed to providing an educational environment free from discrimination and harassment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or any other status protected under applicable federal or state laws. Village Home is sometimes located on church property, but is not programmatically affiliated with any religious organization.

Tuition for 2-Day Rivers, In-Person: $3950/year

Tuition is prorated for mid-year enrollment.

Sibling Discount: 10%

Fees

Interview Fee:  $60, non-refundable

Deposit to reserve your spot: $150 non-refundable (will be applied to total tuition due)

Incidentals: Field Trips and Special Supplies may be billed separately.

Payment Plan Options

  Plan A – $150 non-refundable tuition payment + full payment on August 5, 2024.

  Plan B – $150 non-refundable tuition payment + 3 equal payments on:

  • August 5, 2024
  • December 5, 2024
  • March 5, 2025 

Plan C – $150 non-refundable tuition payment + 9 equal payments on:

  • August 5, 2024
  • October 5, 2024
  • November 5, 2024
  • December 5, 2024
  • January 5, 2025
  • February 5, 2025
  • March 5, 2025
  • April 5, 2025
  • May 5, 2025

Village Home offers eCheck as a payment option, which helps reduce credit card processing fees and keeps our classes affordable. We require all family accounts to have a credit card or bank account on file for automatic payments according to the selected payment plan. Cash payments must be made before the due date to avoid automatic processing.

Important Note:

  • Accounts with an outstanding balance will not be allowed to register for additional terms or other offerings.

Refund Policy

Rivers Day Program:

  • Prorated tuition refund with 30-day cancellation notice.
  • No refund for the $150 deposit fee.

Note: Refunds are not offered for field trips, competitions, and family or community events.

For Rivers, if you join after the academic year has begun, your total amount will be prorated based on the number of days your learner(s) participates. Your payments will then start on the next scheduled payment date, depending on the payment plan you selected.

Financial Aid

Applications will be reviewed starting in July of each year, and on a rolling basis throughout the year if funds are available. The deadline for first consideration is July 15th. Financial Aid is awarded for the entire academic year in per term amounts. Aid is per student, and is not transferable between students and/or terms. Village Home uses the Oregon Expanded Income Guidelines to determine eligibility.  Click here to complete the Financial Aid Application.

 

Important Notice: Registration System Updates and Instructions

We want to inform you about some current issues with our registration system and provide guidance to ensure a smooth experience:

  1. Dropping a Class After Enrolling:

    • To request a drop after enrolling, please select the beginning of the term date as the drop date. We understand this is not intuitive, and apologize for the inconvenience. Please see screenshot included.
  2. Class Visibility During Registration Periods:

    • When Registration is OFF:
      • Families can log in or out to view all current fall classes.
    • When Registration is ON for Staff and Faculty between Tuesday, July 16 & 17 AND for Returning Families between Thursday, July 17 – Sunday, July 21:
      • Families will not be able to search for classes while logged in until their designated registration period.
      • Example: On Tuesday, staff and faculty will see classes when logged in because they have a keyword allowing them to register. However, a returning family will see no classes when logged in until Thursday, when their registration period begins.
      • Note: If families log out, they will still be able to see all classes and use all filters.

This issue will only persist until July 22, when registration opens to everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at office@villagehome.org.