Dulcius Ex Asperis
Ferguson Learning Center
"Where education meets real-life."
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ABOUT FERGUSON LEARNING CENTER
The Ferguson Learning Center is an online 8-12th-grade school operating from Marseilles, Illinois.
We provide high-quality instruction at an affordable price, integrating traditional education with real-world life skills. Some of the reasons that parents would choose FLC for their children include:
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parents who want to homeschool their children but don't have the time or the knowledge to do so.
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children who have anxiety or depression where a classroom setting is not an option
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children with medical issues
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children who are victims of bullying
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those who need credits to graduate or have quit high school and need to return.
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parents and students who are concerned with the current pandemic and large classroom sizes.
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What are some of the benefits of Ferguson Learning Center's online platform?
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We understand the issues that surround traditional schools and we also know that some children thrive when they do not have the distractions of large in-person classes.
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For students, this is a perfect opportunity for students to learn, meet and collaborate with students across the country and from all walks of life.
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Students learn from day one we are all unique and that we can celebrate those uniquenesses in a very safe environment.
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We get to take virtual field trips and meet teachers from around the world.
We all know that young adults have problems from time to time and that is perfectly understandable. Unfortunately, FLC is not equipped to help children with behavioral issues. Students must have the drive to learn.
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FLC is different from most online learning platforms. Our teachers lead classrooms in all core subjects. Our educational strategy expands beyond computers, infusing the concept of life skills through academics. We believe that this better prepares students for college as well as life.
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FLC is a non-profit 501c3 that is owned by Angels’ House of Illinois.
Our Philosophy and goal
Keep On Inspiring Our Students is our philosophy for educating students. The term Koios is what we believe to be central to our philosophy. This philosophy was inspired by the Greek mythology titan, Koios.
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Also known as Coeus, the Titan god of intelligence, inquisitive minds, or questioning intellects, his name signifies "query" or "questioning." We believe that all learning comes from questioning and being inquisitive.
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Our job is to make connections with children and stoke their passion for learning.
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Our goal is to engage with the student. We do this by designing programs to keep your child or young adult engaged in learning – teaching real-life skills that intersect with the subjects being taught. Students will also have contact with peers and teachers every day (M-F).
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We believe that it takes a village not only to raise but to educate a child. We also work in tandem with parents to help students in life skills for the challenging road ahead.
How do our classes operate?
Every semester, students will receive a Classroom Welcome Pack in the mail. It will contain textbooks, workbooks, and any other item needed for their classes. However, for some classes, classwork will be fulfilled online.
Each student is assigned to a virtual classroom, to which their parents also have access. This gives parents the opportunity of an inside view of their child's learning experience and what lessons are being taught.
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Each class will have scheduled sessions for online instruction. Students are required to join those classes virtually. Joining the VC (virtual class) is necessary for students to experience and enhance their learning. They will be able to see their teachers as well as peers.
Although we encourage active participation in the classroom discussions, we also recognize that active discussions for some students can be challenging. For this reason, we require students to be active listeners and give them the opportunity to relate information via chat or email.
Virtual Learning and the Illinois State Board of Education
The Illinois State Board of Education requires a minimum of five hours of daily instruction.
We understand that there are many issues that could turn five hours into a challenge. Here is where parents and teachers work together at the Ferguson Learning Center.
Students attend three-hour teacher-led class sessions on a daily basis. During that time, teachers will assign work to be completed immediately after class is over. This gives the opportunity for students to work at their own pace. Some students may do better working on their lessons right after class and others may like to complete work later in the day. It doesn’t matter as long as the work gets completed.
Role of Parents
Periodically, parents will be sent a questionnaire asking if their child has been working two hours a day on a life skill or assigned work.
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For high school students that are working towards a vocation, they may use time on the job as part of the life-skills learning class and credits towards graduation.
Angels' House of Illinois
Angels' House of Illinois is a foster home for children who enter/reenter the foster care system. Here, children will receive the care they need, clothing, healthy meals, a comfortable bed, and a safe, warm home.
Furthermore, Angels' House provides support for foster parents with much-needed resources such as eyeglasses, clothing, school supplies, bedding, some furniture, and connections to other community resources. In the future, Angels' House will host a therapeutic farm in support of youth in care and children in need.
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Angels' House is a non-profit 501c3.
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Photo Notes: Upper image courtesy of Annie Spratt
Lower image courtecy of Andrew Neel
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