Group 2
Learning, Playing, and Exploring Together
Open Connections empowers young people and adults to create the life they want, full of purpose and fulfillment.
- 2 long-term projects exploring topics of youth’s choice: one focused on research and writing and one that explores scientific experimentation and observation
- Service learning projects and community engagement
- Outdoor group games
- Team-building challenges
- Group read-aloud
Basic guidelines for Naturalist, by September, participants are:
We expect a youth joining the Group 2 Program to meet all of the guidelines from the previous programs in addition to those below.
- Be willing to trust facilitators, try new things and reflect from the experience.
- Have a growing self awareness of the impact of their actions and words on peers and facilitators.
- Be willing to balance the needs/wishes of the individual with the needs/wishes of the group.
- Have an understanding of and be willing to engage in reading, writing, basic mathematical operations, fractions, and decimals in real life situations.
- Be able to focus and actively participate in group discussions that range from 15-30 minutes and hands-on/active activities that can last from 45-60 minutes.
A young person would thrive in the Group 2 Program if they are …
- Are eager to stretch themselves and develop new skills.
- Feel ownership in their development of their learning (and playing) process.
- Bring a positive and proactive mindset to the program.
- Are fluent in basic mathematical operations, fractions, and decimals in real life situations.
- Are eager to engage in writing and reading activities.
Open Program
(ages 4 – 10)
Group Programs
(ages 7 – 18)
Explorations Programs
(ages 9 – 18)
Program OVERVIEW for 2026-27
Program | Ages | Days | Time | Tuition |
4 – 10 | M, T, W and/or Th (attend 1-4 days) | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $4,860/day, annually (range is $1,000-$4,860*) | |
Open Group (two day program) | 7 – 9 | T and Th | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $9,720/annually (range is $2,000 – $9,720*) |
Group 1 (two day program) | 9 – 11 | T and Th | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $9,720/annually (range is $2,000 – $9,720*) |
10 – 14 | M | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $4,860 annually (range is $1,000-$4,860*) | |
Group 2 (two day program) | 11 – 13 | T and Th | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $9,720/annually (range is $2,000 – $9,720*) |
Group 3 (two day program) | 13 – 15 | T and Th | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $9,720/annually (range is $2,000 – $9,720*) |
15 – 18 | T and Th | 9:00am – 3:30pm | $10,300/annually (range is $2,000 – $10,300*) | |
9 – 12 | W | 9:00am – 2:30 pm | $4,860annually (range is $1,000-$4,860*) | |
12 – 18 | W | 9:00am – 2:30 pm | $4,860 annually (range is $1,000-$4,860*) |
* Typical tuition range based on demonstrated financial need and available funding.
Copy of Program by Open Connections
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY:
“I am grateful beyond measure, and without words to adequately express how deeply I have appreciated all that each and every one of you have brought to our lives, in your countless and unique ways.”
– Kelly, OC Alum Parent and OC Facilitator
“I feel like I learn things faster because of how I am naturally curious. OC’s encouragement to pursue your natural curiosity is a big part of learning.”
– Garrett, OC Alum
“I find that the skills I have learned throughout my time at Open Connections and as a homeschooler are valuable and I will continue to use them for years to come. I appreciate that I have the freedom to choose what I want to focus on learning, and I feel like I have a lot of control over how I want my life to go because of that level of freedom.”
– Eva, OC Alum
“The model of Partnership Education suits our family’s needs beautifully. We appreciate the people, resources, and meaningful experiences that are available to our young people. OC continues to make our vision for a purposeful education a reality, and that’s a dream come true us. We can’t imagine anything better.”
– Lizzie, OC Parent
“Open Connections has introduced us to such a wide variety of ideas, experiences and people that we would have missed out on otherwise. We feel grateful for each opportunity OC has provided for our family!”
– Heather, OC Parent
“I love OC, and I like Choice the most! I love drawing and reading and making graphic novels. Homeschooling is fun.”
– Søren, OC Youth
“What do I love most? Being free! I love being outside so much. And I get to learn about snakes! Homeschooling is covering everything and it is making it fun, and we are learning more this way. I love OC, especially Thursdays and Tuesdays.”
– Silas, OC Youth
“We are constantly exploring new things. I like that there is structure to our learning but that can change depending on what the young people want.”
– Ollie, OC Youth
“OC is such a special place and differs from other learning environments in so many ways! One aspect of OC that I have always appreciated is how much OC values mutual respect. Facilitators do not look down on the young people, no matter what age they are, but instead treat them as equals.”
– Hannah, OC Alum
“Because it is such a small community, we become so connected to each other. There is always someone to interact with; another kid to play with or an adult to have a conversation. OC is small and that makes it a tight knit community. Learning together in a Group…, we become friends quickly, we connect and everyone is accepted. We are all in this together.”
– Lily, OC Youth
“OC provided a built-in support system as we started our homeschooling journey.”
– Ros, OC Parent
“Being able to explore what I was truly interested in at OC was important as I discovered both myself and—down the road—what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Teaghan, Alumna