Photo by Leanne Christensen
PARADE program classes in the Riverview School District offer additional learning and support for home-schooled students. Students in the program attend classes for one to one and a half days per week.

The Riverview School District PARADE program was created to support families who want to home-educate their children, in collaboration with the school district.

Within this program parents are the primary educators, teaching their child for a minimum of 20 hours each week. Students attend PARADE classes in their RSD building classroom for one to one and a half days a week.

Certificated school teachers provide consultation, resources and weekly classes. Parents have the opportunity to network with each other at regular monthly parents meetings and trainings.

Most PARADE classes are thematically based and incorporate basic academic skills within the theme. Enrichment courses in the areas of art, drama, science, reading clubs, computers, textiles, cooking and many others are offered as well. A National Honor Society chapter is also available for students at the high school level.

Students from kindergarten through grade 12 are included in this program and all classes are multi-age. The typical class size is 15-20 students. As the students move from the primary years through high school, the focus of the program gradually shifts and becomes more certificated teacher directed. This allows the high school students to earn credits and graduate with a Riverview School District Diploma.

An emphasis of the PARADE program is to develop strong, respectful and fun peer relationships for children and strong networking support for families who desire this.

Activities are hands-on, discussion generating, sometimes messy and lots of fun! Field trips relating to the class themes occur at least three times a year. Parent involvement at school is welcomed, but not required.

Parent experience with home-schooling ranges from first-time home-schoolers to those with 10-15 years experience. Teachers work collaboratively with parents to determine the level of support and involvement each family desires. This program has grown steadily over the past several years and now includes 95 students, a true testament to the educational success and enjoyment students, parents and staff receive from their involvement in the PARADE program.

The current PARADE class schedules are as follows:

Monday: Grades K-3rd, high school math
Tuesday: Grades K-8th
Wednesday: Grades 4th – 8th, and high school
Thursday: High school grades
Friday: Additional in-classroom instruction as needed.

On the blackboard at a PARADE class ...

Don’t be afraid to set goals beyond everyday imaginings and see what is possible past the door of the obvious.
Enriching and promising new worlds are out there for those willing to fulfill their dreams.
– Roald Amundsen 1872-1928