Bringing community, nature, and learning together | An Initiative of The Grounded Life
Hello local homeschool families! I am so incredibly excited to officially launch High Hopes Academy, a 100% tuition-free, mobile kindergarten micro-school cohort right here in the Kern River Valley. Whether you are a veteran homeschooler or completely new to this wild journey, my goal is to build a tight-knit community where our little ones can socialize, explore nature, and grow together.
Our official, collaborative school year won't kick off until September 16, 2026—but our community starts right now! ---
Before the formal school year begins, let’s get our kids together to play, chat, and break the ice. We will be hanging out at the Lake Isabella Library Branch throughout July for their amazing, free community events.
Look for me and my kids during these weekly blocks—come sit with us!
Every Tuesday @ 10:30 AM: Bright Start Family Storytime (followed by free lunch at noon!)
Every Tuesday – Friday @ 12:00 PM: Free Lunch at the Library (a great time for the kids to eat and socialize together)
Tuesday, July 14 (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Mobile Health & Resource Unit Day & Search & Rescue Dog Visit!
Friday, July 17 (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM): The Wildlands Conservancy Interactive Ranger Day (perfect for our nature-loving model!)
I’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make this school year seamless for you. Check out our brand-new digital spaces:
🌿 Our Online Hub: Check out our new website to read about our mobile classroom model and see our full kindergarten framework.
📝 Now Enrolling: Our Google Form application is officially open! Head to the "Join" tab to apply. Space in our nature cohort is intentionally limited to ensure high-quality individual attention.
📋 Free Form Downloads: Check out our "Resources" at the bottom of the home page to grab your printable 180-Day Attendance Tracker and 36-Week Portfolio Logs to get a head start on your home organization.
Enjoy the sunshine, and I can't wait to see you at the library on Tuesday!
With high hopes,
Michele Peden
Founder, Grounded Life & High Hopes Academy