WSHC is a place for kids to dig into specialized content areas, sharing their week with a close group of families.
Our programs are educational and fun, specializing in subjects that benefit from a larger group.
Our instructors are skillful professionals who integrate relationship with the joy of learning.
As home education is at the heart of what we do, we encourage parents to join in!
Term in Progress
Fall 2024
10 weeks
September 23 - December 16
No classes: September 30, October 14, November 11
Upcoming Term
Winter 2025
13 weeks
January 13 - April 28
No classes: February 17, March 31, April 21
Founded in 2012, WSHC welcomes families of diverse backgrounds, in particular those who have special learning challenges. Initiated and run by homeschooling families, we value consistent community—a place to be “home” together.
WSHC began as a music program for homeschool families, with 36 kids in two choirs. Each year since, its scope has evolved, guided by the interest of its members. In 2015, we began to incorporate parent-led classes, then welcomed private instructors. As well as classes, we also have enjoyed the addition of a lending library and field trips. We have hosted yearly science and heritage fairs for the wider HS community, as well as used curriculum fairs and visiting performers.
WSHC is also proud to support homeschooling families—to date, twenty-seven of our instructors and support staff have been homeschooling parents or homeschooled youth. Most importantly, WSHC desires to be a community where families receive excellent community-based programming that complements their work at home, while becoming a place where deep connections are formed.
WSHC Classes
-
Instructor: Kristy Burton
Art is one of the only subjects where there is no “right” answer, and that encourages the brain to work in totally unique ways. This class focuses on pairing creativity with critical thinking at every age and skill level in fun and engaging ways. Students will learn to analyze shape and pattern in the world around them, studying the work of master artists as they play with and manipulate different art materials—water colour, acrylic, ceramics, charcoal, collage, printmaking and more. Abstract artworks from art history will be used for inspiration and reference.
Preschool Art meets during the Elementary slot with parental assistance to complete an age-appropriate project.
Maximum class size: 15 students
-
Instructor: Dave Meunier, B.Sc, B.Ed
This three session mini-course begins with the very basics of one of the world’s most popular (and important!) games. Work through increasingly challenging exercises and mini-games, specifically designed to help young people on a journey towards mastering key elements of chess strategy. Exploring the intricacies of chess helps young brains develop critical thinking skills, forethought, and action-consequence analysis – all while having fun! All equipment provided and ends in a tournament.
Maximum class size: 18 students
-
Facilitated by Ck2 Inc. Arrowsmith Teacher
Applying the Arrowsmith Program's cutting-edge, neuro-scientific research, Ck2 Inc. helps families thrive beyond a diagnosis. We support students with learning difficulties such as ADHD and anxiety, to dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and brain injury. We help students become effective, confident, and self-directed learners.
40+ minutes/day, at-home, online, or in-person
Maximum class size: 12 students
-
Facilitators: AK Gassama (Elementary), Heather Wickstrom (Junior/Youth)
Gym Games: A host of gym games designed to help develop movement, balance, and thinking skills. We'll play running games, fitness games, brain-development games, cooperative games, and every kind of dodgeball you can imagine. Join us for oodles of games, fun, and energy-generating excitement.
Maximum class size: 30 students
-
Instructor: Jen Siwik
Preschool
Exploration of body, space, effort and relationship awareness through movement and music.YOB: 2020-2021
Fusion Dance
Exploration of basic ballet and rhythmic gymnastics skills. Exploring posture, flexibility, musicality, rhythm, contrasts, moving across the floor, ribbon/apparatus technique, choreography and self-expression through movement. There are many studies that testify to the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and creative benefits of dance for young children, but it is also tons of fun!
YOB: School Age
Maximum class size: 10 students
-
Instructor: Laura Kolisnyk
Acting Discovery (Elementary)
Begin to explore the world of acting, with techniques including improvisation, theatre games and play-building. Learn about drama while developing self-confidence, creativity and teamwork skills. Develop your performance skills while exploring acting techniques and a variety of theatre skills.Acting Exploration (Junior/Youth)
Explore theatre skills and acting exercises while collaborating on complex group work. This course will develop your acting and performance skills including improvisation, scene study and character work, as you progress to scripted scene work. It’s a great way to develop self-confidence and the perfect outlet for self-expression.Maximum class size: 14 students
-
Instructor: Dave Meunier, B.Sc, B.Ed
Are you ready for outdoor adventures? Learn outdoor and survival skills in a multi-season environment in this three session mini-course. We’ll show you how to prepare your body and your equipment for full enjoyment of outdoor activities, plus how to manage an unexpected night or two out in the wild.
From fire-lighting and shelter-building to water preparation, signaling, navigation, to understanding the essential gear to carry, we’ll introduce you to the fascinating world of preparedness and survival skills. Gain competence and confidence in your readiness for outdoor and everyday pursuits! Our session includes time for Q & A and skill practice, and plenty of review and reinforcement to ensure learning and retention. There will, of course, be a “survival skills team competition” as the last class!
Maximum class size: 20 students
-
Instructor: Trisha Serhal
Each session will be divided into three parts: warm-up, drills, and play. Grow in your skills and have fun meeting other homeschool teens. All skill levels welcomed.
2012 and older.
Maximum class size: 25 students
Meet Our Team
-
Kristy is a passionate instructor and absolutely loves everything art. She has been leading art classes for K-12 students for more than nine years. As a student still herself, she continues to learn and pass on that knowledge to her students.
Kristy desires to inspire kids through access to different mediums and forms of art play. Her goal is to facilitate a space where kids build confidence, connection and creativity. She can’t wait to meet you!
-
AK Gassama, 2024 CFL draft pick and UM Bisons captain, is a long time mentor to kids in care, leader on the football field, and future teacher candidate. AK brings joy wherever he goes and is ready to coach our elementary students through all sorts of gym fun.
-
Laura is a Winnipeg-based performer, choreographer, director and educator. An honours graduate of the University of Winnipeg theatre department, she performs locally and internationally.
Specializing in theatre for young audiences, she spent ten years with Koba Entertainment. Most notable credits with the company include Max and Ruby, performed on Broadway; Caillou, performed in Korea and the UAE; and Franklin, performed in France. In Winnipeg, she has performed with Rainbow Stage and The Winnipeg Jewish Theatre and has written, produced and performed shows for the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, her favourite being Ordinary May's Extraordinary Ways, a play for kids about self-worth and acceptance.
In addition to voicing many cartoon characters for Dacapo Productions, she fronts Fun-key Ducks, the funkiest kids band in Winnipeg.
As an educator, she has more than 20 years experience sharing her passion for performing arts in dance, musical theatre and drama at many schools and studios in Winnipeg.
-
A seasoned educator, Dave’s teaching and instructing career has spanned 25 years as a high school teacher, more than 30 years of martial arts instruction, private tutoring in math and science, and 12 years instructing an epic outdoor skills program.
In addition to his work with Ck2 Inc., Dave helps communities come together around outdoor / survival skills and deepening their preparedness to face the challenges of a changing world.
He continues to teach regular martial arts classes, and looks forward to guiding some hiking, camping, and canoeing trips. He has a special heart for enriching the experiences of homeschooling communities through his unique skill set, and for building family connections and epic memories!
-
BIO to come.
-
Jen has more than three decades of experience teaching dance and rhythmic gymnastics. As a teenager, Jen competed nationally in rhythmic gymnastics with the Senior Manitoba Team. Her favourite thing about teaching is helping students master new skills by incorporating a wide range of approaches that appeal to different learning styles.
Jen also teaches dance at Masterworks Arts Studio where she has taught for more than 25 years, where we see the hope and potential in all young people.
-
Heather Wickstrom is a mother of five and a homeschooling enthusiast. She loves to teach and gather community, always looking for opportunities to help people connect. She enjoys games, being active, and spending time with family.
