What is Eclectic Academy?
Eclectic Academy is not a school, charter, umbrella program, or State-recognized institution. It is a free, eclectic resource hub designed to help Pennsylvania families launch and sustain a secular, eclectic, child-led homeschool that meets all PA legal requirements, without dogma, without AI, and without “Freehand” neglect. We also help provide information for the Pennsylvania GED. We are a non-profit that simply wants to give to the community of the State we grew up in.
Think of us as your compass in the woods:
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Guides written by Evelyn L. Green (2025)
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Built on Slanaitheoirism, a philosophy of nature connection, identity, and human creativity
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Focused on history, folklore, herbalism, self-discovery, and real-world learning
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Zero religious affiliation; fully secular, inclusive, and grounded in curiosity and ethics
Our Core Beliefs
(Note: AI can be used correctly, such as simplifying an overcomplicated assignment you've been given in order to understand what it says. Using incorrectly is having it do the work for you.)
We Stand For
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Intentional Unschooling: Child-led with active adult facilitation
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Human-only learning: Handwritten work, real books, nature journals, mistakes as teachers
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Nature as classroom: Forests, libraries, museums, kitchens, campfires
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Inclusive self-discovery: Gender, sexuality, possible therian/otherkin identity, mental health
We Stand Against
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“Freehand” Schooling: Zero guidance, dangerous, legally risky, harms long-term growth
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AI-generated: Essays, art, lesson plans, or answers
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Screen-dependent education: No cyber charters, no algorithm-driven “learning"
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Indoctrination of any kind: Religious, political, or otherwise
Our Story
Eclectic Academy began in 2025 as a living guide, not a school. Written and curated by a group of people who went through public schooling, private schooling, religious schooling, or homeschooling of various kinds, it was born from a simple truth: "Children don’t need rigid systems to learn, they need wonder, guidance, and freedom to grow into themselves."
But freedom without structure is neglect, and structure without soul is prison.
So Eclectic Academy became the middle path. A secular, ethical, nature-rooted framework for homeschooling under a philosophy that honors:
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The importance of nature
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The power of human creativity
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The safety of body, mind, and spirit
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The beauty of identity in all its forms
We are not registered with the State.
We are not an umbrella.
We are not a charter.
We are a beacon.
A collection of maps, tools, warnings, and encouragement for families who want to homeschool intentionally, legally, and deeply, without dogma, without AI, and never with “Freehand” neglect.
Our roots stem from Slanaitheoirism, a Gaelic-inspired term/philosophy for healing and guiding. Not a religion. Not a cult. A way of seeing:
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The Earth is alive and deserves respect
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Every child is a fledgling, not a student, not a product
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Learning is healing, growth, and connection
We weave mythology, witchcraft, history, herbalism, philosophy, and identity into Pennsylvania’s required subjects, not as belief, but as tools for critical thinking, empathy, and self-mastery.
You Don’t Enroll, You Begin.
Eclectic Academy isn’t a program you join.
It’s a fire you carry.
Read the guides.
Light the candle.
Step into the "woods".
Your child’s education isn’t a product.
It’s a living story, and you’re the author.
“We don’t teach children what to think. We teach them how to wander wisely.” - Founders of Eclectic Academy
Not Associated With
Places, schools, and organizations we refute and/or are not associated with and/or close to. In summary: We do not know these personally, and we do not want to.
We mention them for one reason: We may share a name to some extent, but we do not share purpose.
Jill Dixon Eclectic Academy of Learning is known as a strict, conservative Christian homeschool. We are not associated as we are secular with vastly different beliefs to each individual. For a school that calls itself "eclectic," being centered around religion defeats the purpose of being eclectic. Then again, eclectic means varied, diverse, mixed, and assorted. (Eclectic Definition: deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.)
We had this one pointed out to us, but we are not this individual (It is run by an individual), and try as we may, we could not find further information. All we have are reviews on a Yelp page about this place. Know that we are not associated because we will never hold classes ourselves or ask you to pay a fee.
We could not find much information on this past a Facebook group, but as we are not from Georgia, we are not associated.
We could not find much information on this past a GuideStar page; we are not associated.