Welcome!
ESCHEL Membership and Waiting List
Are you new or seasoned to homeschooling? Welcome! We would love to partner with you on this wonderful journey. Registration for the 2025/26 ESCHEL school year will open for members in April or May.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE WAITING LIST REQUEST FORM TO BE CONSIDERED FOR REGISTRATION (click here).
DO NOT COMPLETE THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM UNTIL YOU RECEIVE CONFIRMATION THAT A SPOT IS AVAILABLE.
AFTER receiving notice of an opening, people wanting to become members will complete the "Membership Application" form and other documents.
About Us
ESCHEL is a community of Christian families working together to enhance their children’s home education. We offer classes for home-educated students from preschool through high school.
ESCHEL began in 1987 with eight families who met at First Evangelical Free Church in St. Paul. In 1990, we moved to the Salvation Army Temple in Maplewood. In 1996, we added grades 7-10 and became a non-profit corporation. We moved to Hope Church of Oakdale, MN in 2012, and we now have approximately fifty families participating.
ESCHEL meets on Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. We also offer an optional afternoon class from 1:30-2:30. Our school year begins in September and ends in May, with an extended break in December. We meet at Hope Church at 7910 15th Street North in Oakdale, MN. We conduct classes for children from kindergarten through high school. During class time, parents are free to leave the building if they have no assigned duties.
For students in preschool through sixth grade, ESCHEL is not a cafeteria-style program. Only junior high and high school courses are offered on an a la carte basis. Our elementary students benefit from participating in all offered courses for their grade level, allowing for a consistent student population in a classroom atmosphere.
ESCHEL’s program is divided into kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school divisions.
What is Expected from Members
For more details about member expectations, see our Member Handbook.
- Timely payment of tuition and fees
- Serving during class days a minimum of twice per semester
What Makes Us Unique
- Classes for children from kindergarten through high school taught by qualified tutors, with homework, parent/tutor conferences, and report cards
- Optional group experiences including service opportunities and field trips
- Class days for personal use when parents have no assigned ESCHEL duties
Fees
Annual Registration Fee
The 2025-2026 annual registration fee for ESCHEL is $75.00 per family. This fee is paid as part of member registration, before registering for classes. This fee is nonrefundable. You may pay by check or by Paypal. There is $2 extra fee for using Paypal.
Class Tuition and Supply Fees
Class tuition and fees listed in the Class Registration tab are for the 2025-2026 school year. Note that with the exception of semester-only courses, tuition and fees are given as annual amounts. All tuition and class fees are due on or before the following dates.
Tuition and fees for all courses will be paid in two installments as follows:
1st Installment due April 15, 2025
2nd Installment due Sept. 2, 2025 or at Parent Meeting.
Refund policies are included in the class descriptions.
Please note: The tutors have done their best to accurately estimate supplies and other class fees for the upcoming school year. These estimates are based on expected class enrollment. Class fees may be adjusted based on final enrollment.
Class Fees cover supplies, room rental, conferences and other expenses for the tutors.
Elementary Classes
The Elementary (K4-6th grade) Program
ESCHEL's program for elementary students is NOT a cafeteria-style program where you can choose individual courses. Our younger students benefit from participating in all courses for their grade level which allows for a consistent student group in a classroom atmosphere. Elementary students must be enrolled in all three core couses -- Writing, Art and Phy Ed. If not selected, Admin will override registration. There are often optional early morning and afternoon courses available for registration in addition to the core courses.
To see detailed information about courses, click on the Class Registration tab. Then click on individual courses in the class schedule for a description and tuition.
Secondary Classes
The Secondary (7th-12th grades) Program
ESCHEL’s program for junior high and high school students is a la carte, meaning families can choose which classes their students take. However, we strongly encourage families to take advantage of each of the courses offered for their student’s grade level. Doing so fosters a sense of community and provides academic challenge, giving students a solid foundation for future high school coursework.
To see detailed information about courses offered, click on the Class Registration tab. Then click on individual classes in the class schedule for a description and tuition. Note that individual courses are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not met.
Please note: Secondary students are welcome to eat lunch from 1:00-1:30 pm either outdoors or in designated rooms. Students eating lunch at ESCHEL are expected to clean up after themselves. All children 6th grade and younger must be supervised by a parent or other adult arranged by the parent, if not registered for a class and waiting for an older student to finish.
Class Dates
2024-2025
September 10, 17, 24
October 8, 15, 22, 29
November 5 (conferences - no classes), 12, 19, 26
December 3, 10
January 7, 14, 21, 28
February 11, 18, 25
March 11, 18, 25
April 8, 15, 22, 29
May 6, 13
2025-2026
September 9, 16, 23, 30
October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11 (conferences, no classes), 18, 25
December 2, 9 (End of 1st Semester)
January 13, 20, 27
February 10, 17, 24
March 10, 17, 24, 31
April 14, 21, 28
May 5, 12