by Anne B. Thomas
Mission Statement
The goal of Thomas Home Micro School is to give a foundation of essential skills and a love of learning that will allow its students to gain the confidence to become their greatest selves.
Click here to see My Home Schooling Philosophy
In evolving our homeschool into a micro-school, I’m keeping the same beliefs and practices as I have in my homeschooling, and seeking for the best interest of each child in my home as if they were my own.
Contact Information
Thomas Home Micro School
A PreK-6 school
Run and taught by Anne B. Thomas
Business Hours Mon – Thurs 9am-2pm
480-298-1454
Tuition
July 2026 – May 2027
Full-time micro-school students
| School hours | Tuition | **Cooking & Nutrition (opt) | |
| PreK (only accepted with registered sibling) | Mon- Thurs 9:30-11:30am | *$1050 per quarter | Not applicable |
| Half day | Mon – Thurs 9:30-11:30am | $1050 per quarter | Not applicable |
| Full day | Mon – Thurs 9:30am- 2:00pm | $1260 per quarter | $125 + $125 supply fee per quarter |
Part-time enrichment for homeschool students
| School hours | Once a week Tuition | Twice a week Tuition | **Cooking & Nutrition (opt) | |
| Half day | 1-2 days M-Th 9:30-11:30am | $265 per quarter | $530 per quarter | Not applicable |
| Full day | 1-2 days M-Th 9:30am- 2:00pm | $315 per quarter | $630 per quarter | $225 per quarter |
Tuition is paid quarterly and is nonrefundable. Tuition can be paid in full by an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA).
*ESA is not available for preschool. Preschoolers must be fully potty trained. Preschool can be paid weekly at $30/day.
**I’d love to teach your child cooking and nutrition skills by helping them cook lunch for our group once a week. If you don’t love that idea, they are welcome to bring their own lunch.
We also offer tutoring or homeschool coaching at $35 per half hour session.
Rules and Expectations
About me and how I teach:
I have been teaching homeschool since fall of 2008 and have made tweaks every year to make my teaching better and use our time more efficiently. I teach the whole group when I give lessons. I focus on one student at a time during individual practice time. Your child will be taught like one of my own children in my home.
I teach language arts, math, social studies, and science once a week. The kids practice language arts and math every day during “daily practice.” I make time for music, exercise, art, projects, educational games and videos, playing outside, cleaning, and cooking (see Cooking Lessons, pg 11) often. I have the older ones help the younger ones from time to time.
I’m a very active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I include prayer and a scripture story at the beginning of each school day. I add scripture references to my teaching as I feel is applicable. We also say a prayer before we eat our lunch.
What’s expected of students:
Clothing – Students should wear modest clothing that covers their shoulders and torso and goes down to at least mid-thigh for shorts and top of the knee for dresses and skirts. Nothing offensive or distracting will be allowed.
Supplies – Each student will need a water bottle to be brought with them daily. Students who will be here through lunch that won’t be participating in cooking lessons will need to bring their lunch daily.
Each student will need certain supplies for class time, some grade specific. Parents who want to purchase these supplies will be given a supply list. Parents who would like me to purchase the supplies can indicate that on registration forms. A one-time $50 fee will then be added to full-time tuition invoices, or $30 for part-time.
Behavior – Students will be expected to stay on the main level in our home during school hours. They should always act respectfully to themselves, the people around them, and the things around them.
Rules for the classroom will be written as a class and posted in the classroom and will be expected to be followed.
Students will be expected to do their part to learn and follow directions during school time. Sometimes they’ll be assigned tasks to help with activities and projects.
Students will be expected to help clean up after themselves and their classmates at the end of lunchtime and/or the end of their school day.
Classroom Discipline
Discipline means teaching one to be in control of themselves. For teaching children self-discipline, there have to be set consequences. I believe that consequences for good behavior are just as important as consequences for bad behavior. My schooling discipline plan is as follows. Keep in mind that they apply to my children as well as incoming students.
Good behavior
Getting ready before school = 1 fun day point
Completing work and following rules = 1 fun day point
Class earning about 200 funday points = a fun day
Bad behavior
Breaking a rule 1 time = Warning
Hurting someone, or breaking a rule 2 times = 1 Strike
3 Stikes = do copy work & lose a fun day point
4 Strikes = time out and call to parents
4 Strikes on 5 different days = Find a new school
*Students may do a small teacher-approved act of service to erase a strike.
Most of the time that there is repeated bad behavior, it’s because of a need. I will do my best to discover that need and take care of the child. If I notify you about your child’s bad behavior, it’s because your help is needed in meeting their need.
Fun Days
A “fun day” could be a class celebration, movie related to our studies, or special projects that are different from our normal school days. The number of points to earn a “fun day” will vary depending on the number of students, with the aim being for them to earn one every 4-6 weeks.
To accommodate all the part time students, on the day of the fun day, any kids who don’t usually come that day will be invited to join us from 9:30 – 11:30 free of charge.
Homework
Homework for full-time students will only be for special projects, unfinished classwork, or needing extra practice in a certain area. Keep in mind that no teaching I give in reading will replace the benefits of a child being read to by their own parents. Make time to read with your child often!
The first day there will be a homework assignment to be completed with parents titled “Morning Agenda.” Being ready in the morning sets the tone for a good day. The morning agenda will be a simple list of things to do in the morning to get ready for the day. At the beginning of each school day the class will be asked to raise their hands if they finished their morning agenda, and points will be awarded toward a “fun day.”
Grading/Assessment
I will not be creating report cards or grade reports for my students. Rather, assessment will be done by checking assignments, participation, and quizzes and keeping records for myself. I will periodically contact parents about progress I see in their children. If I feel that any students are not making progress, or not making an honest effort, I will notify the parents and ask for their help.
If your child will be attending a new school after Thomas Home Micro School and the new school requests a report card, I can make one at your request.
Friday Recess
I organize a small homeschool recess group on 2 Fridays a month. We meet for an hour at various local parks. My students and their parents are invited to come and play. I’ll notify parents at least a day ahead about when and where recess will take place.
Injuries, Sickness, and Absence
If any student should have a minor injury during school time, I will administer first aid as needed. If there is more than a minor injury, I will administer first aid and call parents right away.
For sicknesses with minor symptoms, please have your child wear a mask while attending school. I will likewise have my children wear masks if they are sick but well enough to come to class.
For serious sickness, please keep your child at home and let me know. If there is something I feel is important that they missed on that school day, I’ll email about it.
If one of my older children is seriously sick, I will have them stay upstairs during the school day and use bleach to clean the classroom before school. If one of my little ones is seriously sick, I will cancel school for the day and use the scheduled make-up days as needed.
Please text or call 480-298-1454 to report an absence.
End of Year Performance
During the school year we will be learning and singing songs. These songs will be performed for parents and families during the last week of school. We may also make time during this event to display artwork and share writing projects. This school year the performance will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2027, at 7pm.
Cooking and Nutrition Lessons
(Full day students only)
I love to teach cooking and nutrition! You may have your student participate in cooking and nutrition lessons, during which the students will take turns making lunch for our group. Teams of 2 or 3 students will have an assigned day to cook each week. Weeks with a holiday will be changed to let everyone get a chance to help with lunch.
We strive to eat a healthy diet, including whole grains, little meat, fiber rich foods, and a variety of textures and colors. Our definition of healthy does not mean sugar-free, fat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free or vegetarian. If you need/desire one of these specifications for your child’s diet, please let us know in the registration form, and we will happily see that these needs are met.
If your child participates in cooking lessons, they will need to follow the rules of the kitchen, which will be posted for them to see.
Rules of the Kitchen
- Students must always be supervised by the teacher or a parent helper while cooking.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before cooking.
- Long hair must be pulled back.
- Any sharp knives are to be carried with caution, and only by students over 8 who are being supervised.
- While the stove or oven is on, the cooks may not leave the kitchen area. Only age 10 and up will be allowed get food in and out of the oven, always with supervision.
- Good cooks clean up after themselves.
Aprons are encouraged but not required. Your child may bring their own apron, or I can make a plastic bag apron for them.
We also want to include your child’s favorites into our lunch menu, which you can list in the registration. The recipes might be tweaked to fit our time limits and nutrition plan.
Changes for individual and family circumstances
I understand that each individual and family are different and may have different needs. If there is something in my plan that doesn’t work with your needs, please let me know. One of the beauties of running my own business and doing home or micro school is the ability to make it fit the needs of those involved. I’ll be happy to discuss and compromise on an individual plan that can work for me and you.