Offering flexibility and leadership for students, The Heartwood Learning Program (HLP) launched in Golden, B.C., this September with over 30 students from kindergarten to grade nine from in and around Golden and Parson enrolled in the program.
The program offers homeschoolers an education option through School District 71, focusing on the unique needs and interests of each child. It is a flexible program with a goal, as described on its website, to celebrate curiosity, nurture individuality, and honour the rhythms of childhood.
At the heart of the Provincially regulated program is the belief that learning begins at home, where children feel safe, supported, and free to explore. Families work closely with certified teachers to design personalized learning plans that align with provincial requirements while embracing each child’s interests, strengths, and developmental pace. Whether a child is fascinated by nature, storytelling, building, or gardening, their passions become the foundation for meaningful education.
Alexis Nicols is one teacher working with students in kindergarten to Grade 4. She says the program came to the community of Golden, B.C., due to the high interest of parents who were already homeschooling and interested in bringing the HLP to benefit their children.
With teachers in place in communities with more than 11 children interested in the program as part of Heartwoods’ policies, individual programs within those communities can offer weekly “classroom” gatherings and monthly outings in the community to increase participants’ educational experience.
“The kids are excited to come. A lot of this is new; it’s exciting for the kids,” Nicols says.
The program’s approach to education fosters and focuses on intrinsic motivation led by students, enabling children to learn not because they must, but because they are genuinely curious. It’s not uncommon to see a child diving into a self-directed project that blends science, art, and writing — all while meeting curriculum goals.
Nicols says part of the Golden program’s weekly structure for the K-4s includes activities that develop students’ “social-emotional needs, math and literacy skills and outdoor learning.”
“Every class has different needs; we have a lot of different options,” she says.
While home is the anchor, Heartwood extends learning into the community and natural world. In regions like Golden, BC, children might gather for optional classroom days, outdoor explorations, or community-based projects. These gatherings are not mandatory and offer social connection, collaborative learning, and exposure to diverse perspectives.
This fluid blend of home, nature, and community creates a rich experience for participants.
“I just think of how excited they are,” Nicols says, sharing the learning offering she provides in her class of “sit spots journals.”
“Every week, they find a spot outside and write about what they see, and then go back to the same spot and identify the differences and changes that occurred. The kids are always excited to come back to the sharing circle and talk about what they see,” she says, adding, “they really seem to enjoy it.”
Homeschooling through Heartwood isn’t just academically enriching — it’s emotionally and mentally nourishing. Children are given space to regulate their energy, express their emotions, and build confidence in their own voice.
The absence of rigid schedules and high-pressure testing allows for a more balanced lifestyle. Nicols explains that there are typically 14 students to one teacher, while in public school, the average is about 20 to 1. Options for alternative learning help spread the workload for educators while creating different environments for students to learn, whether it’s at home, outside or at a community venue.
HLP is a provincial program making a difference for families who need it. According to its website, one parent shared how their neurodivergent child, once overwhelmed in traditional school, flourished in Heartwood’s therapeutic learning stream — engaging in project-based learning and developing social skills in a nurturing environment.
Another family described how their child, enthusiastic about wildlife conservation, was able to design a year-long study on local species, culminating in a community presentation that earned accolades and sparked new friendships.
These stories are examples of how the HLP creates success for students through trusting children to lead their own learning journey.
The Heartwood Learning Program is more than an educational model — it’s a movement toward respectful, joyful, and holistic learning. It honours provincial standards while giving families the freedom to craft an experience that reflects their values and their child’s unique spark.
For families seeking a path that blends academic integrity with emotional well-being, Heartwood offers a beautiful way forward — one rooted in connection, curiosity, and care.
Nicols says if parents are interested in enrolling their child in the program, enrollment begins in March, and they can email her at alexisnicolteacher@gmail.com.
