Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Workshop approach?

Workshop Education draws its philosophical inspiration from Writer’s Workshop, developed by Lucy Calkins. This approach aims to connect learning closely with real-life challenges. Young writers emulate authors by crafting original drafts, engaging in editing and copyediting, and finally publishing their work as Featured Authors. This process helps students build their creative abilities by confronting blank pages and transforming them into completed books. Lastly, at Featured Authors, students share their work and receive feedback from peers, highlighting strengths and offering questions and suggestions.

The founder, Alexa Frisbie, was very impressed with this approach during her student teaching at the University of Virginia. Disappointed with the outcomes of traditional science instruction, Alexa adapted the Writer’s Workshop model into Experimenter’s Workshop for science education. Over time, she expanded the Workshop Education concept to include other subjects such as design thinking (inspired by Stanford d.school) and objectives related to social and emotional learning.

How are Workshop Education enrichment classes different from other enrichment classes?

Our curriculum is carefully designed not only to boost academic achievement but also to cultivate your child’s overall happiness and success, both in school and beyond. We prioritize a well-rounded approach that goes beyond traditional academics.

Unlike many other enrichment programs, our "flex enrichment" classes are designed with busy families in mind. We understand the challenges of managing varying schedules, so our classes offer flexibility to accommodate changes and adjustments, making it easier for parents to arrange and coordinate activities.

I am not sure of my child’s schedule for enrichment classes. Is it okay to register?

Yes. We know that for many parents, the only sure thing about your child’s schedule is that it is ever changing. Once your application has been approved, using the Parent Portal, you can add or drop classes by 7 A.M. the morning of class. You log in as a member, and go to the Schedule tab. You move to the correct month, and select or unselect days as needed for each child. If the day is not available, it is either a school holiday or classes are already full that day. Save the changes in the cart. You are billed at the end of the month, only for enrichment classes actually attended. No more guessing and wasting money!

How are you able to have parents request classes by 7:00 a.m. the day of?

In addition to our regular Workshop site directors and teachers, we have on call teachers who can go to different sites depending on need.

Where do students meet for Workshop?

After you register, we will send you the sign in location via email. If you do not receive this email, first check your spam and then contact our Director of Operations, Corina Outten at corinaoutten@workshopeducation.org.

Can my child come to Workshop before or after another on-campus class or sport activity?

Yes. You will not be charged for time your child is at another class, sport, or activity. Since we offer enrichment classes from school dismissal until 6 P.M., our teachers cannot leave Workshop to walk children to other classes. However, you can ask the teacher of the other class to pick up and drop off at Workshop.

How do you handle the age range in the classroom?

During Study Skills Workshop, children are typically grouped with others in their grade in smaller groups. In Innovation Workshop, our curriculum is designed so that all students work on the same project (such as a book, experiment, survey, art, or skit) but at their own level. For example, in a Writing Workshop, a younger child might create a picture book while an older child works on a chapter book. However, all students come together for presentations to provide feedback on each other's work, highlighting strengths and offering suggestions.

How do you design the Workshop class curriculum?

Our enrichment classes are designed based on the latest educational research and insights from college admission advisors, principals, and employers. We ask them what skills children need to be happy and successful but might be missing. Their answers shape the curriculum for our 360 unique classes (two per day for 180 school days) each year. We develop new curriculum annually, focusing on essential enrichment and "education for life."

What professional development do Workshop teachers participate in?

Our teachers embrace best teaching practices through the Workshop Education program, which includes online modules, professional development sessions, and in-class coaching. We believe that combining goal-oriented curriculum development with robust professional development creates an exceptional atmosphere for meaningful learning.

How does billing work?

Families are billed only for the exact duration their child attends our enrichment classes, calculated to the minute. We offer an hourly rate with discounts available for siblings and for attending more hours. Families sign up for auto-pay at registration. Invoices are sent on the 7th of each month and processed automatically on the 15th. Learn more about tuition here.