Pre-Teen and Teen Programs
For Students Ages 12 to 17
Longmont Little Homeschool Enrichment (LLHSE) offers dynamic, hands-on enrichment programs designed specifically for pre-teen and teen learners. These programs encourage independence, curiosity, and real-world skill development while supporting each student’s individual homeschool journey.
Students may choose to participate in one or multiple programs, allowing families the flexibility to build a schedule that best fits their interests and goals. Our current offerings for older students include Visual Art, Theater and Drama, Poetry and Creative Writing, Biological and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science, Marine Science, each providing immersive, experience-based learning beyond the traditional classroom.
Through outdoor exploration, scientific inquiry, and skill-building experiences, students gain confidence, deepen their interests, and form meaningful connections with peers in a supportive community.
Agricultural Science
Students study the structure and function of living organisms through animal anatomy and physiology, the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems via pasture management and nutrition, animal health, and veterinary basics. Classes align with two complementary areas; investigating the characteristics and structures of living organisms, biological processes, and how living systems interact with their environment; including domesticated and wild animals, plant systems, and students explore career opportunities in Colorado's vast agricultural industry, developing knowledge and skills in animal science, natural resources, and plant science.
Marine Science
Marine Science is delivered through Ocean First Institute, a Colorado-based nonprofit whose in-school programs expand student knowledge in ocean literacy, marine biology, and ocean conservation through interactive, inquiry-based experiments across seven Colorado counties. Designed for learners from 1st grade through high school, each session invites students to think like marine scientists, exploring ocean ecosystems, animal adaptations, and conservation challenges through engaging, standards aligned, hands-on activities. Topics include shark biology, sea turtle conservation, ocean food webs, marine ecosystems, and microplastics research.
Nudibranchs
Video: Mantis Shrimp Game
Poetry and Creative Writing
Students explore poetry, short fiction, personal narrative, and dramatic writing in a warm and encouraging workshop setting. Through reading published works, generative writing exercises, peer sharing, and revision, students develop their own creative voice while building specific skills in imagery, word choice, story structure, character development, and poetic form. Classes welcome all ages and experience levels in a supportive community where every writer is challenged to grow and every story deserves to be told.
Visual Art
Kate believes everyone has the capacity to be creative and that art has no bounds. Students explore a wide range of media and techniques, including drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, sculpture, mixed media, and fiber arts, building both technical skill and creative confidence. Each project invites students to observe closely, make intentional choices, and develop their own artistic voice within a structured and encouraging studio environment. Kate shares her knowledge of art techniques and use of materials while facilitating each student's desire to learn and grow artistically, meeting every child where they are and guiding them toward work that genuinely surprises and delights them.
Theater and Drama
In Drama and Theatre Arts, students explore performance through a playful mix of theatre games, improvisation, voice and movement exercises, and ensemble scene work. Games like Mirrors, Freeze, and Yes And build focus, confidence, and connection, while pantomime, tableau, and character exploration develop expressiveness and creativity. Students are also introduced to the rich tradition of Commedia dell'Arte, using stock characters, masks, and physical comedy to explore one of theatre's most joyful and enduring storytelling forms. Older students progress toward script analysis and rehearsed performance. Darragh creates a warm, encouraging environment where every student, from the shyest to the most expressive, finds their stage.
Biological and Life Sciences
Each class integrates the CAS three-dimensional learning model, engaging students in Science and Engineering Practices such as planning investigations, analyzing data, and constructing explanations across Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth Science standards. Emma Miller does a masterful job planning and orchestrating lessons that span a wide variety of engaging topics. Students will explore such topics as creating biodegradable plastics, crystal formation, life cycles, ecosystems, and dissected owl pellets to investigate food chains and animal anatomy. Throughout all units, students recorded observations, interpreted results, and communicated findings, building the foundational habits of scientific thinking.