There is no “one size fits all” learning style when it comes to education.
Homeschooling is an increasingly popular option that offers parents and their children flexibility in scheduling, curriculum, and creating one-of-a-kind educational experiences.
Influence Learning Center has served as a trusted resource in the greater Anaheim Hills community since 2022.
“We’re a faith-based, hybrid homeschool ministry, partnering with home-educating families by providing community, core, and elective classes, tutoring, field trips, and events. The heartbeat of our learning center is our amazing family community. We strive for our families to grow deeper in relationship with God and others by providing opportunities to gather and serve others.”
Launched under the leadership of Pastors Phil and Tammy Hotsenpiller, ILC offers in-person classes to homeschool students in grades TK-12.
“Each term, we carefully curate a unique and robust schedule of core and elective classes to supplement your child’s learning experiences. Families are free to choose classes that they believe will enhance their own home-based program and meet the individual needs and learning styles of their own children.”
Influence Learning Center’s class and curriculum offerings are plentiful, making it easy to find a path to success for each student.
“Our classes are offered on an a la carte’ basis, allowing parents to choose which learning level is appropriate for their child, per subject. We offer exceptional core classes (Math, Language Arts, History, and Science) as well as academic electives such as Reading Foundations, Writing Foundations, and Write From The Beginning.”
ILC also offers math and language arts tutoring as well as a robust selection of elective classes such as Art (Comic Book Art, Fine Art, and Under the Sea Art), Chess, Archery, Music, Choir, Theatre, STEM (Robotics, Mad Science, Ancient History with Minecraft), Health & Fitness, Intro to Skateboarding, Spanish, and Crochet.”
Core courses for 9-10th grades include Algebra 1, Biology with Lab, World History, Literature & Composition.
Bible course options include Bible Basics Club for 1st-5th grades and Kingdom Calling for grades 6th-10th grades.
One of the center’s most popular classes is Life Skills Through Collaborative Learning/Leadership.
“This class provides collaborative learning activities for students to learn, practice, and strengthen Christian character and real-life skills. They learn how to be independent problem-solvers, critical thinkers, confident speakers, and Christ-like collaborators.”
Core classes are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and elective classes on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Finally, ILC’s Creative Arts Program (CAP) also offers students in grades 7-12 pre-professional performing and visual arts classes including Graphic Design and Branding, Acting, Advanced Graphic Apparel, Fashion, and more. These classes meet once a week from 3:30-5:00 p.m. to allow students who may attend public or private schools in the area the opportunity to begin building their portfolio of work.
Since 2020, the popularity of homeschooling has continued to rise.
“Some reasons [for the increase in homeschooling families] include relationships and strength of the family unit, community with like-minded families, personal curriculum choice, medical freedom, ability to travel, different philosophies of education, religious convictions, personalized education toward interests of the child, dual enrollment for high school and college classes, community service, life skills education, outdoor exploration during daytime hours, and hands-on learning opportunities.”
The Influence Learning Center team, in addition to the Hotsenpillers, includes Executive Director Kelly Broedlow Dunagan and Campus Director/Academic Director Sheri Pike.
Prior to joining ILC, Kelly worked as a Litigator for 20 years, and Sheri is a homeschool veteran of 22 years, during which time she taught her four children.
Together, they share a passion for collaborating with homeschooling families to help discover and nurture the God-given gifts and talents of each individual child. “We have the absolute privilege of pouring truth, value, and purpose into the lives of our students each and every day. Our students are thriving spiritually, emotionally, and academically as they know God has a special plan and purpose for their lives."
When they need inspiration, they don’t have to look far.
“Our first inspiration is from Proverbs 22:6—'Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ Another inspiration is the concept of freedom! Due to the Covid lockdowns, a greater need for hybrid/home education communities was born. Isolation had a significant impact on the education and mental health of many children. Many parents worked from home while trying to homeschool their children. Face coverings and vaccine mandates had some families concerned about their children returning to a traditional classroom. Many families enjoyed home education, and decided to continue even after children were allowed back in the classroom.”
“Another reason for the rise in homeschooling is due to concern about the current curriculum being taught in CA public schools and rights being stripped from parents. Parents enjoy the freedom that home education offers.”
Looking to the future, the Influence Learning Center team looks forward to continuing to grow and meet the needs of every homeschooling family in their community.
Influence Learning Center
8191 E Kaiser Blvd., Anaheim Hills, Ca. 92807
714 998-8638
https://influencelearningcenter.org/contact/