Our Journey with Glenbrook Christian Academy: A Charlotte Mason Learning Pod

 

Our "real homeschool" series features local homeschoolers describing their routines. In this write-up, we hear from HEART member Joanna who started her own homeschool pod. This post is also part of our "local" series since her pod is available for local homeschoolers to join (as of Feb 2025). If you would like to find out more, please email GlenbrookChristianAcademy@gmail.com.

My name is Joanna, and I live in San Mateo with my family. Like many homeschooling parents, I wanted more than just academics for my child—I longed for a rich, relational education that would nurture their spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth. As I explored homeschooling options, I found co-ops and group learning opportunities, but I desired something more consistent, personal, and Christ-centered—a place where children could learn deeply, develop strong friendships, and grow in faith. That’s how Glenbrook Christian Academy was born—a small, Charlotte Mason-inspired learning pod that meets in my home, providing a nurturing, structured, and spiritually grounded education to 1st through 4th graders.

Why We Started a Pod

Our pod originally began during COVID, when I hired a teacher to work one-on-one with my daughter. 

The idea of a learning pod appealed to me because I wanted my child to regularly interact with the same group of families, rather than bouncing between different settings. Weekly co-ops were an option, but many felt too large or lacked the consistency I hoped for. Charlotte Mason’s approach, which emphasizes habit formation, relational learning, and living books, resonated with me deeply.

Charlotte Mason’s philosophy shares many foundational principles with Classical Christian Education (CCE), particularly in its commitment to great books, deep thinking, and biblical truth. Both approaches reject modern, progressive education in favor of a time-tested model that cultivates wisdom, virtue, and a love for learning.  However, Charlotte Mason’s method is distinct from traditional classical education in several ways. While classical models often emphasize rote memorization, Latin, and Socratic dialogue, Charlotte Mason focuses on narration (students retelling what they’ve learned), short and varied lessons, nature study, and habit formation. Her approach is considered to be more gentle and more relational, encouraging children to engage deeply with knowledge through real-life experiences and living books rather than formal recitation.  At Glenbrook Christian Academy, we blend the rich intellectual traditions of classical learning with the relational, discovery-based methods of Charlotte Mason, creating an education that is both rigorous and full of wonder. 

As I connected with other homeschooling families through Facebook groups, I noticed many were looking for a similar educational experience. I invited them to visit our setup, and what started as a small idea gradually grew into a thriving community of like-minded families.  

Finding the Right Teacher

One of the key factors in making our pod work was finding the right teacher. After searching through countless job websites—such as Craigslist, ChristianJobs.com, and Indeed— we were blessed to find our teacher Peter through mutual connections.  His training includes:

• The Ambleside Schools International Internship, where he gained hands-on experience implementing Charlotte Mason’s methods, focusing on habit formation, narration, and relational learning.
• The Ambleside Summer Institute, an intensive program that deepens educators’ understanding of child development, virtue formation, and wisdom-centered education.

With his deep understanding of Charlotte Mason’s methods and his ability to engage students in thoughtful learning, Peter was the perfect fit for our pod.

Building Community

Building a like-minded community was just as important as finding the right teacher. From the start, we wanted an environment where students could form meaningful relationships while still receiving individualized attention.  Most of our families found us through word of mouth or online groups. 

Our pod is intentionally small, with 6 to 8 students. Rather than grouping students strictly by grade level, our classes are structured like a one-room schoolhouse, where all students engage with the same material but at different levels. This allows for rich discussions, collaborative learning, and individualized challenges that meet each child where they are.  

A Peek Inside Our Days

Our classroom

By hosting our pod in a home setting, the children experience a familiar and comfortable learning environment. Our pod meets from Monday to Thursday from 9:30am to 2:30pm. 

Our mornings begin with:

• Greeting and listening to one another, teaching respect and attentiveness.
• Prayer and heartfelt sharing with Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Some children have already seen answered prayers, like protection from flight sickness!
• A new hymn each week, with regular solfège practice (hand signals and treble clef exercises).

Flower Press Project
The student’s names and their favorite memory verses were added 

Throughout the day, we explore:

• Literature/Poetry: The Pilgrim’s Progress, Beatrix Potter Tales, Eli Whitney, Brambly Hedge, A Children’s Garden of Verses, Nibble Nibble, and more.
• Bible & Hebrew/Greek Word Study: Learning core biblical words to deepen understanding as we engage Old Testament stories, the Gospel of Mark, and memorize passages for recitation.
• Math: Using Singapore Math for computation, fractions, time to the minute, and early geometry and algebra.
• Spelling & Grammar: Analysis of words by syllable, vowel, phonogram, and rule. Diagramming sentences into their grammatical parts.
• Phonics: Reading exercises to enhance an intuitive grasp of phonetic patterns.
• Penmanship: Intro to Spencerian cursive; transcription with print.
• Science & Nature Study: Observing plants, animals, and microscopic life through handheld microscopes, while discussing God’s intricate design and symbiotic relationships. General human anatomy.
• History & Geography: Peeking into culture and history as we learn about prominent figures whose contributions we have the privilege of enjoying. Using the world map to associate folktales/fairytales with their country of origin. An atlas to accompany biblical stories.
• Art & Handicrafts: Drawing with shapes, historical art study and replication, watercolors, wax modeling, origami, sewing.
• Art Appreciation: Utagawa Hiroshige; Van Gogh.
• Music Appreciation: Johann Straus II (the Waltz King); Joseph Haydn (Father of the symphony and String Quartet).
• Gardening: We are cultivating homegrown bonsai, plus a flower and vegetable garden.
• Physical Education: Ball games, playground activities, and outdoor free play.

Art Appreciation Study - Utagawa Hiroshige

Nature Study - Fly Agaric Mushroom

Art Study - Response to Pilgrim's Progress

Redwood Bonsai
Each student chose a sapling, named and cared for it over a semester

One of my favorite moments was watching my daughter’s excitement as we raised caterpillars and released butterflies. From the start, she was captivated, carefully observing their growth, sketching them in her nature journal, and asking thoughtful questions about their transformation. When the butterflies finally emerged, she stood in awe, watching them flutter into the sky. Inspired, she later told me she wanted to plant flowers to help more butterflies thrive. Seeing her curiosity turn into action was a beautiful reminder of why this pod exists—to ignite wonder, nurture discovery, and cultivate a love for God’s creation.

Summer Program

This summer, we are offering a specialized program with focused modules, giving children the opportunity to explore new skills, creativity, and enrichment in a joyful and engaging way. Topics may include cooking, arts and crafts, improv and theater, folk and square dance, and strategy games like Chess and Go. We will also explore poetry, learning short forms like limericks, haikus, and proverbs, as well as folktales and fairy tales. Additionally, we’ll introduce calligraphy, allowing children to develop artistic expression and fine motor skills.

Understanding the Costs

One of the most common questions we receive from prospective families is about the cost of joining our learning pod. We understand that homeschooling is a commitment—not just in time and energy, but also financially—so we strive to keep our pod affordable while ensuring a high-quality educational experience. While costs will vary depending on the number of days a student attends and specific materials needed, we aim to keep our approach reasonable, transparent, and accessible. 

Families are responsible for individual student supplies, which vary from year to year depending on the curriculum and activities planned. Additionally, each family pays the teacher an hourly fee, and we ask for a monthly tuition contribution to cover shared costs such as classroom supplies, teacher training, and other essentials that support the learning environment. These contributions allow us to maintain small class sizes, personalized instruction, and a well-equipped space where children can thrive.

Lessons Learned & Adjustments

While the pod has been a joy, we’ve made adjustments along the way. We’ve found that some of the most meaningful learning happens when we pause and allow for deeper exploration. We’ve also incorporated more outdoor learning, recognizing how nature enhances curiosity and engagement. Additionally, we’ve refined parental involvement, encouraging participation while maintaining a healthy balance between structure and community.

What began as a search for a better learning experience has grown into a thriving, Christ-centered community. Our children are not only learning reading, math, and science—they are also growing in confidence, kindness, and faith. It’s a journey I’m grateful to be on, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store next.

Interested in Joining Glenbrook Christian Academy?

If you’re interested in learning more about Glenbrook Christian Academy or exploring whether our pod might be the right fit for your family, we’d love to hear from you! We offer rolling enrollment throughout the year, so families are encouraged to reach out whenever they’re ready to begin their journey with us. Whether you’re looking for a place to start immediately or considering future enrollment, we’re happy to discuss how our Charlotte Mason-inspired education can support your child’s growth. Feel free to email us at GlenbrookChristianAcademy@gmail.com to ask questions, schedule a visit, or learn more about our program.