| PEAK group in Baton Rouge! Welcome the newest group in the PEAK Network. more... |
| PEAK group launches in Meridian! Welcome our new group in Meridian, Mississippi. more... |
| New PEAK group in Alabama! Welcome our new group on In East Central Alabama. more... |
| PEAK Network expands to the Pine Belt! Welcome our new group in the Hattiesburg, MS area. more... |
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What is the PEAK network?
How did the PEAK network begin?
What is PEAK's mission?
What does “inclusive” mean? Is it the same as non-denominational?
Is PEAK a secular organization?
What does member-led mean? What is expected of PEAK members?
What kinds of opportunities and activities are available through PEAK?
Does PEAK collect dues? Are there any costs associated with joining PEAK?
How do I join PEAK? Can I start a PEAK group if there's not one in my area?
I am considering homeschooling. Can I join PEAK even though I am not currently homeschooling?
What is an independent home educator?
Can students enrolled in Virtual Public Schools (VPS) or publicly-funded umbrella/cover schools join PEAK?
Does PEAK get involved in political issues or engage in lobbying?
Does PEAK offer a discount on HSLDA membership?
Does PEAK collect information about members?
What is the PEAK network?
PEAK is an acronym for Parent Educators and Kids. The PEAK network is comprised of member-led groups of independent home educators. Our groups are inclusive, welcoming all local home educators who enjoy sharing and learning with other families. Our members represent a broad range of learning styles, parenting philosophies, personal beliefs and political viewpoints, and we value and find strength in that diversity.
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How did the PEAK network begin?
Parent Educators and Kids (PEAK) was established in Jackson, Mississippi in September, 2004. Inspired by an article in Home Education Magazine describing member-led organizations, Natalie Criss, homeschooling mother of two, founded PEAK after learning that there were no inclusive homeschool groups in the Jackson metro area.
Originally intended as a local endeavor, PEAK quickly began to grow when home educators from other parts of the state expressed interest in creating similar groups in their own communities. Within six months, the PEAK network spread to the Gulf Coast, Hernando/Southaven, and Tupelo. Today, the PEAK network includes eleven groups in three states and continues to grow.
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What is PEAK's mission?
Our mission is to connect independent home educators through a network of inclusive local groups that encourage members to share resources, learn together and build a diverse community.
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What does “inclusive” mean? Is it the same as non-denominational?
Inclusive and non-denominational are not the same. Non-denominational describes a faith-based group comprised of people of the same faith without regard to denominational affiliation. PEAK is not a faith-based group and is not affiliated with any religious, philosophical or political organizations.
PEAK is inclusive, which means that we welcome all independent home educators. Our membership includes various ethnicities and cultures, divergent spiritual and religious worldviews, assorted political and social philosophies, and a broad range of educational approaches involving children from all levels of ability in families of different shapes and sizes. We strive to create an environment where all members are comfortable participating and we expect all members to respect the choices and beliefs of others.
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Is PEAK a secular organization?
Because “secular” can be interpreted to exclude religious people or emphasize religious differences, this word does not accurately describe the PEAK network. PEAK places no emphasis on religious, philosophical, or political beliefs and finds strength in a diverse membership where numerous viewpoints are represented.
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What does member-led mean? What is expected of PEAK members?
Member-led means that individual members plan activities for the group. PEAK groups have no officers or committees. Each group does have at least one moderator, but the moderator's role is to manage the group's online resources and ensure that PEAK guidelines are respected, not to plan or oversee activities. All members are encouraged to plan activities that they want for their own families and would like to share with their PEAK group.
In order for a member-led group to thrive, members must give of their time and talents as they are able. In local PEAK groups, all families are expected to attend and/or plan PEAK events and activities on a regular basis. Inactive members are removed during periodic reviews of our member list, with an invitation to rejoin the group when they are able to begin participating.
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What kinds of opportunities and activities are available through PEAK?
The range of activities offered by each local group depends entirely upon the interests of the participating families and their willingness to plan PEAK events. The following list includes activities organized by families in various PEAK groups:
4-H clubs and contests
Girl Scouts/Brownies
FIRST Lego Robotics
Intel/ISEF Science Fair
Jr. Master Gardener Program
Art contests
Photography contests
Book sales/swaps
Homeschool workshops
Seasonal events
Holiday celebrations
Annual Conference
Teen & Tween group
Drama co-ops
Art co-ops
History co-ops
American Girl co-ops
Field Trips
Park Days
Play Dates
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Does PEAK collect dues? Are there any costs associated with joining PEAK?
There are no dues to join PEAK. Many local PEAK groups offer a wide variety of activities at little or no cost. Individuals and families who organize an activity may pass any costs along to those interested in participating. This approach allows families to participate and pay for only those activities that appeal to them.
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How do I join PEAK? Can I start a PEAK group if there's not one in my area?
To find out if there is a PEAK group near you, visit our local groups page. To join PEAK, just register at the PEAK network forums. You'll complete a brief questionnaire which will help us place you with a local group. If there is no PEAK group in your area, you'll be able to use our network-wide forums to possibly connect with others near you. New PEAK groups have formed as a result of these connections, so be sure to take advantage of this resource! For more information about creating a new PEAK group, please email us.
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I am considering homeschooling. Can I join PEAK even though I am not currently homeschooling?
You may join our PEAK network forums where you can ask questions about home education in general, and also possibly meet people from your area and ask about local resources. Access to local forums is reserved for families currently involved in independent home education. Once you make your decision to begin home education, you may join a local group. However, if you enroll in a virtual public school, you will no longer be eligible for membership in PEAK.
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What is an independent home educator?
Independent home educators are families who exercise private, individualized control over their child(ren)’s education outside of a traditional school environment without utilizing state- or federally-funded educational programs or assistance. Some examples of independent home educators are families who purchase curriculum materials for private use as homeschoolers and families who legally enroll in private homeschools (also called cottage schools) or private cover/umbrella schools.
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Can students enrolled in Virtual Public Schools (VPS) or publicly-funded umbrella/cover schools join PEAK?
No. PEAK is a network for independent home educators. Virtual Public School is tax-funded public school at home. Children enrolled in VPS are public school students and are subject to the No Child Left Behind regulation, compulsory attendance laws and other laws regulating public school enrollees.
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Does PEAK get involved in political issues or engage in lobbying?
No. We encourage all independent home educators to understand their rights under the laws in their state, but we do not contact elected officials on our members’ behalf or issue action alerts to our members. PEAK is not a legislative watch group.
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Does PEAK offer a discount on HSLDA membership?
No, PEAK is not a Home School Legal Defense Association member organization. If individual PEAK members wish to join HSLDA, we respect their choice, but the PEAK network does not participate in political activism or partner with exclusive organizations.
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Does PEAK collect information about members?
Besides the questionnaire completed by new members before joining our forums, we do not collect any other information. PEAK absolutely will not ever share our members’ information with any outside parties.
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