Academic
Four Square Academic is a Christian community that meets on Wednesdays for two 12 week terms in Byron Center, MI. It is a drop-off program and parents are not required to volunteer. We welcome and encourage families to join us for hymn-sing chapel at 8:45am.
We offer a variety of classes designed to meet the different needs of preschool, elementary, middle, and high school students.
Beginning at 9am, first through eighth grade students rotate through five classes taught in a unique environment integrating Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, the effective Finland model, and movement-based learning. Parents will gain community, accountability, feedback, and support while preserving the home education experience for their student. Students will have lessons in History, Geography, Literature, Science, Nature Study, and Grammar + Composition.
Four Square Academic is designed to complement Four Square Enrichment or stand on its own, based on parent preferences. If you are unable to join our in-person classes, we encourage you to check out Without Doors – a Bible, Geography, History, Literature, Enrichment, and Nature Study curriculum for 1st-8th grade inspired by and used at Four Square Academic.
Finland Model
Finland is world-renowned for their successful students. They counterintuitively school for shorter days and give less homework. They are efficient with class time and maintain high academic standards for students. Finnish schools do not put an emphasis on regularly testing students, rather, on each student gaining a full understanding of the concepts and content.
Lessons are 15-45 minutes and are followed with a 5-15 minute movement break. Physical activity and play have been confirmed to aid students in processing information and reinforcing lessons.
Four Square Academic implements this effective model as a framework for lessons on Wednesdays.
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason was a classical educational reformer in Victorian England at the turn of the twentieth century. She dedicated her entire life to education, wrote volumes describing her timeless educational methods, and trained educators in her unique educational philosophy – a philosophy so rich that it continues to be studied and used in homes and classrooms across the world today. Her motto for students was
"I am, I can, I ought, I will."
Charlotte Mason emphasizes oral narration to demonstrate comprehension in the early years, making a smooth transition into written narration for older students. Living literature, copywork, object study, recitation, character development, keeping a Book of Centuries, habit training, and nature study are some of the highlights of a Charlotte Mason education that are integrated into the lessons at Four Square Academic.
Movement based learning
Students thrive when they experience purposeful movement during learning. We integrate movement-based activities that activate memorization and enhance understanding. Four Square Academic provides a variety of opportunities for students to sit, stand, jump, clap, walk, etc during lessons.
Four Square Academic offers a rest from our high-tech world. Students rely on classic learning tools such as physical books, physical maps, pencils, paper, etc instead of engaging heavily with technology. There is some integration of technology as a helpful tool, but it is minimal to avoid it becoming a hindrance or distraction.
Academic Classes
2026-2027
9am-2pm
$1050/year
*Preschool is 9am-noon* $750
Letters Letter of the Week + Storytime + Poetry
Numbers Games + Songs
Nature Nature Walks + Nature Art + Object Study (Bugs, Rocks, Flowers, etc.)
Sensory Engaging the 5 Senses
History Bible Stories + Songs
Geography Introduction to Geography
Science Nature Walks + Nature Journaling + Object Study (Insects, Birds, Rocks, Flowers, etc.)
Literature Living Books + Nature Lore + Copywork
Recitation Scripture + Poetry
Geography Introduction to Geography
Literature Living Books + Poetry Recitation
Spelling Copywork from Literature
Science Wildflower, Bird, Tree, and Reptile Study
Nature Study Nature Walks + Nature Lore + Nature Journaling
History Middle Ages + Renaissance + Reformation
Geography Medieval + Explorations
Literature Living Books + Poetry Recitation
Spelling Copywork from Literature
Science & Nature Study Forest School + Nature Lore + Nature Journaling
History Middle Ages + Renaissance + Reformation
Geography Medieval + Explorations
Literature Living Books + Poetry Recitation
Grammar & Spelling Introduction to Grammar + Written Narration + Copywork
Science & Nature Study Forest School + Nature Lore + Nature Journaling
History Middle Ages + Renaissance + Reformation
Geography Medieval + Explorations
Literature Living Books + Poetry Recitation
Grammar & Spelling Introduction to Grammar + Written Narration + Copywork
Science Land Animals
Nature Study Nature Walks + Nature Lore + Nature Journaling
History Middle Ages + Renaissance + Reformation
Geography Medieval + Explorations
Literature Living Books + Poetry Recitation
Grammar, Composition & Spelling Grammar Lessons + Written Narration + Dictation
Science Land Animals
Nature Study Nature Walks + Nature Lore + Nature Journaling
History Middle Ages + Renaissance + Reformation
Geography Medieval + Explorations
Literature Living Books + Poetry Recitation + Commonplace Book
Grammar, Composition & Spelling Grammar Lessons + Written Narration + Dictation
Science Exploring Creation with Chemistry & Physics
Nature Study Nature Lore + Nature Journaling
Wednesdays from 12:20-1:50pm
4-6 year olds
$400/year
Students will be outdoors in all weather and need high quality winter/rain gear. Students will be exploring God’s creation, hiking, identifying trees, looking at ecosystems, searching for critters, playing nature games, looking at the patterns of leaves and tree bark, finding animal tracks, and other hands-on nature activities.
Your investment in Four Square Academic includes activities best experienced in community, support, feedback, and student accountability. Students will be given assignments to complete throughout the week in their homeschool setting. Four Square Academic will issue feedback for elementary and middle school, and formal grades for high school. Four Square is designed to be an extension of home education, preserving the parent as educator. The classes are designed to enhance, not replace, instruction at home. There is a required, non-refundable, non-transferable registration fee of $50 per student. The Preschool enrollment rate of $750/student includes 24 weeks of classes from 9am-noon. The K-8th grade enrollment rate of $1050/student includes 24 weeks of classes from 9am-2pm.
All students are responsible for bringing classic school supplies and will need access to literature for follow-up reading at home.
Four Square Academic complies with Michigan law regarding home education, according to section 380.1561.
Academic Supply List
2026-2027
The supply list includes links to suggested literature and supplies. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra expense to you. The HSB, Inc. is our recommended resource for new/used literature.
Please have your student wear:
Four Square Apparel
Tennis Shoes
Please have your student bring:
Backpack
Water Bottle
Sack Lunch
Snack
Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan
1. A Mighty Fortress is Our God (1529)
2. Now Thank We All Our God (1636)
3. The Lord’s My Shepherd (1650)
4. Fairest Lord Jesus (1677)
Semester 1: William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Semester 2: George Herbert (1593-1633)
Pencils
Pencil Box
24 Crayons
Safety Scissors
Glue Stick
Ziplock bag with extra pants, underwear, socks
Outdoor Gear (coat, boots, etc.)
Without Doors: Preschool (optional for at home)
Pencils
Pencil Box
24 Crayons
Washable Markers
Basic Watercolor Set
Safety Scissors
3 Glue Sticks
Ziplock bag with extra pants, underwear, socks
Outdoor Gear (coat, boots, etc.)
Nature Journal (spiral or hardcover with watercolor paper)
Copywork Journal (wide lines for easy penmanship)
Seed Babies, by Margaret W. Morley
Old Mother West Wind, by Thornton Burgess
Without Doors: Kindergarten (optional for at home)
Pencils
Pencil Box
Basic Colored Pencil Set
Basic Watercolor Set
Scissors
Glue Stick
Nature Journal (spiral or hardcover with watercolor paper)
Copywork Journal (wide lines for easy penmanship)
Narration Notebook (lined and blank notebook)
Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan (one per family)
A Child’s History of the World, by V.M. Hillyer (**use BN Publishing version with 91 chapters) (one per family)
Castle, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Cathedral, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Insect Anatomy, by Julia Rothman (one per family)
A Lion to Guard Us, by Clyde Robert Bulla (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Birds of the Air, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Insect Life, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Fables, by Arnold Lobel (one per family)
Little Sir Galahad, by Lillian Holmes (one per family)
Maps & Globes, by Jack Knowlton (one per family)
My Father’s Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett (one per family)
The Sword in the Tree, by Clyde Robert Bulla (one per family)
The White Dove, by Christoph von Schmid (one per family)
*See the History Living Picture Book List.
Pencils
Pencil Box
Basic Colored Pencil Set
Basic Watercolor Set
Basic Washable Marker Set
Scissors
Glue Stick
Notebook
Folder
Nature Journal (spiral or hardcover with watercolor paper)
Copywork Notebook (lined for clear penmanship)
Narration Notebook (lined and blank notebook)
Grammar Lessons: Part 1 and Part 2, from A Delectable Education
Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan (one per family)
A Child’s History of the World, by V.M. Hillyer (**use BN Publishing version with 91 chapters) (one per family)
Castle, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Cathedral, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Marco Polo, by Manuel Komroff published by Living Book Press (ages 8+) (one per family)
Insect Anatomy, by Julia Rothman (one per family)
A Lion to Guard Us, by Clyde Robert Bulla (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Birds of the Air, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Insect Life, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Fables, by Arnold Lobel (one per family)
Little Sir Galahad, by Lillian Holmes (one per family)
Maps & Globes, by Jack Knowlton (one per family)
My Father’s Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett (one per family)
The Sword in the Tree, by Clyde Robert Bulla (one per family)
The White Dove, by Christoph von Schmid (one per family)
*See the History Living Picture Book List.
Pencils
Pencil Box
Basic Colored Pencil Set
Basic Watercolor Set
Basic Washable Marker Set
Scissors
Glue Stick
Notebook
Folder
Nature Journal (spiral or hardcover with watercolor paper)
Copywork Notebook (lined for clear penmanship)
Narration Notebook (lined and blank notebook)
Grammar Lessons: Part 1 and Part 2, from A Delectable Education
Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan (one per family)
A Child’s History of the World, by V.M. Hillyer (**use BN Publishing version with 91 chapters) (one per family)
Castle, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Cathedral, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Marco Polo, by Manuel Komroff published by Living Book Press (one per family)
Insect Anatomy, by Julia Rothman (one per family)
A Lion to Guard Us, by Clyde Robert Bulla (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Birds of the Air, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Insect Life, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Fables, by Arnold Lobel (one per family)
Little Sir Galahad, by Lillian Holmes (one per family)
Maps & Globes, by Jack Knowlton (one per family)
CHOOSE: My Father’s Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett (one per family) OR The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli (one per family)
The Sword in the Tree, by Clyde Robert Bulla (one per family)
The White Dove, by Christoph von Schmid (one per family)
Apologia Exploring Creation with Zoology 3, 2nd Edition (one per family)
Land Animals Journal (hard-cover watercolor journal)
*See the History Living Picture Book List.
Pencils
Pencil Box
Basic Colored Pencil Set
Basic Watercolor Set
Basic Washable Marker Set
Scissors
Glue Stick
Notebook
Folder
Nature Journal (spiral or hardcover with watercolor paper)
Copywork Notebook (lined for clear penmanship)
Narration Notebook (lined and blank notebook)
Grammar Lessons: Part 1 and Part 2, from A Delectable Education
Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan (one per family)
A Castle with Many Rooms, by Lorene Lambert (one per family)
A Child’s History of the World, by V.M. Hillyer (**use BN Publishing version with 91 chapters) (one per family)
Castle, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Cathedral, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Marco Polo, by Manuel Komroff published by Living Book Press (one per family)
Insect Anatomy, by Julia Rothman (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Birds of the Air, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Insect Life, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Fables, by Arnold Lobel (one per family)
Little Sir Galahad, by Lillian Holmes (one per family)
The Bible Smuggler, by Louise A. Vernon (one per family)
The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli (one per family)
The Sword in the Tree, by Clyde Robert Bulla (one per family)
CHOOSE: The White Dove, by Christoph von Schmid (one per family) OR The Apple and the Arrow, by Conrad Buff (one per family)
Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History, by Richard M. Hannula (one per family)
Apologia Exploring Creation with Zoology 3, 2nd Edition (one per family)
Land Animals Journal (hard-cover watercolor journal)
*See the History Living Picture Book List.
Pencils
Basic Colored Pencil Set
Basic Watercolor Set
Scissors
Glue Stick
Notebook
Folder
Nature Journal (spiral or hardcover with watercolor paper)
Copywork Notebook (lined for clear penmanship)
Narration Notebook (lined and blank notebook)
Grammar Lessons: Part 3 and Part 4, from A Delectable Education
Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan (one per family)
The Book of Centuries
A Castle with Many Rooms, by Lorene Lambert (one per family)
A Child’s History of the World, by V.M. Hillyer (**use BN Publishing version with 91 chapters) (one per family)
Castle, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Cathedral, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Birds of the Air, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Eyes and No Eyes: Insect Life, by Arabella Buckley (one per family)
Marco Polo, by Manuel Komroff published by Living Book Press (one per family)
Insect Anatomy, by Julia Rothman (one per family)
Adam of the Road, by Elizabeth Janet Gray (one per family)
A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park (one per family)
I, Juan de Pareja, by Elizabeth Berton de Trevino (one per family)
The Apple and the Arrow, by Conrad Buff (one per family)
The Bible Smuggler, by Louise A. Vernon (one per family)
The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli (one per family)
Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History, by Richard M. Hannula (one per family)
Apologia Exploring Creation with Zoology 3, 2nd Edition (one per family)
Land Animals Journal (hard-cover watercolor journal)
Pencils
Basic Colored Pencil Set
Basic Watercolor Set
Scissors
Glue Stick
Notebook
Folder
Nature Journal (spiral or hardcover with watercolor paper)
Commonplace Book (hardcover, lined for clear penmanship)
Copywork Notebook (lined for clear penmanship)
Narration Notebook (lined and blank notebook)
Short Grammar of the English Tongue: Year One, from A Delectable Education
Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan (one per family)
The Book of Centuries
A Castle with Many Rooms, by Lorene Lambert (one per family)
A Child’s History of the World, by V.M. Hillyer (**use BN Publishing version with 91 chapters) (one per family)
Castle, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Cathedral, by David Macaulay (one per family)
Marco Polo, by Manuel Komroff published by Living Book Press (ages 8+) (one per family)
Insect Anatomy, by Julia Rothman (one per family)
Adam of the Road, by Elizabeth Janet Gray (one per family)
A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park (one per family)
I, Juan de Pareja, by Elizabeth Berton de Trevino (one per family)
Insect Adventures, by Jean Henri Fabre (one per family)
The Apple and the Arrow, by Conrad Buff (one per family)
The Bible Smuggler, by Louise A. Vernon (one per family)
The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli (one per family)
Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History, by Richard M. Hannula (one per family)
Apologia Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics (one per family)
Optional Family Resources
Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare, by Edith Nesbit
Famous Men of the Middle Ages, edited and updated by Rob & Cyndy Shearer
Fleas, Flies, and Friars: Children’s Poetry from the Middle Ages, by Nicholas Orme
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village, by Laura Amy Schlitz
How the Bible Came to Us, by Meryl Doney
Living in a Medieval City,Living in a Medieval Village, Living in a Castle, all by R.J. Unstead
Mansa Musa and the Empire of Mali, by P. James Oliver
Runner in the Sun, by D’arcy McNickle
Sir Malcom and the Missing Prince, by Sidney Baldwin
Tales from Shakespeare, by Charles and Mary Lamb
The Magna Charta, by James Daugherty
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, by Howard Pyle
The Pied Piper of Hamelin, by Robert Browning
The Vikings, by Elizabeth Janeway
The World of Columbus and Sons, by Genevieve Foster
Thrown to the Wind, by Amanda M. Cetas
*Charlotte Mason assigned a Shakespeare play per term for students aged 9+. Consider reading, listening to, and/or watching a play per term.
Challenge Book List
Crispin, by Avi
The Black Arrow, by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Boy Knight, by G.A. Henty
The King’s Fifth, by Scott O’Dell
The Second Mrs. Gioconda, by E.L. Konigsburg
The Trumpeter of Krakow, by Eric P. Kelly
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ALL WEATHER
Backpack
Water Bottle
Extra Clothes
Orienteering Compass
SUNSHINE
Sunscreen
Bug Repellent
Hat (to protect from sun)
Sunglasses
RAIN
Tuffo Rain Suit or Frog Togg (two-piece rain gear)
Rain Boots
Bug Repellent
SNOW
Winter Jacket
Snow Pants
Winter Hat
2 Pairs of Gloves (waterproof)
Neck Gater
Waterproof Winter Boots
Wool Socks
Base Layers – Long Johns
Academic Calendar
Open House
August 18
Classes
September 10, 17, 24
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
November 5, 12, 19
December 3
High School Science: December 10
High School Science: April 28
Poetry Celebration
Wednesday, April 22 from 2-3pm
High School Graduation Ceremony
May 8 @7pm