Illinois Resource Page
Welcome! Homeschooling is an exciting journey and Calvert School will be with you every step of the way.
These resources will help you navigate the state requirements, access local support groups, and plan for fun educational outings.
Regulatory Information
Networking with Calvert Families in Your State!
Homeschool Support Groups
Educational Excursions
Regulatory Information
The link and contact information below will provide you with answers to any legal question you may have about homeschooling in your state.
Illinois Department of Education
Phone: Division of Special Education Services (217) 785-5589
Networking With Calvert Families in Your State!
The Calvert Networking Program allows us to connect families interested in homeschooling with Calvert families in their area currently using our courses. Networking is a great way for families considering the use of Calvert materials to discuss with a family how the program works and to possibly inspect course materials.
To learn more or to help prospective families learn more about Calvert, visit the Family Networking page.
Homeschool Support Groups
Homeschool support groups in your state are an excellent way to gain more assistance and guidance in your homeschooling endeavors. A regional support group fosters a wonderful sense on community among homeschooling families and allows for more opportunities to exchange ideas, plan group outings, and share in the overall experience of homeschooling! While Calvert supports the development of community between homeschool families, this list does not constitute affiliation between Calvert School and the groups represented below.
COLLEGE OF DUPAGE YOUTH EDUCATION HOMESCHOOL ENRICHMENT
Taught by experienced and qualified instructors, our home enrichment program provides affordable courses throughout the traditional school year for students grades 3-12, including literature, writing, science labs, mathematics, robotics, economics and so much more! Additionally, our youth education program also offers many other enrichment opportunities, including music lessons, computer lessons, talent search classes, etc.
Address: 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Phone: (630) 942-2849
Email: trotterj@cod.edu
Web: http://www.cod.edu/youth/
CROSSROADS AREA HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATION (CAHSA)
CAHSA unites Central Illinois homeschoolers where I-74, I-55 and I-39 connect by providing information about activities and academic opportunities. We offer field trips, annual testing, a chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha (National Homeschool Honor Society), B.A.C.H.S. (Homeschool Choir), Homespun 4H Club, Toastmasters, Enrichment Group, Mom's Night Out, Teen Group, Google Discussion Group and The Connection newsletter.
Based in Bloomington, IL 61704
Phone: (309) 662-8396
Email: cahsa.info@gmail.com
Web: http://www.cahsa.info/
FUN CLUB TOO
An inclusive group that accepts all religious beliefs and all types of schooling at home, Fun Club Too desires to provide opportunities for social interaction, friendship, and educational experiences. We meet on Thursdays, 2-3 times a month, from September through May. We do field trips and activities mostly in the northern part of Lake County, but do occasionally travel further, like Milwaukee.
Based in Lake County, IL
Email: the_mominator_4@hotmail.com
Web: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fct_inquiries/
Illinois Christian Home Educators
Illinois Christian Home Educators is a not-for-profit Christian organization composed of families dedicated to the success of home education in Illinois.
ICHE was started in December of 1983 by four Christian families seeking the support and fellowship of like-minded home educators. They decided to form ICHE for the purpose of encouraging the establishment of distinctly Christian support groups; compiling information helpful to the creation of such groups, and making it available to support group leaders.
ICHE is governed by a Board of Directors and is not a membership organization. ICHE is largely staffed by volunteer home-educating families. Its affiliation with Christian support groups is informal; at no cost to these groups. Its annual operating budget is met through the monies received for various publications, books and conferences each year, as well as generous donations from the friends of ICHE.
Address: PO Box 307, Russell, IL 60075-0307
Phone: 847-603-1259
Email: info@iche.org
Web: http://www.iche.org/
Educational Excursions
Afford your child the best chance to learn by taking field trips to different locations that encourage learning and curiosity. The locations listed below are wonderful tools in reinforcing the ideas taught in the classroom while having fun!
Town of Normal Children's Discovery Museum
The Children's Discovery Museum is a different kind of museum -- where touching the exhibits is actually encouraged. The exhibits are designed for kids of any age to touch, climb on, climb into, and even take apart and put back together. It's a liberty kids are seldom afforded in a museum -- or anywhere else!
The Children's Discovery Museum also offer hands-on classes especially for home school students. Advance registration is required; contact the museum for more info:
Town of Normal Children's Discovery Museum
Address: 101 E. Beaufort St., Normal, IL 61761
Phone: (309) 433-3444
Web: http://www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net/
Miller Park Zoo
The Miller Park Zoo offers monthly science classes covering topics such as animal groups, habitats, and endangered species. These classes are for ages 6-12 and registration is required. Contact us to learn more:
Miller Park Zoological Society
Address: 1020 South Morris Avenue, Bloomington, IL, 61701
Phone: (309) 434-2250
Web: www.cityblm.org/zoo
Chicago Children's Museum
Chicago Children's Museum's mission is to create a community where play and learning connect. The museum's primary audience is children up through the fifth grade including their families, along with the school and community groups that support and influence children's growth and development. The museum also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities and college internships.
Address: 700 E. Grand Ave, #127, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-527-1000
Web: http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/
The Children's Museum
Our mission is to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning in children by providing interactive exhibits and programs.
Address: 722 Holyoake Road, Edwardswille, IL 62025
Phone: 618-692-2094
Web: http://www.childrens-museum.net/index.php
The Children's Museum of Illinois
The Children's Museum of Illinois is a hands-on, interactive museum for children ages three to twelve! Its exhibits and activities complement and enhance children's educational opportunities, particularly in the arts and sciences. The museum contributes to the community's quality of life as an educational facility, visitor attraction, family activity, and a site for volunteerism.
Address: 55 South Country Club Rd, Decatur, IL 62521
Phone: 217-423-KIDS
Web: http://www.cmofil.com/index.html
Round Lake Area Park District Children's Neighborhood Museum
Imagine a tot-sized replica of a town built especially for kids or a place where they can drive a car to the grocery store, gas up at the local gas station, be a star on stage or a pizza stand owner! Our Neighborhood is a place where children ages 1-6 can practice various roles in a community, challenging themselves to explore, imagine and create, exercising both mind and body. They may even enter the Neighborhood's "backyard" where they can climb, crawl, slide and be busy bodies in a safe environment! We have designed our Children's Neighborhood Museum specifically for children 1-6 years old. We even meet a variety of "Illinois State Learning Standards" that have been developed for Early Childhood Developmental Education.
Address: 814 Hart Road, Round Lake, IL 60073
Phone: 847-546-8558
Web: http://www.roundlakeareaparkdistrict.org/parenttot.html
The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn
The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn provides exhibits, programs and activities designed to follow the Illinois Early Learning Standards developed by the Illinois State Board of Education: Division of Early Childhood Education. Participation in the activities and exhibits provides children with the Social / Emotional Development component of the State Standards. Illinois State Goals for the exhibits are available on request.
Address: 9600 East Shore Drive, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Phone: 708-423-6709
Email: general.information@cmoaklawn.org
Discovery Center Museum
The amazing Discovery Center Museum is full of over 250 exciting hands-on exhibits spread over a two-floor area. Out in the museum's backyard, visitors can explore Rock River Discovery Park, a giant, multi-level science park with a hands-on twist! The museum also hosts traveling exhibits, special events and programs throughout the year.
Address: 711 North Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103
Phone: 815-963-6769
Web: http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/index.php
Discovery Depot Children's Museum
Address: 128 S. Chambers, Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-344-8876
Email: discoverydepot@grics.net
DuPage Children's Museum
The DuPage Children's Museum mission is to stimulate curiosity, creativity, thinking and problem solving in young children through: self directed, open-ended experiences; integration of the arts, science and math; the child-adult learning partnership.
Address: 301 North Washington St, Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: 630-637-8000
Email: admin@dupagechildrenmuseum.org
Web: http://www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org/index.html
Exploration Station...A Children's Museum
Exploration Station...a chidren's museum is a hands-on exploration and discovery museum for children and their families, teachers and other caregivers.
At Exploration Station children can climb inside the tower of a medieval castle, drive a fire truck, fly an airplane, meet exotic animals and much more!
Children of all ages are welcome at the museum; however, the majority of the exhibits are designed for children between the ages of 3-10 years old.
Address: 459 Kennedy Drive, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Phone: 815-933-9905
Web: http://www.exploration-station.org/
Are we missing something? Calvert is always excited to hear of groups and establishments that may benefit the educational experience of our homeschool families. Calvert is also open to suggestions on added topics to provide our families with the most useful information possible. Please e-mail mwilmeth@calvertservices.org if you have information or ideas to add to the content of this site, or if you have a criticism or concern regarding the information featured above.
