FAQs

High School Teachers

Laura Estes: American Literature, Photography, & Culinary Arts

Laura Estes is a life-long resident of the Manhattan-Wamego area. After graduating from Wamego High School, she attended Kansas State University, earning a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in special education. She taught 6th grade at Flint Hills Christian School prior to being a stay-at home mom. Laura has been married to her husband, Ray, for 23 years. They have four children: Rachel, 20, Jonathan, 17, Abigail, 14, and Matthew, 10. They also have a black lab, Max, and 6 chickens. 2023-2024 is the Estes family’s 10th year of homeschooling. Laura loves baking bread and decorating sugar cookies, reading, antique hunting with coffee in hand, Mexican food, photographing her kids’ sporting events, feeding a crowd, and leading ladies Bible study.

Hannah Stewart: Worldview

Hannah is a Manhattan native and wife to Kirk. Together, they have two little boys- Elliot (2) and Jack (4 months). Hannah was homeschooled from grades K-12 and graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Dietetics in 2019. She has worked doing nutrition counseling, college dining foodservice operation, and child nutrition foodservice operation prior to having children. She believes creation reveals God's handiwork and is excited to explore this with students in the field of biology this year. In her free time, Hannah enjoys playing the piano, working out, going on dates with her husband, and drinking plenty of coffee.

High School Parent

Q:	Will The Classical Orchard provide a transcript for my student?
A:	No. Teachers will provide progress reports and semester grades, but the responsibility of placing grades on high school transcripts rests with the parents. If you need guidance on how to build a high school transcript, please talk with our high school director, Becca Perry, or other moms who have graduated students.

Q:	How will I know if my student’s class will meet at the beginning of the school year?
A:	Teachers will have a minimum requirement for student enrollment. Once that minimum is met, you will be notified via email that the class is official.

Q:	What if my child is enrolled in a class, but we need to drop it? Will that be allowed?
A:	Due to the payment structure of teacher contracts, students may drop a class before classes meet. If a student drops a class before the first 3 weeks of class, you will forfeit one-third of your class tuition. If you drop it after 4 weeks, you forfeit your entire class tuition.

Prospective Teachers

Q:	Will I be allowed to select my own curriculum?
A:	The short is answer is, “yes.” The Orchard Board will review curriculum choice and evaluate class syllabus to verify that they fit the community’s mission and vision.

Q:	What is the main form of communication?
A:	We will rely on email communication as well as utilizing our site support, homeschool life. During orientation in the late summer, you will be taught how to use this practical and intuitive site to maximize your communication with your students. It’s an easy platform to navigate.

Photos

Q:	Who do I submit community pictures to?
A:	We have set an email to send any community photos that are taken during the school year! Please submit all photos to [email protected].

Claritas