About Us
Hudson Valley Consortium fosters collaboration among educators, students, and communities. We aim to enhance educational opportunities and support lifelong learning through innovative programs and resources.
HVC has been operating for over twenty years. We have been able to continue this successful program because of the dedication and fellowship of all of the families involved.
Our program is not only able to offer excellent academic classes, but also offers an array of activities like Mock Trial and Science Olympiad. We also have a FULL social calendar that includes parties, dances, field trips and family nights!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HV Consortium?
HVC is a homeschool program. We offer both academic and enrichment courses. We also offer extracurricular opportunities.
Our mission is to assist Christian homeschool families in their mission to educate their children with a Christian worldview.
We are neither a co-op nor a school. Occasionally, families mistake our program for an inexpensive private school. We are in no way a school and make no claims to be a school. It is important that all new families understand that while we are not a co-op, we offer many opportunities for parents to volunteer and be involved in the program. In fact, our success relies on parental support and involvement.
Will my child still be able to get into college if I homeschool?
Yes! You do not need Consortium for this. However, listed below are some of the colleges Consortium students have been accepted to in the last few years.
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· Binghamton – SUNY
· Christendom College
· Clarkson University
· Cornell University
· Dartmouth College
· Duke University
· Covenant College
· George Washington University
· Gordon College
· Highlands College
· Hillsdale College
· Hamilton College
· Houghton College
· Hudson Valley Community College
· LeMoyne College
· Liberty University
· Middlebury College
· Plattsburgh - SUNY
· Purchase College – SUNY
· Stonybrook - SUNY
· The College of St. Rose
· The King’s College
· Patrick Henry College
· Penn State University
· Schenectady Community College
· Princeton University
· Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
· Siena University
· UCLA
· Union College
· University at Albany - SUNY
· University of Massachusetts at Amherst
· University of Notre Dame
· University of Pennsylvania
· Wheaton College
Will my student be able to handle the coursework in college?
Yes. Most of our graduates find the transition to college very smooth. After all, they have been following a similar schedule of limited class time and have been working independently. In fact many of our students are honor students at their colleges.
Will my student be able to thrive in college if I home school?
Yes. You do not need Consortium for this to happen either. However, Consortium graduates tend to be very involved in their colleges. For example, graduates have used their college years to start international non-profits, lead college mission trips, and become college publication editors, radio station directors and presidents of political clubs on campus.
Do your teachers have degrees?
Most of our teachers have degrees. Some are certified teachers. Several have masters or doctorates in their field.
How many students are enrolled?
Just under 200.
What does HVC cost?
Teachers are subcontracted to teach a given subject. You pay them directly. Classes cost between $100.00 -$250.00 a semester. At registration families pay only for classes they choose. A study hall costs $70 a semester. In addition there is an administrative and an insurance fee per family each semester.
Can anyone join?
We are a Christian homeschool program. Our members are all Christian homeschool families. Parents and students are required to sign a non-denominational statement of Christian faith. Regular church attendance is required. References may be requested.
Our application process includes an interview component. We will want to meet with you to make sure that your family is a good fit for our program and to make sure we can meet your needs. This is also provides you an opportunity to tour our program and ask questions.
What social opportunities will my student have at HVC?
Consortium offers clubs, competitions, a prom, dances, game nights, festivals, many field trips and a graduation ceremony. We have winning Mock Trial and Science Olympiad teams.
Will my student be graded?
Yes. Our classes are graded by the teacher or an assistant. Students are expected to complete their homework assignments at home each week.
Is this really a non-denominational Christian program?
Yes. Our members belong to many different denominations from around the Capital Region.
Do I need to take a certain number of classes?
Yes. Each student must take a minimum of 3 classes.
What classes must my child take?
You are in charge of your child’s education. You may pick whatever you think best fits the needs of your home school program. However, if you need guidance as to how to home school and comply with state standards we have veteran home school families that can help your family plan.
How does a day at HVC look?
Students begin and end their day by signing in/out. Students rotate to their given classes or study halls. Lunch is at 12:00pm. There are study hall and front desk monitors to help students with any issues that arise during the day. Students are coming and going home at different times depending on their schedules. The front desk monitor supervises students waiting to be picked up.
What happens at Lunch Period?
We highly encourage students to stay for lunch. It is an excellent way to get to know other students. Middle school students eat in middle school designated lunchrooms. High school students have a separate lunchroom. Seniors have the option to leave campus if they have written approval from their parents. We usually have a hot lunch option available. Parents receive emails detailing these options and their cost.
Can my student come hang out between classes?
No. This is a formal program. Students must be in a class or a study hall at all times.
Do I have to volunteer?
This is a volunteer run program. If possible, we would really appreciate your help. We offer options to buy out of volunteering if you have a season when volunteering is difficult. Our volunteer commitment is low. Typically 4-8 hours per semester per family. Some events are only 1-3 hours.
How much work is expected of parents?
Parental involvement ranges from hours every week to those who just drop off their students and leave. Many parents donate big chunks of time in order to keep our costs very low. We rely on parental participation to help keep costs low.
Is this an online program?
No. Consortium’s philosophy is that most students benefit more from live instruction and interaction with likeminded peers than from video instruction. We have found that our model not only is more engaging to most students, but it helps students thrive in college and the real world. The mix of home and HVC yields very positive results.
Is HVC only for highly academic students?
No. While we do seem to have more than our fair share of very bright students, this is not our sole focus. We offer both rigorous and less challenging classes. Our mission is to help students with different ability levels.
Why are some classes divided up in unusual ways?
Consortium is designed to supplement a family’s home school experience. This means that some subjects are divided very differently than schools. We offer pieces of some topics, optional tutoring labs and different levels of help. For example, a student with strong math help at home may only be interested in the social experience of group problem solving and games in our math enrichment classes. Another student may be interested in a math instruction class. Another may need instruction-based classes and two math tutoring slots to meet their needs. Our English classes work in a similar manner. One student may be interested in only taking a literature class for the experience of being in a class with a peer group. Another family may need help with basic skills like spelling and grammar. We also offer challenging college courses. Families choose which classes will meet their needs.
How do I register?
The first step will be to contact us to make an inquiry and fill out an application. We are happy to answer your questions. All approved applicants will be invited for a tour and interview. Since we keep our number of students constant we are only replacing people that have moved or graduated. Tours begin as early as September for the following school year. We have registration in May and December. If you are interested in the program, don’t delay! Some years we have a waiting list!
Can I get a refund on a class?
No refunds are provided following the end of the registration period.