Testimonials and Graduates

 

Testimonials

It all started when…

Cindy was finishing homeschooling her seven children over 25 years, and it was time to bring her dream to life by continuing her passion helping young people be able to homeschool. In 2017, the Creative Learning Center began in a 1927 farmhouse with four middle school attendees finishing the year with seven mixed ages. For the next two years, the CLC grew to fourteen attending when COVID hit. We then moved to the barn loft to stay open, where we purposefully lowered our numbers to just middle-high school ages and eight attendees. We stayed in our loft and steadily grew back to fourteen attending. In 2023, the CLC built our own building where we have been ever since, with a full roster of sixteen middle-high school attendees, up to fourteen elementary age attendees, and moving into our preschool program in 2026.

Here's what the attendees and parents have had to say over the years:

“I’d been to many co-ops before I came here, but none of them can compare to the CLC. The CLC is different. You can learn exactly what you want, and in a way you understand.”
— — A graduating attendee in his graduation speech
“You are probably the best thing that has happened for (our child).”
— — Parent of elementary attendee (previously in public school)
“Is there only two months left at the CLC before summer? Noooo! It went so fast. I don’t want it to end!”
— — A high school full-time attendee (previously in public school)
“Before attending the CLC, she was quiet and sat back and watched; now she is outgoing and speaks up..”
— — A public high school brother about his middle school sister attendee (previously in public scho
“I wish I could come to the CLC every day!”
— — A middle school part-time attendee (previously in public school)
“Would it sound weird if I said I wanted to stay at the CLC all the way through high school?”
— — A middle school attendee in his first year at the CLC (previously in public school)
“I just want to reiterate how amazing you are and how grateful I am for everything you do for my girl. You da bomb!”
— — Parent of middle school attendee (previously in public school)
“Just wanted to say thanks again for getting me my life back.”
— — A middle school attendee (always homeschooled)
“I like the CLC better than public school.”
— — A highly social middle school attendee
“As I told you before we started, I thought you were an answer to a prayer. There is no doubt in my mind now. I am deeply grateful for you.”
— — Parent of a middle school attendee (previously in public school)
“I have grown in confidence because of (the CLC)..”
— — a high school attendee during an attendee-initiated share circle
“I love reading your journals. Thanks for all you do with and for us all!”
— — Homeschooling parent of two middle school attendees
“You are the only person who has ever shown they care about our child besides us..”
— — Parent of elementary attendee (previously in public school)
“This is the first (school) where I can’t wait to come each day!”
— — A middle school attendee said near the end of the calendar year
“I am the person I am today because of (the CLC).”
— — A high school attendee during an attendee-initiated share circle
“I love YOU and your vision for the CLC. You’ve created something truly magical and beautiful!”
— A CLC Junior Program parent with two gifted elementary-aged attendees about the program

Graduates!

We have had one attendee graduate from the CLC each year starting in the summer of 2022. It’s wonderful to get all the attention and celebration one deserves. In the summer of 2027, we are anticipating our first multiple graduates!

Over the years, we have had young people enter back into high school, middle school, and elementary successfully from the CLC, as well as transition smoothly into jobs, the military, and community college. I now have just one OG who has been with me from the start. Thus, this can be something that is done for a season, or for the rest of their schooling time. It works either way!

Savannah

Summer, 2022. Savannah was our very first graduate from the CLC who started her high school years with the CLC in 2018. Even though she was taking community college classes, she didn’t want to miss out on what the CLC offers socially and through mentorship so stayed through her senior year. Savannah took her senior pictures with our CLC horse, Gypsy. She was known to love horse riding and training , was fiercely independent, and enjoyed connecting with people.

Brailyn

Summer, 2023. Brailyn was our second graduate. She was the first person to sign up to attend the CLC when it opened in 2017 as a middle schooler! She came back again in her sophomore (2020-21) and senior years to be a non-consecutive graduate. While attending, Brailyn was known for her talent in art, her athletic ability in basketball, and her ability to make friends easily.

Matthew

Summer, 2024. Matthew was our third graduate. He was our first boy to ever attend the CLC and started from the very beginning in 2017 continuing through consecutively to his graduation day. That means he attended the CLC for seven years! Matthew was known for his ability to climb any tree, being an airsoft aficionado, and his strong leadership qualities.

Carter

Summer, 2025. Carter was our fourth graduate. He started at the CLC during COVID as a middle-schooler (2020-21) up in the barn loft where he quickly fell in love with the CLC and formed a tight friend group he will always cherish. Painting on walls, breeze flowing through, and huddling around heaters will always be remembered in that three-year period in the barn loft. Carter stayed a total of five years, flowing into our new CLC building, until graduating early so he could go to community college full time. Carter was known for always being hungry, having deep conversations, and being a strong leader.