Forms & Specialties
Standing Oak follows the Charlotte Mason Institute’s Alveary curriculum, thoughtfully adapting it to meet our students’ needs.
Our classes are currently grouped by Form, as originally designed by Charlotte Mason, with plans to transition to grade-level classes as we grow.
Grades 1-3
-Form 1-
Most subjects are covered at Standing Oak, while math, additional phonogram and reading practice, and a few recommended subjects are completed at home. The kids especially love the movement built into their day and the many rich stories they enjoy throughout the year.
Grades 4-6
-Form 2-
Most subjects are divided between Standing Oak and home days, giving you the freedom to set your own rhythm at home. Students will occasionally bring home grammar, dictation, or a book to finish reading—historical fiction has been a big hit this year!
Students begin a slightly more rigorous schedule, diving into Charlotte Mason’s Ourselves along with other rich, life-giving books. Some subjects are intentionally shared between home and school to help students build time-management and independent study skills.
Grades 7-8
-Form 3-
Grades 9-12
-Forms 4 & 5-
The 9th–12th grade curriculum is designed for student independence, with much of the work completed at home. It features rich history, powerful literature, meaningful science, and intentional character development. Teachers assign both school and home subjects, creating space for deep discussions and hands-on labs.
Math
Offerings
We use Right Start Math for Forms 1–3 (grades 1–8), placing students by skill level rather than grade. Math is an optional subject held from 8:20–9:20 AM, with additional lessons completed at home on Tuesdays and Fridays. For the 2025–2026 year, we’ll offer levels C, E, and F. If you already have a math program you love, you're welcome to stick with it!
Form 1
Notes
For reading instruction, we use Logic of English—Level B in 1st grade and Level C in 2nd grade—to teach both reading and spelling. In 3rd grade, students begin French-style dictation for spelling, gradually transitioning to a more traditional Charlotte Mason approach by 4th grade.
Labs
-Forms 2 & up-
Labs are done in the afternoons in forms 2, & 3, once per week here at Standing Oak. Form 4-5 will have lab days outside of Standing Oak. Form 2-5 will have home reading that is applicable to school labs. High school will additionally work on lab reporting. The labs are fun, interesting and engaging.
Afternoon Occupations
Handicrafts
-All Forms-
Students learn 2 handicraft skills per term, with some going over multiple terms. This year consisted of scrapbooking, papermaking, bookbinding and printmaking. Lost skills that develop fine motor, creative thinking and create interest in possible hobbies for students to pursue more in-depth outside of school.
Nature Study
-All Forms-
Nature Study is one of the most beloved aspects of the Charlotte Mason method. It is time spent outdoors, exploring and observing nature and discovering how it relates to us and how we relate to the world around us. It is often children’s introduction to science. Nature, God’s creation, is worth knowing intimately.