Resources for Teenagers

A social activities and events group for teenagers in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas, grades 6-12. Membership is $45 a semester or $90 a year per family. Jacksonville Homeschool Community offers graduations, proms, dances, field trips, workshops and more. 

Contact: jaxahc904@gmail.com 

This group is for art loving tween and teen homeschoolers in the Jacksonville area to connect, collaborate, and create together over the shared interest of growing as artists. We will have regularly scheduled monthly Meet-ups and some months we will host special art outings and art workshops. 

At PEP East  Saint Johns we utilize a classical approach to education within a discipleship model to prepare students for their next step in life, be it college or career. Ultimately, we desire to impact both the mind and heart of each PEP student. By encouraging character development, fostering critical thinking, and inspiring a strong work ethic, we aspire to train a generation of disciples to further the Kingdom of God. Classes are available to middle and high school students.

Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays in Mandarin

Contact: Becky Hollis at pepstjohns@pep1.org

This Facebook group is a branch of the popular Fun Fridays group geared towards teenagers. Join us for “Monday Fundays” as we start the week off with park days, casual hangouts, field trips and other educational outings. This group will serve to connect us locally and in real life, but also as a safe space to ask questions and share homeschool-related news and local events. Your child must be 12 years or older to join. Younger children may join the Fun Fridays group.

At PEP Mandarin we utilize a classical approach to education within a discipleship model to prepare students for their next step in life, be it college or career. Ultimately, we desire to impact both the mind and heart of each PEP student. By encouraging character development, fostering critical thinking, and inspiring a strong work ethic, we aspire to train a generation of disciples to further the Kingdom of God. Classes are available to middle and high school students.

Meets: Tuesdays and Thursdays in Mandarin

Contact: Barbie Towner at pepmandarin@pep1.org

Migrating Marshes  

Ages: 9th-12th grade 

This program takes students through three different rotations in the salt marsh and uplands (forest) ecosystems at the GTM Research Reserve. 

First rotation – Demonstrates how changes in coastal intertidal wetlands are tracked. Students will go out into the field to use quadrats and mirror the scientific monitoring methods used by research staff to measure plant biodiversity. 

Second rotation – Students will learn how drones are used by field technicians for planning and to accurately measure changes in vegetation density.  We will discuss various career opportunities that leverage GIS and drone capabilities. 

Select 3rd Rotation from one of the following:

Hike;  Explore the uplands habitat and learn to identify multiple uses of plants including.  Students will also discuss trail management and conservation efforts  taken by Resource Management personnel. 

Wetland Delineation; There are many different types of wetlands, and these ecosystems are renowned for their ability to improve water quality.  Florida wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, cypress domes, sloughs, seepage slopes and mangrove swamps. Discuss career paths in relation to wetland delineations and participate in a short hike to two stations that compare soil and vegetation in upland and wetland ecosystems.

Salt Marsh Seining

Ages: 6th-12th grade

Saltmarsh seining allows students to emulate water quality experiments conducted by our GTM NERR researchers.  Students will use state-of-the-art water quality and weather parameter collection technology to determine how environmental factors impact biodiversity in the estuary. Topics discussed include dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, water and air temperature.  Students will seine in order to identify and measure organisms found in the estuary. It is strongly recommended that students wear clothing they don’t mind getting wet and/or muddy.

MAKE A RESERVATION:

1. To make a reservation, reach out to our education department at education@gtmnerr.org or call 904-380-8600.
2. Have a selection of requested dates available. Programs are held Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., September through May.
3. Choose a program level from above.
4. Payment: programs are completely free. We ask that you carefully consider the dates you select since there are a limited number of programs offered throughout the academic year. Registration is on a first come first serve basis.  
   • To make a donation to the GTM Research Reserve, please click HERE. 

1. The GTM education team will follow up with you to confirm your attendance prior to your program.
2. If you have any questions, please contact us at education@gtmnerr.org or 904-380-8627.

If you are unable to attend a program, we ask that you cancel at least 10 days in advance so another group will be able to enjoy the experience.

We’re so excited to announce the opening of the Freedom Academy Homeschool Co-Op (FAHC)! Our high school group will start in September 2023, followed by the younger group in January 2024.

Located at Freedom Christian Fellowship on Loretto Road, we are convenient for all areas of Mandarin, the Southside of Jax and St. Johns. Courses include some cores and some electives. We offer Christian homeschool co-op for your student(s) in grades 9-12. 

Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays

Contact: email Becky at becky.fahc@gmail.com or office@freedomjax.org for information on the younger group.

High School Students interested in Architecture/Interior Design, Construction, Engineering or the Trades Fields 

Registration is now open for ACE Mentoring! This award-winning program is open to 9-12 grade students interested in learning more about pursuing a career in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering industry or Trades Fields. Students will meet weekly to work on a hands on project and hear from mentors about career opportunities.

At these weekly meetings we have guest speakers from the architectural/design fields, engineering fields and construction fields. They talk about the education/skills needed to do their job and relate how their industry relates to the project, as well as approximately entry pay in their field. Students also work on their projects as a team during the meetings. 

Students are given an RFP (Request For Proposal) to design a building or other space. In the past ACE students have designed an urban park, a hotel, a restaurant, a library, a college gym, a café, a bridge, a traffic/highway/interchange solution, an Olympic Stadium, a Shoreline Design, and The Jacksonville Landing site among many others. 

 Students will have the opportunity to attend a field trip day (usually in March) and typically visit an architectural firm, engineering firm and construction firm/construction site. At the end of the year all of the ACE teams meet together to present their projects, then enjoy a nice catered lunch at the awards ceremony. 

In recent years, ACE students have had access to participate in a local college campus tour, Technology Bootcamp, Trades Day, Field Trip, and the ability to earn scholarship opportunities.

Program Information:

ACE Homeschool Team Details:
Meets: weekly meetings on Thursdays (start date TBD; usually mid to late November)
Time:  4pm - 6pm 
Location: Conference Room on the first floor of RS&H, 10748 Deerwood Park Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32256
Cost: Free

End of Year Project Presentations & Awards/Scholarship Ceremony: Date TBD; usually late April

In addition to the homeschool team location, ACE is offered at several schools (www.acementor.org/northeast-fl for specific locations this year). You could attend any school if more convenient.

To sign your student up today or learn more about ACE of NEFL visit www.acementor.org/northeast-fl 

Keys Resource Center is a full program overseen by certified teachers in all 4 core subject areas plus some electives/extracurriculars for 6th - 12th graders.

Program Information

Location: 8669 Baypine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Time: 8:30-3:30, Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays

Price: $8000 Tuition split over 10 months

REGISTER ONLINE

For more information, call (904) 334-8164 or email Melody@KeysERC.org 

Colossal Academy at Jacksonville is a private, project based micro, middle and high school in Jax Beach. Learning is personalized and students learn core curriculum as well as  entrepreneurship, internships, and life skills. 

Star of the Sea Strategies provides life skill coaching support through conservative, values-based strategy, skills, and solutions to help you aspire your dreams, advocate for self/family and freedom, while staying anchored in faith for an inspired, integrated life. We accomplish results through group/private wholeness masterclasses, group/private coaching, as well as referrals and resources. 

• We help female students of all abilities ages 16 and up navigate the transitional years of high school. 
• We also help Moms/Families of children with unique abilities and rare diseases design the life they desire through their dreams, goals and actions.
  

Program Information

Location:   Online and/or in person at: Into the Looking Glasses, 1846 Town Center Blvd Suite 100, Fleming Island, FL 32003Time:: Classes will be on Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm, every other week from September 2024 to June 2025.
We are a Step Up for Students direct pay provider. 

Register at www.staroftheseastrategies.com or register in the Step Up for Students EMA Marketplace as a direct pay provider. 

Spring River High School

Curate your own high school experience with Spring River's new program for students in the 9th through 11th grade! Spring River is offering both full time and part time offerings in all subject areas needed to fulfill the hours needed for homeschool high school credit hours. Join us for morning academics or afternoon electives. Or both! English and Math bundles are on Mon-Wednesdays and Science and History bundles are on Thursday and Fridays. Single elective class options are available in the afternoons. We are offering electives such as Fine Arts, Latin, Culinary Arts, Conscious Movement for PE, Photography and Music Appreciation. All classes are taught by experienced teachers with expertise in their field of teaching. Classes will be held indoors at Atlantic Theaters in Atlantic Beach, Florida. Our Community supported offerings are inspired by Waldorf pedagogies where great compassion and care for the growing teenager is emphasized.

Prices range from $380 a year for a one hour per week elective course to $11,500 for the full High School offering. For more information go to: https://www.springriverschool.org/highschool

Email: hsadmin@springriverschool.org for more information or give us a text or call 904.434.3187.