Classes & Activities for Homeschoolers

A list of institutions and businesses that regularly offer classes or activities for homeschoolers in the greater Pittsburgh area. 

***updated 9/8/19*** New entries added, and listings deleted if they don't show any sign of currently offering homeschool classes.

All-Star Athletics and Gymnastics: http://www.allstarathleticsandgym.com

Ascend Climbing Gym: https://www.ascendpgh.com/youth

Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania: http://aswp.org/pages/homeschool-programs

Beaver County YMCA (homeschool gym and swim): https://beavercountyymca.org/youth/

Bethel Park Community Center: https://bethelpark.net/recreation/community-center/

Cabaret Theatre: http://thecabarettheatre.com/

Carnegie Museum of Natural History: https://carnegiemnh.org/educator/homeschool-classes/

Carnegie Science Center:  https://carnegiemuseums.org/things-to-do/learn-with-us/kids-families/homeschool-programs/

Citizen Science Lab: https://www.thecitizensciencelab.org/

Climb North: http://www.climbnorth.com/index.php/classes

Eliezer Stable (horseback riding): http://www.eliezerstable.com/home/

Fern Hollow Nature Center: http://www.fhnc.org/homeschool_programs.aspx

First Tee of Pittsburgh (golf): http://www.thefirstteepittsburgh.org/

Flight Trampoline (homeschool discount days): http://flighttrampolinepark.com/pittsburgh/hours-and-price/special-discounts/

Gymsport (Parkour): http://www.gymsport.com

Heinz History Center: http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/education/homeschool-programs

Keelboat Farms: http://www.keelboatfarms.com/

Lindsey's Tumbling: https://lindseystumbling.com/ 

Lutherlyn Equestrian Center:  https://www.lutherlyn.com/programs/lec/student-programs.html

Maeflower Farms: http://www.maeflowerfarms.com/store/c2/Educational_Classes.html

MySTEM Academy: https://www.mystemacademy.com/homeschool-program/

Neville Island Roller Drome (twice monthly homeschool skate): http://www.nevillerollerdrome.com/

Outside the Box Labs: https://www.outsidetheboxlabs.com

Outta Theatre Grove City: http://www.outtatheatre.com/ 

Phillips Park Rec Center (homeschool PE): http://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/rec-centers/info.html

Phipps Conservatory: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/classes-and-programs/for-children/for-homeschoolers/

Pittsburgh Zoo: https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/schoolgroups/

Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA (homeschool PE):  https://rose.bcfymca.org/Post-Programs-Sports/Homeschool-Cyber-School-P-E-Program

South Hills Music Academy: https://www.southhillsmusicacademy.com/

Stage Right (theater): https://www.stagerightgreensburg.com/artsineducation

Step Up at St. Vincent (a variety of classes): http://www.stvincentstepup.org/

Tang Soo Do Karate College Robinson: https://www.facebook.com/TangsoodoRobinson

Ton Pottery: https://www.tonpottery.com

Urban Air Trampolines (homeschool jump): https://www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com/locations/pennsylvania/cranberry/weekly-activities

Washington County Parks at Mingo Creek: http://www.co.washington.pa.us/164/Parks-Recreation

Westmoreland Homeschool Prom: https://westmorelandhomeschoolprom.wordpress.com

X-cel Gymnastics: https://www.xcelgymnastics.com/

Also check out Pittsburgh Cares (volunteer opportunities; use Advanced Search to search by age): https://www.pittsburghcares.org

Most of these I've learned of through homeschool message boards on Facebook. There are many, for different neighborhoods, age groups, etc. but the majority are "secret" groups that nonmembers cannot find by searching for them on Facebook. If you are new to homeschooling, you will need to ask others what are the most useful message boards they have found, and if they can add you.

A Note About Homeschool Co-ops 

Homeschool co-ops are by far the most popular way for homeschoolers in the greater Pittsburgh area to find organized activities. They meet on a regular basis during the school year, usually once a week on the same weekday in the same location. If you are interested in finding a co-op that's a good fit for your family, ask around and be as specific as you can about what you are looking for (ages of kids, location you are looking in, if you require faith-based, inclusive or secular co-ops, etc.). Be aware that some co-ops hire professional teachers and will give instruction in core academic subjects, possibly offering graded classes that earn high school credit, while others offer only unpaid parent-taught classes that are mainly "fun electives". As a rule they require parents to pitch in and volunteer in some way, and it's more usual for parents to be required to help teach than not. Some may offer limited drop-off options for older teens (usually for an extra charge).