Here at the Homeschool Hub, we are partnering with you to support your child’s homeschool education. We provide challenging courses to enrich your homeschool students’ development through opportunities to learn and grow in collaborative, hands-on classes.
Our program aims to be an inclusive environment where all students can feel welcome and thrive. We train all our teachers in meeting the needs of all types of learners and we value parent partnerships to help meet the unique needs of each student. In addition, to structured classes, we offer spaces for students to explore their curiosity in a safe, supervised, low-pressure environment.
All our classes are held on-site at the Northwest Cary YMCA. For more information, please check out our FAQs and learn more.
Official registration as a homeschooling student with the North Carolina Department of Education is required to participate in this program. All courses and recreational offerings are held at the Northwest Cary YMCA.
For questions about this program, please email Megan Runion or call 984-710-2726.
Our Homeschool Hub begins its spring semester on Jan. 30, 2023. The semester is 14 weeks and ends on May 18, 2023.
Registration is open for all.
Program Offerings
Use the links below to jump to specific program sections for the Spring 2023 Classes and Schedules.
Additional Information
Fees, Cancels and Transfers
Thanks to funds from our Annual We Build People Campaign, the YMCA of the Triangle provides financial assistance for children, teens, adults and families who cannot afford the full cost of YMCA programs. All are welcome to apply for financial assistance.
If your child is an NCSEAA grant recipient, the YMCA of the Triangle is now an official vendor and can be paid through ClassWallet for some of our classes. Please contact Megan Runio if your family is part of this program. We can help you utilize these funds to pay for Homeschool Hub classes.
The $25 deposit per class is non-refundable and non-transferable. THe YMCA can accept cancelations until Feb. 10, 2023 for a refund (minus the $25 non-refundable fee). After Feb. 10, cancelations are not accepted and you are still responsible for any outstanding/remaining draft payments.
Little Explorers: Age 4
Our four-year-old enrichment class is the place to prepare your child for kindergarten. In this class, students will participate in Letterland, Music, Art, and Centers.
Two Day - Little Explorers 8:45 - 12:45 a.m., Monday/Wednesday
This 3-hour class is the perfect place for your four-year-old to prepare for their first day of Kindergarten! In this class, your student will participate in a variety of hands-on activities such as Letterland, storytime, science, STEAM, art, movement, and play to prepare social-emotionally and academically for Kindergarten. Children must be 4 years old by August 31, 2022.
The instructional time for this class is from 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. with Rides In from 8:45 - 9:15 a.m. and Rides Out from 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.
Members: $760 | Participants: $874
Add-on story hour from 12:45 - 1:45 p.m.
Member Add-On: $182 | Participant Add-On: $209
Explorers: Ages 5 - 7
Our Explorers age group is designed for students who are not yet able to read and write independently. They will have a set schedule that they will follow with all their classmates. They may enroll in a half-day or full-day structure.
Monday/Wednesday
Full Day: 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Member: $700 | Participant: $840
Half Day: 9 - 10:55 a.m. or Noon - 1:55 p.m.
Member: $350 | Participant: $420
Thursday
Single Day Class: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Member: $175/class | Participant: $210/class
Elementary: Ages 7 - 11
Upper School: Ages 11 -15
We are offering half-day and full-day class options for elementary and middle school students. Class choices may be made at the time of registration.
Monday/Wednesday Full-Day Schedule:
9 - 9:55 a.m. - Class Choice 1
10 - 10:55 a.m. - Class Choice 2
11 - 11:55 a.m. - Lunch and Recess
12 - 12:55 p.m. - Class Choice 3
1 - 1:55 p.m. - Class Choice 4
Member: $700 | Participant: $840
Monday/Wednesday Morning Only Schedule:
9 - 9:55 a.m. - Class Choice 1
10 - 10:55 a.m. - Class Choice 2
Member: $350 | Participant: $420
Monday/Wednesday Afternoon Only Schedule:
12 - 12:55 p.m. - Class Choice 3
1 - 1:55 p.m. - Class Choice 4
Member: $350 | Participant: $420
Thursday Single Day Classes:
Thursday classes meet once a week - 9 - 11 a.m. and noon - 1:55 p.m.
Member: $175 | Participant: $210
Specialty Classes (Cooking, No Rules Sewing): Member: $220 | Participant: $263
Class Descriptions
Class Schedule (PDF)
Ages 7+
Discovery Labs
Lunch and Recess
Supervised lunch and outdoor time is the perfect break in the middle of the learning day. Lunch and Recess is a part of the YMCA Homeschool day and is free of charge for students enrolled in a full-day program. Lunch and recess are held every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 - 11:50 a.m.
Instructor Bios
Renee Banko
I grew up in NC and attended Campbell University, where I majored in Chemistry and received a Bachelor of Science degree. I worked in labs in the pharmaceutical industry for about 10 years. After my first child was born, I decided to leave the lab and become a stay at home mom. I have been a stay at home mom since 2009, and started homeschooling my son at the start of his 3rd grade year (2018). We are currently in our 4th year of homeschooling. I have always been a math and science person and enjoy teaching math and science to my own children, and others. As the Discovery Lab teacher, I guide the students towards enrichment activities based on their individual likes and interests. I really enjoy interacting with them, joining in games, crafts, and assisting with any homework students may bring from home.
Emily Behr
Emily Behr, ERYT-200, CYAEP, has over 10 years of experience teaching yoga to adults and children and has been practicing for over 20 years. She has trained over 150 instructors throughout the Southeast in a research-based youth mindfulness curriculum that she co-created (Growga®) and has launched the program in some of the largest fitness chains and school districts in North Carolina. Growga has also supported educators and youth development professionals through training to equip them with tools to share mindfulness in their classrooms and programs. Emily also has a passion for nature based learning. She is an avid gardener, hiker, and explorer who believes that exposure to the outdoors not only benefits humans’ physical wellness, but also their intellectual, emotional, and relational wellbeing. Emily is a homeschooling mother of two girls, both of who are enrolled in the classes at the NW Cary YMCA.
Barbara Cameron
Barbara Cameron is a homeschooling parent to a rising senior in high school and a college student. She loves teaching and learning, and spends as much time as possible in her textile art studio (aka basement). Before having kids, she taught biology at Durham Academy and 8th grade math and science at The Duke School, and has taught science and creative arts classes to homeschoolers for many years. She has degrees in biology from Mount Holyoke College and Duke University, as well as a degree in social work from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Mary Chyatte
Mary Chyatte has over 10 years experience tutoring math and science to students from middle school to the collegiate level. She has also worked in the Philadelphia Public School System during her years of service with Americorps. Her passion for math started at a very young age where she had the most inspiring teachers that pushed her to excel and really consider and grasp a deeper understanding of how to approach problems. Her favorite teacher, Lola J. May, consistently told students that real mathematicians learn to find the simplest solutions. And that the simple solution is often the most elegant. She is thrilled to be joining the YMCA teaching team, and hopes to instill a similar enthusiasm for learning in all of her students. Mary is a homeschooling mother of 4 - three of which will be attending classes at the NW Cary YMCA.
Andrea Diagonale
I have had over 31 years of teaching experience in both public and private schools. I have been a classroom teacher, reading tutor, school librarian, and a K-8 art teacher. I am endlessly inspired by the creativity, joy, and imagination of children. I firmly believe that creativity is an integral part of education. Through art, children are taught to tap into their innovative side to think creatively and problem solve. I am excited to be a part of the NW Cary YMCA Homeschool and to expose kids to the world of visual arts.
Janny Frazier
I have a math degree from UNC-CH and I am thrilled when a student grasps a concept that has been elusive and all of a sudden, the student can visualize the math problem in his/her mind, and from there, can solve almost anything.
Tina Hammer
Tina has homeschooled two of her three children all the way to college and is still enjoying homeschooling the third. She holds a BS degree in biology and enjoyed a career as a molecular biologist in agricultural biotechnology prior to discovering the joys of homeschooling. She has worked with many diverse groups of children over the years, in many capacities, and embraces individuality, even in group learning situations. She spent several years coaching and judging speech, debate and moot court in the homeschool realm. Tina’s love of learning and diverse interests have led her to an array of certifications and involvement with different types of agencies. She has also owned businesses creating, selling, and teaching how to create art, with her main focus being paper crafting.
Chelsea Knapp
Chelsea Knapp graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2012 with a degree in Music Education. She worked at Barriskill Dance Theater as the Vocal and Theater Instructor for eight years. In 2015, she started working with the Chapel Hill/Durham Homeschoolers teaching theater and music classes through Friday Enrichment. In 2017, she founded Piper's Players Homeschool Theater Company.
Cathy Pica
I have right at 20 years experience working with children in both Prek and Elementary School. I have homeschooled for the past 2 years and have loved the journey of exploring the individual learning needs of my 2 boys. I am excited to join a team that values that same aspect of homeschooling and am looking forward to providing that same individual learning with others! I love hands-on learning and seeing when things "click" through discovery! I am a Chatham County native residing in Pittsboro, NC with my husband, 2 boys, 2 dogs, a pig and a leopard gecko! We enjoy church, camping, gardening, hiking, cooking, metal working, sports and just being together!
Megan Runion - Homeschool Lead Teacher
Megan is a National Board Certified teacher with 11 years of experience in upper elementary school. She is also licensed in Middle School Math and Gifted Education. Megan is passionate about finding and meeting the individual needs of students and making sure that all students get what they need to learn and grow. She believes students learn best when they are engaged in project-based tasks that relate to the real world, and she enjoys providing authentic opportunities for students to have ownership of their learning.
Megan Stone
I'm a Florida native who has recently transplanted to the Triangle. I've been an elementary school teacher for 15 years, with the past 5 of those years as a gifted education specialist focusing on the social and emotional needs of intellectually gifted students. I'm excited for the opportunity to teach classes at the YMCA because of the freedom and creativity this format affords to both teachers and students. I am passionate about teaching through games, as it is a great way to engage learners while developing multiple skills simultaneously.