Frequently Asked Questions
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Light of the World offers flexible participation options for homeschooling families, with 1, 2, and 3 day membership options available depending on each family's needs and cohort availability.
Our days are intentionally designed to balance faith, academics, creativity, outdoor exploration, and meaningful friendships. Children participate in a rhythm that may include:
Faith Time (Bible study, prayer, character development, and service projects)
Reading, writing, and math enrichment
Nature exploration and outdoor play
Science, art, and hands-on projects
Social connection and collaborative learning
Life skills and leadership opportunities
Light of the World is a faith-based social and learning collective that supports homeschooling families by providing a Christ-centered community where children can grow in faith, wonder, wisdom, and friendship alongside their learning at home.
Because we value flexibility and responsiveness to our families, specific rhythms and offerings may evolve from year to year as the community grows.
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Light of the World is supported by experienced, faith-centered learning guides who love working with children and creating a safe, nurturing environment. All guides undergo background checks for the safety of every child in our community.
Alexa Oliveri, Founder, leads the vision of Light of the World Collective, supports families and ensures the community remains rooted in faith, connection and aligned learning support.
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Light of the World is an independent homeschool learning collective, graciously hosted in partnership with Hope Church in Wilton, Connecticut.
We are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to gather in their welcoming space, with access to shared indoor areas, parent gathering spaces and outdoor environments for nature-based learning.
Our partnership with Hope Church allows us to gather in a supportive environment rooted in faith, love and community — creating a warm and nurturing space for families and children.
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While we acknowledge we live in a digital age, Light of the World Collective is intentionally a tech-free space. We prioritize hands-on exploration, real-world problem solving and the use of traditional tools like books, pencils, nature materials and creative projects.
Our goal is to give children a refreshing break from screens — nurturing focus, imagination, social interaction and a deep presence in the moment.
If families choose to integrate technology into their child’s learning, we simply ask that it be used outside of Collective hours to maintain the integrity of our tech-free rhythm.
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Families join Light of the World Collective through a monthly membership that provides access to weekly gatherings, guided academic enrichment, faith-based programming, materials, and the broader community experience.
Membership contributions may be made monthly, bi-annually, or in full. Families who choose to pay in full receive a 10% tuition discount.
As an intentionally small community, we strive to keep participation as accessible as possible while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the collective. Flexible payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis, and families are welcome to reach out directly to discuss their unique circumstances.
We believe every family should feel empowered to explore whether Light of the World is the right fit for their homeschooling journey.
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Faith is woven into the rhythm of our time together through Bible stories, scripture-based activities, worship music, crafts and conversations about God’s love.
We cultivate a joyful, Christ-centered environment where children grow in their understanding of Jesus and how to follow Him in everyday life.
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We believe parents are the primary educators of their children, and Light of the World Collective exists to support and enrich that role.
Our community is built around meaningful relationships, shared experiences, faith-filled learning, and a commitment to growing together. Through weekly gatherings, children and families have opportunities to build lasting friendships, develop character, and engage in a vibrant Christ-centered community.
As part of the application process, we take time to thoughtfully get to know each family and discern together whether Light of the World is a mutual fit. Because we intentionally keep our cohorts small, we seek families who are excited to actively participate in and contribute to the life of the community.
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Light of the World Collective exists in the heart of a beautiful New England town where public schools are celebrated — yet many families feel called to something more aligned with their values.
We offer a different kind of support for homeschooling families — one that prioritizes connection, faith and a more intentional rhythm of childhood. Rather than handing children over to a system for most of their days, we support families in creating a life that reflects what matters most:
• Strong, healthy attachment to family
• God-centered identity
• Nature-based, curiosity-driven exploration
• Entrepreneurial and creative thinking
• A community of parents who take an active role in raising the next generationWe are not focused on test scores or standard outcomes — we are here to support families in raising children rooted in faith, character and purpose. We believe lasting change begins in the home and in the heart of each child.
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No, you do not have to be Christian to join Light of the World Collective.
We simply ask that families are open to a Christ-centered environment rooted in love, community and shared values.
An open heart and a curiosity about who Jesus is, what He can do in your life and how we can walk in love and service together is all that’s needed.
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Light of the World Collective offers flexible participation options for homeschooling families, with 1, 2, and 3 day membership options available based on cohort placement and availability.
Membership tuition varies depending on the number of days selected and supports participation in weekly gatherings, academic enrichment, faith-based programming, materials, and the overall community experience.
Founding Family tuition rates are available for families who enroll by July 1, 2026. Tuition rates may increase in future years as the collective grows and expands its offerings.
The collective follows a September through June rhythm, allowing children and families to build meaningful relationships, establish consistency, and grow within a strong Christ-centered community. To preserve the integrity of the cohorts, we do not offer drop-in participation.
From time to time, families may be invited to contribute toward optional experiences such as:
• Field trips and hands-on learning experiences
• Guest speakers, workshops, and special events
• Enrichment materials and community projectsAny additional costs will always be communicated in advance and kept reasonable.
Because Light of the World is intentionally small, enrollment is limited and spaces are offered through an application process designed to ensure a strong mutual fit between families and the community.
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Light of the World Collective was founded by Alexa Oliveri and is supported in partnership with the Hope Church community.
The collective is guided by a small leadership team that helps steward the vision, support families and ensure the community remains aligned as it grows.
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Mixed-age learning is a core part of our philosophy and offers meaningful benefits for children at every stage.
Older or more academically advanced children are supported through deeper exploration, leadership opportunities and mentoring roles, rather than being held back. Guiding and modeling for younger peers strengthens confidence, communication and mastery of skills.
Younger children naturally stretch and grow by observing older peers, building independence and motivation.
For families coming from more traditional models, many find that children grow in new ways — developing leadership, collaboration, self-direction and a renewed love of learning while continuing to progress at their own pace.
Our goal is not to rush children, but to support each child in growing confidently and fully right where they are.
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Light of the World Collective exists to support and enrich each family's homeschool journey—not replace it.
We believe parents are the primary educators of their children. Our role is to come alongside families by providing a Christ-centered community where children can build friendships, engage in academic enrichment, explore their God-given gifts, and grow in faith alongside their learning at home.
Through weekly gatherings, children participate in a balanced rhythm of faith formation, academic enrichment, creative exploration, outdoor play, and meaningful social connection. These experiences are designed to complement and enhance the learning already taking place within the home.
Each family remains fully responsible for their child's education and homeschool approach. Light of the World provides a supportive community, shared experiences, and opportunities for growth that strengthen the work families are already leading.
Our desire is to partner with parents in cultivating a love of learning, strong character, and a lifelong relationship with Christ.
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The Lambs cohort is designed to be a joyful, nurturing, and engaging environment where young children can grow in faith, friendship, curiosity, and confidence.
To help create a positive experience for everyone, children participating in The Lambs cohort must be fully potty trained prior to the start of the program year and able to participate in a group setting with gentle guidance and support.
We believe parents are the primary educators of their children and an essential part of the Light of the World community. Families are expected to support the values and mission of the collective and contribute to the life of the community through occasional volunteer opportunities, special events, service projects, field trips, or other areas of need throughout the year.
Our goal is not simply to create a place for children to gather, but to cultivate a Christ-centered community where families grow, serve, and build meaningful relationships together.
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Yes. Light of the World Collective is being intentionally built with growth in mind.
Based on family interest and community feedback, we plan to expand beyond The Lambs and The Lighthouses to include additional learning collectives serving children through age 17. Our long-term vision includes The Builders (upper elementary and middle years) and The Shepherds (teen years).
Expansion will be guided by community interest, prayerful discernment and our commitment to keeping each group intimate, well-supported and aligned with our values.
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We intentionally maintain small group sizes with a low adult-to-child ratio to ensure each child is known, supported and cared for.
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Membership at Light of the World Collective reflects a full-year commitment (September through June) to support consistency, relationships and a strong sense of community.
Families may choose to make membership contributions in full, in two installments or monthly. This commitment allows the collective to thoughtfully plan for guides, space and materials for the year ahead.
If a family needs to step away during the year, membership contributions for the full year remain in place unless the space is filled by another family.
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Parent involvement is an important part of the Light of the World community. While parents are of The Lighthouse children not expected to be present during regular gathering days, families are asked to support the collective through occasional volunteer opportunities, community events, service projects, field trips, and other areas of need throughout the year.
Our weekly gatherings are led by our learning guides, allowing parents the flexibility to attend to work, family responsibilities, or personal commitments during program hours. At the same time, we believe thriving communities are built through shared participation, and we encourage families to contribute their unique gifts and talents as opportunities arise.
Light of the World is more than a program for children—it is a Christ-centered community of families growing, serving, and learning together.