Academic Opportunities

Steuben County Literacy Coalition

The Steuben County Literacy Coalition offers a variety of educational programs including both a science and drama camp each summer that are FREE or extremely affordable!  

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Public Libraries  

Steuben County is blessed with not one but THREE public libraries & one private University library!

 

Carnegie Public Library in downtown Angola offers various programs for both adults and children as well as book sales throughout the year.  Fremont Public Library has a large young adult section and frequently hosts homeschool classes (see their event calendar for current offerings).  Orland Public Library downtown Orland, Indiana is a unique piece of Indiana history that is neat to visit!  

 

All of these libraries offer access to Evergreen Indiana which is a growing consortium of more than 100 public, school and institutional libraries located throughout Indiana that use the Evergreen ILS. Patrons of member libraries can use their Evergreen Indiana library card to view the catalogs and borrow materials from the other member libraries.  Virtually any book throughout the world can be shipped free of charge to your home library within a week to a few days!  

 

And Trine's Sponsel Library provides access to numerous educational databases, with a community library card (available at their front desk).

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Merry Lea Environmental Resource Center - Homeschool Series

Merry Lea is an extension of Goshen College.  Only a 45 minute drive from Angola, we encourage homeschoolers to take advantage of over 1100 acres, many trails, and unique events throughout the year.

 

Merry Lea sponsors a homeschool series which covers a range of natural history and environmental topics throughout the year.  Sessions are planned so that students can attend in successive years, building on previous experiences. Additionally, any of Merry Lea’s field trips are available as homeschooling activities as well.  Visit their website for more info on the homeschool series.

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Trine University

Trine University, located right downtown Angola, is a fulcrum of homeschooling resources - almost too many to mention! 

 

Trine's Innovation One offers Lego Robotics Kids Camps, two hands-on programs ranging from basic robotics for beginners to a more sophisticated robots that require more advanced building and programming skills!  The beautifully constructed T. Furth Center for Performing Art features both local and national performances and on occasion has unique learning programs such as the drumming program put on in 2016.  The new Thunder Ice Arena offers community skate programs, homeschooling & open ice-skating and youth hockey camps and clinics.  Trine's Performance Art Department offers community theatre opportunities and several performances in the Fabiani and Wells Theatres, as well as orchestral performances through the year.  Trine's International Night is a smashing success in the community every year, where visitors take a trip around the world, visiting stations featuring students from the countries around the word, sampling their cuisine and learning about their unique cultures.  Engineering Day, sponsored each year by the Society of Women Engineers, gives elementary students a taste of Trine's state of the art science labs.  Trine's Humanities and Communication offers a variety of public lectures and events throughout the year.   

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Trine is an amazing resource for high school homeschoolers.  Many homeschoolers take advantage of Trine's dual enrollment classes at a steep discount from standard tuition rates. Visit in October for the NE Indiana Regional College Fair.   Stay connected by visiting their calendar of events!

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4-H

Steuben County 4-H is another fabulous program for local homeschoolers.  Enrollment is yearly around October. After enrollment, students join a local club.  There are a variety of clubs to choose from. Clubs meet about once a month and fair projects are completed at home in the student’s own time.  Completed projects are submitted to the county fair. There are so many projects to choose from and students are not limited to just one or two! From agricultural products such as animal husbandry and farming, to carpentry, photography, arts & crafts, foods, cake decorating, and so much more!  Successful projects are awarded with ribbons and some are invited to the state fair! Learn more by calling the local Purdue Extension office (located in the Steuben County Community Center). 

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The Impact Institute - Kendalville, IN

The Impact Institute is a vocational cooperative serving 13 school corporations in five counties of Northeast, Indiana.  The cooperative provides vocational programs, administers adult education and coordinates communications with the Indiana Department of Education and other state agencies. These successful partnerships have led to opportunities such as dual credit, articulation agreements, school-to-apprenticeship programs and increased vocational and adult education program offerings. Homeschooling high schoolers taking advantage of these programs have the opportunity to study a variety of fields such as automotive, culinary arts, interactive media and many, many more!  The Impact Institute is homeschool-friendly.  To learn more, check out their website.