Online Classes at Â鶹¾«Æ·: Fall 2023

At the Pearl, we help homeschool parents create a hybrid education structure for their teens. This fall, we are offering 11 unique hybrid-homeschooling classes for teens to attend worldwide! These classes can count towards a United States high school diploma.

Our Classes

Practical Spanish – Online Language Class

Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 10:30am-11:25 am Central

In Practical Spanish, you will expand your listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills through interactive experiences, virtual trips, and self-directed learning projects.Ìý

Â鶹¾«Æ·’s Practical Spanish Class will be taught by Lorena de la Vega Aguirre.

Advanced Spanish – Online Language Class

Monday and Wednesdays from 11:30 am -12:55 US Central

In advanced Spanish classes, students will engage in language production through captivating activities such as crafting their own short stories, creating videos, and enhancing conversational skills. By immersing themselves in Spanish literary works, students will further solidify their language knowledge and grammar. This course mirrors the rigor of a high school level class offered in a Spanish-speaking country, designed to cater to native speakers. Join us as we embark on a language-learning journey that combines creativity, cultural exploration, and linguistic excellence.

Â鶹¾«Æ·’s Practical Spanish Class will be taught by Lorena de la Vega Aguirre.

Beginning Japanese – Online Language Class

Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 10:30am-11:25 am Central

In Beginning Japanese, you will start by mastering hiragana and katakana before delving into kanji (used for writing nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs). Through engaging lessons and practice, you’ll develop the abilities to speak, write, and read Japanese with confidence.

Â鶹¾«Æ·’s Beginning Japanese Class will be taught byÌý Nao Takeda.

Introduction to Computer Science – Online Computer Science Class

Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30 am-12:55 pm Central

Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Computer Science class will be taught by Bassem Sabra, Ph.D.

Biology – Online Natural Science ClassÌý

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 am-12:55 pm Central

You will learn about the different scales of biological life, beginning with the cell. We will take aÌý tour of the cell to learn all about cell organelles and their function, including the nucleus and the DNA molecule. Other interesting class topics can include photosynthesis, genetic variability, meiosis, mitosis, gene regulation and mutations.

Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Biology Class is taught by Shubhada Bhamre, Ph.D.Ìý

Math: Economics, the Environment, and Arts – Online Math Class

Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 pm-2:55 pm Central

In this course you will be free to explore high school level math through everyday problems. Topics will include algebra, geometry and statistics. Algebra will be introduced through economics. Geometry will be explored through design and art. Statistics will be presented via real life problems.

Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Math class is taught by Bassem Sabra, Ph.D.Ìý

Geographic AdventuresÌý – Online Geography Class

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 pm-2:55 pm Central

Embark on a thrilling global expedition with Geographic Adventures, a dynamic high school geography class that will transport you to captivating destinations across the globe. From the vibrant streets of Japan to the ancient pyramids of México, immerse yourself in the rich cultures, politics, music, topography, and history of each region. Engage in stimulating discussions, challenge your map skills, play games, and embark on independent virtual journey, while fostering a lifelong curiosity and passion for the world around us.

Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s ELA class will be taught by our director, Robin Harwick, Ph.D.

Exploring Perspectives: Uncovering the PastÌý– Online Social Studies Class

Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 pm-4:25 pm CentralÌý

In this course, you will develop critical questioning skills through claim testing. You will then dive into the examination of news and events from history, analyzing whose stories are heard, understood, and shared. Through hands-on exploration of primary sources like newspaper articles, photographs, video footage, and audio recordings, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the events while considering multiple perspectives. By comparing and contrasting diverse sources, you will cultivate your research skills and forge a personal connection with the past.

Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Social Science class will be taught by Hande Togrul, Ph.D.

Banned Books – Online English Language Arts Class

Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 pm-4:25 pm Central

Step into a world of literary rebellion with our captivating English Language Arts class – Banned Books. Through readings, lively debates, and meaningful reflections, students will examine the complex issues of censorship, intellectual freedom, and the impact of literature on society. Students will choose at least three banned books to read/listen to during the term.

Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s ELA course is taught by Sara Caldiero, MFA .

Contemporary Visual Arts – Online Art Class

Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 pm-6 pm Central

Join us as we explore visual arts for the 21st century! From digital illustration to graphic design to painting, photography, and sketching; we help you learn the art skills that you want to know. Whether you have dreams of animation or are just looking to explore their creative side we help you pursue art without judgment. WeÌý respect new styles of art brought to us by youth culture and the internet. You will have the opportunity to work on your own art projects in addition to art exercises, assignments, and research activities!Ìý

Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Visual Arts class is facilitated byÌýBrittaney Drake, MA

The Music Room – Online Music Class

Tuesdays and Thursdays fromÌý4:30 pm-6 pm Central

Do you want to learn how to produce your ownÌýmusic?Ìý Are you interestedÌýinÌýgroup conversations aboutÌýtheÌýhistory ofÌýmusic, and its power toÌýchangeÌýtheÌýworld we liveÌýin?Ìý Would you rather learn how to read sheetÌýmusicÌýand play an instrument?Ìý Any or all of those things?Ìý Our onlineÌýmusicÌýclass is designed to meet each student where they are–beginners, experts, singers, songwriters, instrumentalists–and provideÌýaÌýstructure for reaching individual goals withinÌýtheÌýcontext ofÌýaÌýsupportive small community that tackles fun and challenging discussion topics every week.Ìý No audition required!Ìý Come hang outÌýinÌýtheÌýMusicÌýRoomÌýwith us.

Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Music course is taught byÌýBen Tufts, MM

About The Pearl Remote Democratic High School

All of ourÌýteachersÌýare experts in their fields and welcome students with all learning styles and abilities! Teens can take all of our classes, a few, or just one. Because The Pearl is a Democratic High School, our classes follow a self-directed work style where students get control of their education. Additionally, we cap our classes at 10 students, so everyone gets the support they need.

Our curriculum is made up ofÌýhybrid-homeschooling classesÌýfor teens. This means that families who are already homeschoolers can supplement the education they provide with classes from experts to ensure that their child gets the best education they can receive.

We teach our classes online, using Zoom, and they are open worldwide! Students that work directly with The Pearl are eligible to work towards a WASC-Accredited US high school diplomaÌýthrough our partnership programÌýwith . This makes the Pearl an excellent option for students who are marginalized within the mainstream educational system. Additionally, students who attend The Pearl from outside the US are still eligible to receive a US diploma.