How Our Virtual Program Works
Enki Virtual Community School
one of a kind opportunity
For the over six years, we have been offering real-time, peer-community learning, online—and it works!
Come see the classes in action!
Eligible for Department of Education Homeschool Credit *
Today’s children are growing up in a different world, one with both challenges and blessings. One of the biggest blessings is that we have an opportunity to make real connections online. When we began this program, we, like many of you, questioned whether or not this could be done – it can! Every class we see the students interacting compassionately, honestly, and playfully. They challenge each other, learn from each other, support each other, and develop real friendships, some lasting years beyond the class.
In the Enki Comprehensive Virtual Program, all students participate in live-online Humanities classes throughout the year. There is then a choice of doing the Enhanced Study classes (Math-Science, and Grammar) units in the Virtual School setting, or as homeschooling programs, with the parents teaching these at home. While we encourage participation in the live-online Enhanced Study classes, we offer this homeschooling choice for those families who prefer more flexibility or more parent participation. For those choosing the at-home option, we will provide written guidance and five online, group guidance calls for parents.
Our Shared Ground: Humanities Classes
Days/Times: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, 8am–10:30am PACIFIC TIME
At the heart of all work in Enki is the deep experience of our shared humanity; for the preteen and early adolescent, this experience is supported by positive work with peers. Therefore, in our live-online classes, we begin each week by checking in with one another. From there, we move between full group discussions exploring the topic at hand, and small, peer group work focused on positive communication – and quite a bit of “peer play!” Between the two work structures, skill in creative writing, communication, and problem solving are developed. Cultural music and art projects are part of every day.
The first 7-8 weeks of each Humanities unit is spent establishing the cultural and historical setting. During this time we work primarily with an Enki Book, reading and discussing, writing and doing art work. While this period has a great deal of peer interaction, it is primarily a whole group focus. Then, during the longer Fall and Spring units, for the last five weeks, we shift our focus to the development of peer group projects. This includes peer brainstorming and planning, independent work, and small group work; of most importance, the work now centers around the students’ creativity and independent follow through! See their remarkable sample projects here.
Homework. Along with the live online classes, each week includes reading (or listening) homework and some writing, project work, and completion of art work. In addition to the reading assignments, we expect the students will spend two to three hours a week on Humanities homework, during the project section it may be a little more.
Weekly Homework: approximately 3 hours
Enhanced Study Classes (Math/Science, and Grammar – optional add-on)
Days/Times:
Grade 6 Monday and Thursday, 11:30am–1pm PACIFIC TIME
Grade 7 Tuesday and Friday, 11:30am–1pm PACIFIC TIME
Each of the Enhanced Study classes, builds on the work done in the Humanities class, as detailed in the specific class descriptions. In these, we continue to work in both large and small groups, but the focus is on experimentation, exploration, reasoning, and skill building.
Looking through the lens of the culture in focus in the humanities classes, in both the fall and spring terms, we take up the study of math and science. For example, the science of physics, mechanics in particular, is studied in the context of the ancient Middle East where the use of the wheel, the lever, and so many other earth shaking discoveries were first recorded; ratio and proportion, as well as astronomy, are taken up in relation to Fibonacci and the European Renaissance, and so on.
All Math classes have prerequisites so that the group can take up the new learning. Please check the grade specific information and email the office to set up a phone discussion if you have any questions about your child’s readiness for these classes, or would like guidance on getting additional support to ready the child for this work.
In the winter term, we continue with practicing known math skills, but our main focus is we focus on helping the students clarify grammatical rules, and, most importantly, begin to take responsibility to apply these rules.
These classes can be taken one of two ways: In the live-online format similar to the Humanities, OR you can do these as a family, with materials, teaching guides, and guidance for parents, provided by Enki.
Weekly Homework: under 1 hour (math practice 15 min. 3x week, and some science experimentation)
How it Works: Materials and Technology
Classes are attended via Zoom. It works very well and is free to the students, and they can meet socially on Zoom outside of class time. You do need to have three things: good internet access; a computer with a camera; and a space where the child will not be interrupted.
The primary reading material is original work developed by Enki Education. This is only available through Redshelf, a digital textbook program, which has useful features, including: text read aloud (audio version), offline viewing and listening, bookmarking, and more. Watch this video to see how we use Redshelf with our Enki Program. Some additional reading materials will be needed that can be found at your local library or purchased from your local bookstore.
I found a warm and welcoming environment, where the other children and myself where allowed to talk and joke about the things important to us, with the teacher there to guide conversations and, when necessary, focus us on the content.Rebecca in Colorado
(more testimonials here)
Hear from parents AND Visit the classes here!

Cuneiform Writing: Irrigation Changes Everything

What’s it like to learn online? Our live classes in the online environment successfully support both peer relationships and learning to work as a community. Deep exploration, creative compromise, listening to one another, play, banter, and peer support, are all part of the daily fare. Hear how students find the experience.
Many people, appropriately, want to see how this approach might fit their particular child. Only you can answer this, so we invite you to get a cup of tea and sit back for an indepth visit with our classes – there are a couple of hours worth of video, in short sections, of our classes in action. Also, feel free to set up a complimentary pre-purchase consultation.
Details by Grade
Three cultural units per year, per grade are included in the program. Brief information is below, with full description available on each grade’s page.
Grade 6
6th Graders, with their focus on chaos, conflict, and order, will have the opportunity to explore the unfolding of these issues in: the Ancient Middle East; the world of the Inca; and, Ancient Greece and Rome.

Grade 7
7th Graders, with their need to see the world with their own eyes and recreate it for themselves, will have the opportunity to explore these issues as seen in: Ancient China; in a true sea survival story; and in the European Renaissance.

Grade 8
8th Graders, with their natural struggle to find their own way – largely through revolution – will have the opportunity to explore the struggle for justice through: revolution in South Africa (Mandela), Resistance in WWII (Jacques Lusseyran); and on revolution in Russia (Breshkovsky and Sakharov).

Schedule + Tuition
2023/24 School Year Schedule
Days and Times
- Humanities classes meet Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, 8:00am to 10:30am PACIFIC TIME
- Enhanced Classes (Math-Science, and Grammar)
Grade 6 meet Monday and Thursday from 11:30am to 1:00pm PACIFIC TIME;
Grade 7 meet Tuesday and Friday from 11:30am to 1:00pm PACIFIC TIME;
We DO NOT offer Enhanced Studies for Grade 8 at this time. - Tuesday and Friday the 10 – 10:30 slot is a 30 minute “Office Hours” session. This time is used to help children requesting help, and to work with those not meeting their assignment deadlines or needing additional help; children who are up to date with work are not required to stay.
- Group Project Presentations: These are the culminations of Fall and Spring Units. Family members are invited and encouraged to attend to share in the student project presentations. Autumn Project Presentations, December 15. Winter Student Sharing, March 1st. Spring Student Presentations, June 14.
Session Dates
We realize that different families celebrate different holidays and have different family commitments. Therefore, we take a minimum of official breaks within any term and expect families to miss days as needed. We do ask that when your child misses a day he or she watches the recording of that class to stay in sync with the work and the group.
- Autumn Session, 13 weeks: September 11 through December 8th [breaks: Canadian Thanksgiving (Monday October 9th) and US Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday November 23 and 24)]. Project Presentations December 8th.
- Winter Break Begins December 11th and goes through January 1st
- Winter Session, 8 weeks: TUESDAY, January 2nd through February 23rd. [breaks: MLK Day (January 15)]; NO Projects this session.
- Spring Break begins February 26th and goes through March 8th
- Spring Session, 13 weeks: March 11th through June 7th ; (break: Memorial Day, May 27]. Project Presentations June 7th.
Annual Tuition
Humanities: $2800
(virtual) Math, Science, and Grammar: additional $1200 (totaling $4000 for all courses for the year)
(homeschool) Math, Science, and Grammar: additional $800 (totaling $3600 for all courses for the year)
- Spots are filled on a first-come, first served basis. Space is limited
- Sliding Scale Tuition: We offer a SLIDING SCALE option; simply fill out the linked form and return with your tax forms.
- Reading Materials: CORE reading materials are included in the fee. These are made available through the RedShelf digital textbook program. The public texts used in the winter unit are available at your local library or through Amazon or Audible online.
- Supplies: You will be provided with a list of journal, art, and project materials needed for each course. These you purchase locally. Materials needed include a sketchbook and drawing, painting, and geometry (ruler, protractor, and compass) supplies. Cultural craft materials cost about $30 per unit.
- Payment Plans: Payments can be made one of three ways: 1) the deposit plus remainder of the year in full; 2) the deposit plus three quarterly payments; or 3) the deposit plus eight monthly payments, paid by credit card only. There is a $10 fee per additional payment for the payment plans. See table below for a breakdown of tuition payments.
Payment Plans
Deposit | Payment Plan Choices |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single payment completion* of | 3-Quarterly Payments‡ of | 8-Monthly Payments° of | ||
Humanities only | $280 | $2520 | $850 | $325 |
Humanities + (Virtual) Enhanced Studies | $400 | $3600 | $1210 | $460 |
Humanities + (Homeschool) Enhanced Studies | $400 | $3200 | $1077 | $410 |
Deposit is required to hold your child’s space. *Single payment begins with the deposit, with the remainder due on June 1st (or immediately upon later enrollment), and does not incur any administrative fees. |
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‡ Quarterly payment system begins with the deposit and continues with payments on June 1st , October 1st, and January 1st. If enrolling after June 1st, the deposit and first payment must be paid in full by September 1st; the remaining payments are due on October 1st, and January 1st. | ||||
° The Monthly Payment system begins with the deposit and continues with payments June 1 st through January 1st, . If enrolling after June 1 st , all payments due to that point must be paid upon enrolling. Remaining payments will continue monthly through January 1 st. |
* For your homeschool credit, Enki will provide you with a Course Description, Verification of Completion (assuming regular attendance and completion of work), and an evaluation. To date, once submitted, these have always been accepted for credit by every state and province where application has made, both in the U.S and across Canada. Some states will also ask that you submit a portfolio – for this, you simply photograph the student’s good book – made in class – and send that in digitally. Historically, these have not only been accepted, but are routinely greeted with much enthusiasm!