We are a Charlotte - Mason inspired drop off learning group. We provide a rich environment in a locked, secure facility in Elmore, AL. Our tuition supports our teacher's passions for their students while supporting their choice to nourish the minds of the next generation. The Kilns Collaborative is an insured non-profit entity.
Living Books
At The Kilns Collaborative, we embrace the Charlotte Mason method by prioritizing living books. We select challenging, richly detailed texts that demand engagement. Our students don't just read; they narrate, discuss, and explore. Students are challenged by studying works such as Shakespeare and Plutarch’s Lives.
The Collaborative Environment
We foster a space where students engage with challenging texts and explore together, supported by a community of like-minded teachers who are homeschool parents, grandparents, and retired teachers. We strive for a standard of excellence and attentiveness. We are phone free environment. Older students are permitted to have communication devices, but they must not be used during class. We encourage our students to dress in a way that is conducive to learning. We are a participatory learning community. All students are expected to engage actively in all classes. Participation is vital to personal growth and contributes significantly to the success of our group.
Literature Exploration
Students dive into challenging literature, analyzing themes and characters through guided discussion and personal narration. We have found that books have a lasting impact when observed in this way.
Narration
We encourage students to articulate their thoughts and observations, fostering a rich environment for intellectual growth. See our "resources" page for more about using narration for learning.
Parent Support
Our collaborative model provides classes that are much richer when studied with friends. We provide a supportive network for parents to navigate the educational journey.
We offer drop-off learning from ages 5-18
Kindling: Kindergarten - 1st Grade
Our kindling class is a beautiful introduction to Charlotte Mason learning. These precious students work on "telling back" stories, create beautiful art, work on fine motor skills through play, and take delightful nature walks. They practice their "sittting still" skills briefly during read aloud stories, but are also given plenty of freedom to wiggle. This class does neccesitate independent potty trips, but does not have an reading level requirements. Letter recognition is a practice appropriate for this age level. minimal books & supplies needed for this class.
Sparks: 1st - 3rd grade
This class focuses on enrichment appropriate for natural exploration & curiosity typical at this age. The Sparks will read beautiful literature, work on recitations, create fun artwork, practice their letter configuration in print & cursive. Narrations will be done orally and in class to prepare them for the Ember written narration requirement in coming years. minimal books & supplies needed for this class
Embers: 4th-5th grade
Minimum 4th grade reading proficiency is required for participation. Light at-home reading will be assigned to support our in-class work. In this class, students practice the art of independent narration (retelling what they have read in their own words to deepen understanding). Their nature study is elevated through rich living books, guided observation, and thoughtful classroom activities that invite wonder and careful attention.
Ignite: 6th - 7th grade
Minimum 6th grade reading proficiency is required for participation. Students should be ready for more complex texts and thoughtful discussion. Light at-home reading and written work will be assigned to prepare for class. In this group, students continue to grow in oral and written narration, learning to organize their thoughts clearly and respond to ideas. Nature study and humanities are woven together through living books, guided conversations, and meaningful classroom activities.
Flames: 8th - 9th grade
This class supports multiple days of at home preparation in their reading, narrations, and essays. A rich learning environment is supported, while most of the readings and effort will be conducted at home. Students' independence is encouraged and fostered in this class. We belive that 9th graders need one more year before sitting in a class with high school seniors. Flames will be introduced in the 2026 -2027 school year.
Blaze: 10th - 12th grade
Our high school program is where the educational fire is really encouraged to blaze. Students will have multiple projects and reading assignments throughout the semester. Each class will have items to be turned in each week. We still select and encourage reading through living books at this level, however some textbook type materials are introduced (like apologia or BJU for science). The literature at this level is full and rich. The conversations these students have need be mature, poised, and relevent to the literature. This level requires parent support to assign grades. Teachers do not assign grades, but provide suggestions and work to parents.
TUITION AND FEES
$75 family annual registration fee is applied towards total tuition.
Kindling: K-1st grade..................$500
Sparks: 1st - 3rd grade................$500
Embers: 4th - 5th grade..............$750
Ignite: 6th - 7th grade.................$750
Flames: 8th - 9th grade............$1,000
Blaze: 10th - 12th grade...........$1,200