Home Education Enrichment Day
About Us
About HEED
The Home Education Enrichment Day (HEED) was founded in 2004 to meet a pressing need many homeschooling parents faced: providing strong support for their high school students to finish well. For over 20 years, HEED has upheld a standard of academic excellence through gifted instructors, college preparatory coursework, and a community of like-minded families. Serving thousands of local students in the Boca Raton area, HEED has become a trusted partner in home education for many families.
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HEED also offers students the opportunity to earn over 30 live college credits through dual enrollment partnerships with Palm Beach Atlantic University and Southeastern University, helping prepare them even further for college success.
In addition to our high school offerings, HEED now provides hands-on elementary classes (k4-5th grade) that emphasize play-based learning, along with a half-day elementary STEAM program designed to inspire curiosity and creativity in young learners.
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Directors: Sue Puchferran, Jeanne Campbell, Giovana Cavarretta, Liz Barber
HEED was founded by three homeschooling moms, Sue Puchferran, Liz Barber and Jeanne Campbell, with backgrounds in engineering, law and psychology. Together they have over 80 years of combined experience educating their children at home, as well as assisting 1000's of other families. HEED students have been accepted at over 100 different universities, received countless scholarships, and have gone on to every career imaginable.
Homeschooling is exploding as a viable choice for families wanting the best education for their children. There are several reasons families choose to homeschool. 91% of homeschool families are concerned about the school environment. 77% want moral instruction and 64% want that to include religious instruction. 4% want better academics for their children.
In the past home school critics would argue that home schoolers won't be socialized or won't be able to go to college. These concerns have proven to be completely unfounded. The home schoolers of yesterday are amazing, responsible young adults who are successful in all areas of study and in amazing careers across the spectrum.
With previous concerns debunked, the main objection today is that families are afraid to embark on this scary journey into unchartered water. To some the responsibility seems overwhelming; but with HEED's help, you can experience the joys of successfully educating your children at home. We have over 80 years of combined experience and look forward to helping you along the way.
As directors we bring 80 years of experience educating our own 12 homeschooled children and over 20 years working together assisting home school families in South Florida. We will help you to select courses, set up structure, and bring a quality education to your children. We also help families with their sports, extracurricular, athletic, college, etc. questions and concerns.. You are not alone.
HEED offers a complete scope and sequence for K-12 students in a hybrid learning style that is at a college preparatory level. . Today traditional schools are learning in the middle of a storm how to teach one or two days a week and have students then go out and work independently. We have been practicing that "hybrid" model with our instructors and students for over 20 years.
A homeschool hybrid learning program is a unique learning experience that utilizes the best elements of both homeschooling and classroom instruction taught online and/or on location. It allows for the benefits of the safe, relaxed environment of individual homeschool while still providing expert instruction, evaluation and accountability.
HEED offers live local classes from grades K4-12 in Boca Raton, Florida. We also offer over 30 live credits of dual enrollment for college credit. For the elementary ages we offer 1,2,or 3 days of Adventure hands-on-learning days. Including a ½ day Innovation STEAM program.
HEED is NOT a school, it is a homeschool hybrid learning program to be used as a tool for families educating their children at home. Some 6-12 grade students attend HEED for one or two classes while others opt to take a full day of classes. Qualified instructors teach interactive classes both live on location and live online, preparing lesson plans for students to master work throughout the week, and providing feedback and evaluation on each student's work. The K4-5th grade program offers a play based pearning program.
HEED has no specific denominational or cultural focus and is doctrinally acceptable to a broad range of conservative Christian denominations. For more information, please see our statement of faith.
HEED is a Covenant program for Christian families. Families attending HEED local classes are required to sign the Statement of Faith in agreement. Families enrolling in HEED classes should understand that the classes are taught from a biblical worldview; and must agree to the beliefs set forth in the Statement of Faith. Regular family church attendance is a high value at HEED.
Enrollment opens around April 1st for the following school year.
Families open a family account in the RegiSTAR program and enter each student’s information.
Local students must submit letters of recommendation and participate in an interview after which HEED Directors will approve a family to move forward and select their HEED local classes. .
After students are placed in a class, a deposit is required to hold their seat. All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tuition must be paid in full by August 1st or September 1st for elementary.
Yes, HEED is an approved provider for the Step Up scholarships PEP and UA programs. Families are required to pay their tuition and fees upfront to HEED on the scheduled payment dates. Once each payment has cleared, HEED will provide an invoice which families can download on their family’s financial account page. Families can then submit this invoice, along with their proof of payment, to Step Up for reimbursement.
Please note, HEED is not a direct provider for Step Up and cannot be purchased through their marketplace. Enrollment in HEED requires a detailed application and a family interview before approval into our programs.
Students must take a placement test prior to placement in math and English classes only. Proper placement is essential to a student’s success. We want to be sure students are placed at the level in which they will be most successful. We do not want to keep them back or set them up for failure. (6th grade does require placement tests, not 7th grade math)
Although many of them are, not all HEED instructors are certified teachers. We seek out and secure well educated experts who love God and are passionate about their respective subjects. HEED instructors include lawyers, scientists, engineers, pastors, college professors, psychologists, accountants, high school teachers, and more. Real-life experience combined with an excellent grasp of the subject, and a passion to pour into the next generation are the characteristics that make HEED instructors the best! For bios of our instructors for each program, see the Instructors page.
The first and primary teacher of every child is their parent. We have taken all of the guess-work and uncertainty out of homeschooling by providing a complete homeschool hybrid learning program. The HEED instructor is a facilitator, instructing the student in class, while the parent oversees the student during the week. We provide you with the instruction and confidence, while you stay engaged in the process. Parents must oversee the work and see that it is submitted on time and with integrity. Parents must keep open communication with instructors; and are often asked to sign off on completed work, or to grade work with answer keys. Although many exams are automated online, parents may still have to proctor some exams and quizzes. HEED allows parents the time to discover and learn with their children and, more importantly, grow in their relationship.
HEED curriculum is chosen based on the directors’ 80 years of combined experience educating students at home and preparing them for college and careers. We examine the scope and sequence covered, academic content, biblical worldview (where applicable) and learning compatibility with the home education platform. We use textbooks as well as living books. Our selections for middle school prepare students for success in high school. Our high school curriculum prepares them for college or a career. The elementary program uses a customized curriculum written by our instructors to bring creativity and adventure to learning.
Each level of the program has a scope and sequence listed on their program page that will help families see what courses are typically taken in which grade. But we are here to help. Just click on the Advising tab on the top menu. It provides the help you need to customize the right courses for your student.
Appropriate placement is essential to a student’s success in any course. Consequently, students can select courses from different grade levels. It is a high priority that students be placed in a class commensurate with their ability so they can best succeed. All math and English classes require a placement test prior to the student placement. College level dual enrollment courses are only available to students in grades 10 through 12 with some exceptions for 9th graders.
Dual Enrollment classes are college classes for 10th, 11th and 12th graders. They count for both high school and college credit. HEED partners with Palm Beach Atlantic University and South Eastern University to offer our students over 30 college credits when they complete our courses.
HEED middle and high school students’ work will be evaluated by their instructors and in most cases, they will be given suggested grades. However, as homeschooling parents, ultimately your students’ grades come from you and you have the option to adjust their grades as you see fit. HEED Adventure elementary students do not receive grades.
Class sizes typically range from 8-18 students, with the exception of college classes, which may be larger.
For the majority of our classes, tuition does not cover books and materials. Some courses have a course fee that could cover lab supplies, digital courseware, materials, curriculum or special events. A complete list of required books and materials for each course is provided on the course description page of each of our programs.
Fees are listed on the course descriptions page. After students are placed in classes, a deposit will be required to hold their seats. Partial payments can be made throughout the summer and all tuition must be paid in full by August 1 or September 1 for elementary. As a Step Up provider it is required that all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Payments can be made online by bank draft or credit card. The first payment for a class is due after a student is approved for placement in the course. We are sensitive to the challenge of paying in full for multiple classes at one time, so we have a standard schedule for each term. 30% of the total ($100 registration, the total course fees, and tuition) is due upon placement in a class. The balance is due before classes start (Aug 1 or Sept 1 for elementary)
Regular attendance is very important for success in a HEED class as students are receiving an entire week of instruction during their weekly class time. However as a homeschooling family, we understand that flexibility is important at times. If a student must miss a class they should always make arrangements ahead of time with their instructors so they do not fall behind.
Students in local classes will require an at home computer with internet access and a working printer.
The HEED Local middle and high school classes use our LMS called Toolbox. The HEED Adventures elementary program uses Google Classrooms.
The HEED High School courses are 32 weeks
The HEED Middle School courses are 30 weeks of classes and two weeks of presentation days. (science fair, Shark Tank, International Day etc.)
The HEED Elementary program is 28 weeks
HEED local classes meet at a wonderful location in NE Boca Raton, FL.
Recognizing that different people have different standards of modesty, we ask students to proactively take a conservative approach to dress that reasonably avoids offense to anyone. Please see Handbook for specific dress code rules. Click here to see Handbook. Students in HEED Local Adventures and HEED Local Middle and High School classes must wear uniform t-shirts.
Because our space is limited HEED High School students may only stay at HEED if they have a free period between classes. They are not permitted to have more than one free period in a row. Students must not come early or stay late.
If HEED Middle School students have a free period, they must sign up for a monitored study hall period or parents can opt to come and stay with their middle schooler or pick them up for their free period.
All HEED Adventure full day students k - 5th grade stay for lunch. HEED Local Middle and High School students are only permitted to stay during lunch if they have a class period both before lunch in the morning and a class after lunch in the afternoon. All students must bring their lunch from home.
Our Math and English classes, along with our SAT and ACT prep class, have prepared our students for success in their college applications and in earning scholarships. Our students have attended college and universities across the country and internationally. In addition, we have had many National Merit Scholars graduate from our program.
If you are homeschooling and registered with your county, your student will need to either complete a year-end evaluation (which we especially recommend for younger students) or take a standardized test. HEED has qualified instructors who can both administer evaluations and provide standardized testing.
Additionally, if you are registering as a homeschooler with the Step Up For Students program, you will be required to take a year-end evaluation. This evaluation can either be administered at home or taken at HEED in the spring, offering flexibility to meet your family’s needs.
HEED’s evaluations and tests are designed not just to fulfill requirements but to equip you with a clear understanding of your child’s progress—helping you teach with confidence and grace.
HEED can provide record keeping for your student and produce a homeschool transcript for you for a fee. The records and support package is a great choice for those families desiring more assistance. You will receive expert advice and guidance as you select classes and organize your homeschool experience. We also offer workshops to help you with this.