Branches is designed to serve families with children all the way from newborns through twelfth grade. We meet in two buildings about a mile apart, but operate as one program. Our secondary building is geared specifically for middle school and high school students (6th-12th grade). Parents can volunteer in either or both buildings, or drop off.
Please note that Grace is worldview neutral. Students and teachers may discuss worldview issues as a matter of academic interest but teachers’ views will not be taught with authority during our programs.
Our Schedule, Dates and Location
Our Fall 2024 schedule can be viewed by clicking here.
For our program guide with class descriptions, click here.
Branches is located in Spencerport, just west of Rochester, NY.
We meet on Thursdays from 9 to 2:35 with half day options available. Our program dates can be found here.
Curriculum
Most of our families take an eclectic approach to curriculum and we do too, in the sense that we do not dictate what curriculum you use at home. Most of our families use our science courses and writing courses as complete subjects and use our art, gym and electives courses as part of additional classes and activities. For example, taking art classes at Extra, Branches and doing independent projects could be counted as one credit. Similarly our physical education classes can be a component of a larger physical education program.
Our schedule includes Art, Science, Physical Education, Writing and electives. For our program guide, click here.
Dual Enrollment for College Credit
We are proud to be able to offer college credit through our partnership with Monroe Community College and Roberts Wesleyan College. For more information about dual enrollment, click here.
Science
We rotate subjects every 3 years so that students are guaranteed to cover all subjects during their time at Grace. Classes meet once a week during our program for labs and homework includes reading, homework problems, and lab write ups. Attending class and completing homework is sufficient for a high school credit and we offer dual enrollment for college credit when possible. Students are expected to complete the homework weekly.
- Biology (2024-2025)
- High School Text: Biology by Glencoe Science (1st edition) or Exploring Creation by Apologia (parents’ choice)
- Middle School Text: Glencoe Life iScience, Grade 7, Student Edition (LIFE SCIENCE) Hardcover – January 1, 2011
- Chemistry (2025-26)
- High School Text: Chemistry, Matter and Change by Glencoe Science (about $15 used on Amazon)
- Middle School Text: Middle School Chemistry by the American Chemical Society (free)
- Physical Science (2026-2027)
- PHYS 1010: Intro to Physics (College credit through Dual Enrollment in partnership with Roberts Wesleyan University). College Physics: A Strategic Approach, 3rd Edition. Used copies start at $8.
- High School Text for non dual enrollment students: Physical Science by Glencoe Science. Used copies start at $6.
- Middle School Text for 6th-8th grade: We will use acceptable use print-outs provided in class for readings and lab/activity handouts distributed each class. An interactive version, albeit with ads and difficult formatting/links, of the readings can be found under the Physics Tutorial of www.physicsclassroom.com.
Our Science Program is taught or overseen (depending on grade level) by Dr. Jason Wallace who earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester and taught as a chemistry professor at D’Youville College for 12 years.
Writing
Our writing classes include instruction on a variety of topics ranging from basic composition to creative writing to research and analysis. Students engage in peer review and receive feedback from instructors on their writing assignments. Students are expected to complete writing assignments weekly. We’ve found that our writing courses are typically more rigorous than the public school system and can be used as a full credit for high school.
We also offer dual enrollment writing classes for college credit.
- 2023-2024 ENG 105 Intro to Literature/Writing 10-12 with Laura Ricklefs. For required course materials click here.
- 2024-2025 English Composition (Writing 10-12/ENG 101) with Laura Ricklefs. Required text: The Norton Field Guide to Writing, with Readings.
Our writing curriculum is taught or overseen by Laura Ricklefs who is a NYS certified English Language Arts teacher. She has her BA in English and Secondary Education from SUNY Geneseo as well as her Masters in Literacy Education from St. John Fisher College. Prior to homeschooling her own 3 children, she taught Middle School and High School English for several years.
Since leaving the traditional classroom, she has tutored students in writing from grades 6 all the way up to college level both online and in person, scored SAT written responses, created a writing curriculum for traditional classrooms, and developed Grace’s secondary level writing curriculum.
Art
Art classes will include a wide range of projects, but there is typically no homework so for a full credit we recommend supplementing with classes at Grace Extra or other community or home based classes.
Physical Education
Students enjoy physical activities with their peers including active games and sports. Similar to art, PE is only once a week for 50 minutes so we recommend supplementing with other activities for a full credit.
Electives
We typically offer electives during one period during our secondary program. See our schedule and class descriptions for current electives.
Homework
Homework is expected to be completed in science, writing and some electives. Art and PE typically do not have homework.
Drop Off or Volunteer
Parents are welcome to either volunteer at Branches during the time their children are in the program or drop off their 6th through 12th grade student for an additional $130 per student per semester fee.
Sign up for a visit
If you’d like to visit, we’d love to show you our program! Just click here to sign up for a visit.
Apply to Join
Interested in joining us? Simply fill out the form below.