Kindergarten to Second grade primary classes support families using Memoria Press curriculum in their homeschool. The full-day classes are offered on Mondays from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Memoria Press curriculum plans are laid out for a five-day week (samples here: Kindergarten, First, Second). Mondays at HLN help you by handling the “Monday” academic assignments as well as the full week’s “Literature & Enrichment” portion, getting you ready for Tuesday through Friday work at home.

The children are so happy at HLN! I love the accountability of covering the same material as the other students on the same schedule. Additionally, I love the help of their teachers in presenting the materials on Mondays so I can follow up with their school work for the rest of the week. – Jenna P.

Primary classes are directed by a lead teacher and an assistant team. Generally, the focus for each class will be:

• Kindergarten: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Literature and Enrichment
• First & Second Grade: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Cursive, and Literature & Enrichment

Highlights of a day in HLN Primary School:

• Mornings:
  • recitation
  • reading and phonics
  • mid-morning recess in the gym, open play and old fashioned games plus snacktime (30 mins)
  • copybook penmanship and memorization (including cursive for first and second)
  • Monday math assignment
• Lunch time is shared with the entire school creating a special opportunity for the children to connect across ages. Sometimes as a special treat, recitations are given at the end of lunch!
• Afternoons:
  • 30 minute rest time (Kindergarten only)
  • Memoria Press Primary Literature & Enrichment: read-alouds, music, art appreciation, poetry, and history/science/culture read-alouds and discussion.
  • mid-afternoon recess in the gym, open play and old fashioned games and snacktime (30 mins)

Eligibility & Readiness: At HLN we are not in a rush to get a great education. 

• Kindergartners must be 5 on or before July 1.
  • Readiness Assessment. This assessment is provided for specific help in determining readiness for Memoria Press Kindergarten curriculum. Note that students must demonstrate readiness in all three categories. This video from HLN’s model school, Highlands Latin School, explains what is expected in Kindergarten on day 1.
  • If you are in doubt, please consider waiting a year. There is no rush to begin formal schooling.
    • For reference, most seventh graders at HLN are enrolled in the following classes:
      • Third Form Latin, Book of the Ancient Greeks/Iliad/Odyssey, Literature D, and Composition: Refutation/Confirmation. View the complete HLN Scope and Sequence here.
    • If your child is eager to “begin school” but they do not yet meet the age or all the readiness benchmarks, consider Memoria Press’s Junior-K program, available in two- or five-day per week editions.
• First graders must be 6 on or before July 1.
  • Readiness Assessment
  • They must be able to:
    • read Little Bear with help
    • write in manuscript
• Second graders must be 7 on or before July 1.
  • Readiness Assessment
  • They must be able to:
    • read well with a good grasp of English phonics
    • write in cursive or be learning cursive
      • If they have not already started cursive at the time of application, they should begin New American Cursive 1 now..

Purchase core curriculum here:

• Kindergarten
• First Grade (New MP users should add the First Grade New User Add on Set.)
• Second Grade (New MP users should add the Second Grade New User Add on Set.) N.B. Prima Latina & PL Copybook will be saved for use in Third Grade.

Families must purchase the core curriculum for home use (see links below). Tuition will cover the items needed for the tutorial day’s work in the classroom including arts and crafts. Note: Memoria Press will always update your teacher materials or lesson plans for free when editions are updated, so long as you’ve purchased directly from them. This will be helpful for those of you with other little ones coming along.

For use at home, you need only to purchase the core curriculum. The read-aloud set as well as the Science and Enrichment read-aloud sets are completely at your discretion, as funds allow. Students will encounter this material on Mondays while at HLN. Many of these titles can be found at the local library or used book store if they aren’t already on your own bookshelves!

Feeling a little overwhelmed about beginning your homeschooling journey?

• Memoria Press provides a homeschool-specific teacher training conference every summer called the Sodalitas Gathering in Louisville, KY, in July. Connect with other Memoria Press homeschoolers from across the U.S., learn from experienced homeschoolers and Highlands Latin School teachers, get to know the Memoria Press staff, and continue to grow in (or begin!) your own classical education.
• Get immediate help, support, and encouragement on the Memoria Press K-8 user forum.
• HLN always encourages taking the very long view in your homeschool journey. Click here to see HLN’s Scope and Sequence for third through twelfth grade. Looking at where a curriculum and tutorial take you in high school is a good way to determine if it is right for you now.