COMMUNITY AT AHB

Join a Community of Learners

Connecting Families to School

School should provide a place of belonging. Recent research suggests students who attend schools with strong communities develop better social skills and perform better academically, even years after students graduate. In 2020, 100% of responding parents rated their sense of community at AHB as very good or strong.

SCHOOL + FAMILY
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Homeschool coop parents laugh while gardening.

How AHB Builds Community

Small class of middle school students collaborates.

Small Classes

Learning is more fun with friends. At AHB Community School, class sizes are limited to 11 students per teacher, so students develop strong bonds. Science and social studies are explored in mixed-age classes, giving students the opportunity to connect across grades.

Students spend two or three years working with the same teachers, and the micro school is limited to 90 students.

As a result, students develop a sense of belonging and acceptance for one another. These connections ensure students feel comfortable enough to challenge themselves and that students look forward to coming to school day after day, year after year.

How Small Classes Have Big Advantages
Parent explains Diwali to class at micro school.

Parents as Collaborators

Family is the linchpin behind every student’s success. AHB encourages parents to contribute to their child’s education, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Originating as a homeschool coop, today AHB (Austin Home Base) Community School encourages parents to contribute 20 hours of volunteer hours each year, depending on individual talents. Parents might garden, act as a guest speaker, or help organize an event.

With a condensed schedule, families are able to use their free time to support student’s individual development. When parents collaborate with school, families thrive.

School + Family at AHB
Board members chat with teacher.

Community Input

Few schools appreciate parent collaboration as much as AHB Community School. Here, families elect seven parents to the Board of Directors in two year terms. These parents work with two teacher representatives and administration to develop policies and goals in line with the community by-laws, which are enacted by parents.

Often, surveys or forums are held to clarify community preferences. Public board meetings are parent coffees are held monthly.

To keep parents informed, teachers and admin send weekly newsletters. Each semester, parents meet with teachers privately and as a class for mutual support.

AHB Board of Directors

AHB Community Traditions

WINTER FAIRE

Students sell their hand-made crafts as a school fundraiser.

PORTFOLIOS ON PARADE

Students act as docents, showcasing the projects of the past semester.

TALENT SHOW

Every act gets applause! Students might volunteer to hula hoop, sing, or recite poetry.

SCIENCE FAIR

Every other year, 4th-8th grade students test their hypotheses.

SHIPE PARK DAYS

A monthly school-wide picnic at the park. Parents are invited!

PARENT COFFEES

A monthly casual meetup for parents after drop-off.

Events Calendar

Tip: Click the blue “plus” sign below the calendar to subscribe to the AHB calendar in your Google account. Once you have subscribed to the AHB Community School calendar, you can link it to your preferred calendar app such as Outlook or iPhone using these steps. Find the special link by going to calendar.google.com, opening the Settings page, and scrolling down to “Other Calendars > AHBCS > Integrate Calendar”. In most cases, you will be looking for the “public iCal link”.

SEL AT AHB COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Community Builds Confidence

We want more for our children than to simply be educated. Our non-traditional school offers the opportunity for students to develop their social skills and grow emotionally. Along with building community, AHB utilizes small class sizes and proven classroom strategies for social-emotional learning. AHB students grow confident as valued community members, strong communicators and capable students.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AT AHB
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