Our Philosophy
It's your homeschool, but using my resources!
Do you want another option for education for your middle and high school aged young people that includes independent studies, mentoring, creative pursuits, volunteer opportunities, social interactions, peer leadership, and entrepreneurial exposure? These are at the heart of the Creative Learning Center!
For the 2023-24 calendar year, the CLC will offer middle and high school aged students a 2- or 3-day option Monday through Wednesday with a Deep Dive add-on option for mature high school students Thursday and.or Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day. This year we begin our elementary program on Thursday and Friday during the same time period. The older group starts the last week of August and ends the week before Memorial Day, and the younger group starts the week of Labor Day and ends the week after Memorial Day. We have a two-week holiday break, a one-week winter break and a one-week spring break. We also offer a four-day long teen trip at the end of the year (for 13 years and older).
I utilize a developmentalist approach to education based on sound brain research and how each stage learns. Every week, attendees will
pursue independent studies specifically created for them
explore creative pursuits from music to art to building (the skies the limit)
learn from an outside mentor entrepreneurs who will share his/her passion in various fields of interest
develop skills to share their interests and knowledge with their peers
impact their communities and world through volunteer opportunities
nurture their connection to the outdoors and animals
strengthen their emotional and social skills from direct mentoring
As parent collaborators, you will receive a daily journal entry about your young person’s experiences at the Creative Learning Center every week. I always welcome insights and feedback from you to foster the best outcome in nurturing each attendee to find their purpose and passion in life.
I look forward to collaborating with you,
Cindy Gaddis, Owner
Testimonials
We are on our eighth year here at the Creative Learning Center of Lexington, LLC, and we have grown year by year until we are currently at capacity. We were even able to stay open during the pandemic by shifting our meeting place to the loft in the barn while continuing to focus on being outdoors as a core foundation. For the 2023-24 year, we have a new barn building to meet in!
We had our first graduate from the CLC by a young person who stayed through all of her high school years with me in 2022. Even though she was taking community college classes, she didn’t want to miss out on what the CLC offers socially and through mentorship. We had our second graduate from the CLC in 2023 after attending three non-consecutive years here. And our third graduate in 2024 was a young man who was at the CLC from the beginning in 2017! We have had young people enter back into high school, middle school, and community college successfully from the CLC. I now have just one OG who has been with me from the start. Thus, this can be something that is done for a season, or for the rest of their schooling time. It works either way!
Here's what the attendees and parents have to say:
“I’d been to many co-ops before I came here, but none of them can compare to the CLC. The CLC is different. You can learn exactly what you want, and in a way you understand.”
“Is there only two months left at the CLC before summer? Noooo! It went so fast. I don’t want it to end!”
“You are probably the best thing that has happened for (our child).”
“Before attending the CLC, she was quiet and sat back and watched; now she is outgoing and speaks up.”
“I wish I could come to the CLC every day!”
“Would it sound weird if I said I wanted to stay at the CLC all the way through high school?”
“I just want to reiterate how amazing you are and how grateful I am for everything you do for my girl. You da bomb!”
“I like the CLC better than public school.”
“Just wanted to say thanks again for getting me my life back.”
“I have grown in confidence because of (the CLC).”
“I love reading your journals. Thanks for all you do with and for us all!”
“You are the only person who has ever shown they care about our child besides us.”
“As I told you before we started, I thought you were an answer to a prayer. There is no doubt in my mind now. I am deeply grateful for you.”
“I am the person I am today because of (the CLC).”
“This is the first (school) where I can’t wait to come each day!”