Please scroll down to see course descriptions. 

While registering, simply select the sliding scale option that your family can afford.

We are committed to creating a community that is as financially accessible as possible. To achieve this, we trust that families contribute fairly while self-selecting from our sliding scale for tuition fees. We are grateful for your generous support as we continue to develop awesome educational opportunities for young people with low learner-guide ratios, no mandatory volunteer commitments, and high-quality staff.

When selecting a sliding scale level, please note that Sliding Scale 1 and 2 are designed for families who can not afford the tuition rate that fully supports our programming.

Payment plans are available for your child’s registration in three or more days, with 35% required to secure their enrollment. Please request via email to have a plan set up for you. From time to time, we also have limited financial aid available. Please inquire by emailing jgreen@amikolearningcenter.org. Material Fees, which are in addition to tuition, are a fixed rate, and non-refundable.

In this course, learners will use a variety of media to build their skills and understanding of how art functions as a method of communication. They will have the opportunity to create two and three dimensional artwork in ways that support problem-solving, individual expression, and experimentation. We will practice thinking critically about our artistic process and products with group discussions that build analytical and communication skills. Over the course of the semester, discussions will increasingly be driven by leadership of the children. Historical and modern references will add to the construction of our artistic knowledge.

In this course, learners will use a variety of media to build their skills and understanding of how art functions as a method of communication. They will have the opportunity to create two and three dimensional artwork in ways that support problem-solving, individual expression, and experimentation. We will practice thinking critically about our artistic process and products with group discussions that build analytical and communication skills. Over the course of the semester, discussions will increasingly be driven by leadership of the children. Historical and modern references will add to the construction of our artistic knowledge.

Folding Paper, Opening Worlds: Making Comics and Zines for Humans

In this class, students will be empowered to tell their own stories through making their own comics and zines!  Ever had a fun story idea, but never finished writing it down? Ever learned so much about your favorite video game character that you could have written their Wikipedia entry yourself? You will probably enjoy the wonderful world of comics and zines, where everyone of every skill level can find a way to tell their stories or share their knowledge in an accessible way. 

Students will: 

– Learn fun tricks to make drawing comics fast and fun.

– Use collage techniques to make a zine about a topic they LOVE.

– Print copies of their own book and fold and staple it themselves.

– Share their comics and zines with the local community at a ZINE AND COMIC FAIR!

– Learn and enjoy their own unique way of writing, drawing, and making!

During Community Circle, which takes place on Wednesdays, we join together to learn about and support each other. With short guided activities like Show and Tell, making music, collaborative games, dancing, sharing jokes and riddles, and more, we will practice effective communication skills, develop empathetic relationships, laugh, and play together.

In Environmental Education, we will spend the morning exploring nature in Highland Park, in all kinds of weather. We are thrilled to collaborate with the Highland Park Conservancy in this course, to work with their volunteers as we engage in important work like removing invasive plants from the park. We will also learn and practice observational, collaborative, and basic hiking skills, engage in science-based investigations, sing songs, and be silly. We will use lessons, games, one-time and on-going projects, guides’ expertise, children’s curiosities, and spontaneous discoveries to shape our learning. This program is designed to foster increased awareness of our environment, personal responsibility, and joyful and respectful engagement with nature. Learners are responsible for carrying their belongings, wearing appropriate clothing, and abiding by all safety requirements. Learners may get dirty as they participate in this outdoor course.

In Forest School, we will spend the day immersed in nature, building our capability and confidence to enjoy the rich beauty of the forest in all kinds of weather. We will learn basic survival skills, develop our sensory skills, engage in science-based explorations, go on hikes, make art, sing songs, get silly, and become very dirty. We will use lessons, games, one-time and on-going projects, community circles, free play, guides’ expertise, children’s curiosities, and spontaneous discoveries to shape our learning. This program is designed to foster good decision-making, personal responsibility, self-initiated collaborations, and joyful and respectful engagement with nature. Learners are responsible for carrying their belongings, wearing appropriate clothing, and abiding by all safety requirements.

In this course, learners will explore the question “what is science?” while developing observational, questioning, and critical thinking skills. We will make and use models to represent and understand things we observe around us, ask questions both serious and funny, identify patterns and trends in data, and use evidence to support explanations for our discoveries. The course will begin with a survey of scientific topics and learners will identify topics of interest to focus on. Working both independently and collaboratively, learners will identify and work to answer questions about their chosen topics through simple research, conversations with scientists, and hands-on investigations.

In this course, learners will explore the question “what is science?” while developing observational, questioning, and critical thinking skills. We will make and use models to represent and understand things we observe around us, ask questions both serious and funny, identify patterns and trends in data, and use evidence to support explanations for our discoveries. The course will begin with a survey of scientific topics and learners will identify topics of interest to focus on. Working both independently and collaboratively, learners will identify and work to answer questions about their chosen topics through simple research, conversations with scientists, and hands-on investigations.

In this class we will learn about personal responsibility and serving our community.  We will begin by identifying what it means to serve our neighbors, and how service is a mentality, not just an action. We will then collaborate to discover service opportunities that are available to us and coordinate ways we can meaningfully contribute. As we participate in community outreach programs, we will discuss what we could, should, and will do to serve our communities.  We will also discuss the challenges that can arise because of our limited perspectives, and strive to gain more perspective. Much of this work will be done by reflecting as individuals, and as a group, and by actively keeping a journal to help document our learning as we go.The course goal is to encourage and enable children to examine their communities, develop empathy for others, understand the value to serving, and to work with those in need to develop actionable solutions.

In this course, enrollees are supported to investigate a topic of their own interest by using basic researching practices. After learning about the research process and determining a personal area of interest, enrollees are assisted to hone in on the scope of their research area, use planning and organizational tools, access a variety of resources to gather information, and analyze the validity and credibility of their sources. Then, they learn about ways to communicate their learning, and select a method that will promote further learning by others. Based on the areas of interest of the group, enrollees may choose to work independently, with partners, or in small groups. Group discussions are used to explore and practice effective communication, peer feedback, and critical thinking. The goal of this research group is to enable enrollees to feel capable and confident to engage in research regularly, to think carefully about the information they receive, and to shape their thinking with sound analytical skills and respect for a variety of perspectives. Enrollees will participate in hands-on and personalized activities that support them to understand research as a continuous cycle, in which our ideas and beliefs are richer when we actively engage with our curiosity about the world.