The Heartland Conference-Homegrown 2026

Registration opens January 12th at 10:00 a.m.

Heartland Charter School presents our third annual homeschool conference. We aim to leave all learning coaches and attendees with a restful, inspiring day, takeaways with immediate relevance, and a vision for their homeschooling journey. Attendees can expect practical tips and tricks. We will feature some incredible talent. It is sure to be an experience that will provide lasting memories. Lunch is included in the ticket price. We hope to see you there

Cost:

• One discounted ticket per Heartland family $15.00 (Must have a student currently enrolled in the 2025-2026 school year.)
• Additional tickets for Heartland family members $75.00
• General Public $75.00

The conference will offer three breakout session time slots: 11:00–11:40, 11:50–12:30, and 1:30–2:10. Attendees may choose one session per time slot from a total of nine breakout options. You must reserve tickets for the three sessions you wish to attend. Breakout sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are expected to fill quickly 

Choose from the following breakout sessions:

Our Brains on Education: Using Neuroscience for Effective Homeschooling: Ever wondered what's going on inside your kid's head? Discover the basics of neuroscience and learn how to keep your students' brains primed for learning. We will discuss practical tips that you can use during a regular school day. 

The Human Touch in a Digital World: AI - is it good, bad, or neutral? We will explore the benefits and risks of AI, how to support critical thinking and creativity, and how to keep human connection and real-life experiences at the center of your students' education. Families will leave with strategies to help their students use AI wisely, safely, and with balance.

The Middle School Years: Helping Your Elementary Students Transition to 6th Grade and Beyond: Middle school is often overlooked as simply an extension of elementary school. However, these three years serve as an important transitional period for students as they develop foundational skills such as critical thinking, responsibility, and time management, which are crucial for the high school years. Join me to learn more about how you can prepare and support your elementary and middle-school aged children for the expectations and rigor of middle school and beyond!

Teach a 2nd (or 3rd) Language at Home!:Have you ever wanted to teach your children another language but feel overwhelmed? Join us for hands-on ideas that can be applied to any language and work for the whole family.

Homeschool like a Ninja: Stealthy Tips for Success: Homeschooling doesn’t have to feel chaotic—discover the stealthy routines, clever hacks, and practical systems that quietly bring order, confidence, and calm to your day. This session shares real-life strategies for teaching multiple ages, managing meltdowns, boosting motivation, and keeping your homeschool running smoothly behind the scenes.

The following roundtable small groups are more intimate breakout sessions. Gather with up to 9 other homeschool parents around a table to learn, share, and discuss ideas. If you thrive in a smaller, more personal group, we hope you will join us for one of these special sessions.

Homeschooling with Heartland: Beyond the Early Years (High School with Heartland is a great option!): Join us for an encouraging breakout session designed specifically for parents navigating the high school journey! Discover how High School with Heartland offers individualized, accredited courses that keep the heart of homeschooling alive while preparing your teen for college, careers, and life. Learn about transcripts, earning college credit while in high school, extracurricular options, and more. Come see why Heartland truly does offer a unique plan for each student!

Preparing your Middle School Student for High School (College and Career pathways post high school): High School is Around the Corner, Let’s Get Your Student Ready! Middle School Families, let’s explore preparing for high school together. We’ll discuss what your student can do now to set themselves up for success in high school and beyond. Learn about the variety of middle school curriculum options, so your student can become familiar with these same platforms in high school before juggling 5-6 classes and turning in 5-6 work samples each LP. For your high-achieving homeschoolers, let’s dive deeper into what it means to take high school classes in middle school. College credit while in high school, how does your student get a jumpstart? Gather around the table, you’ll be guided through it all.

Preparing your High School Student for a College or Career Pathway Post High School: Empower your high school student’s future! During this breakout session, we will explore college and career pathways, including community college and 4-year university routes, vocational programs, financial aid, A-G requirements, and competitive application steps. Learn how to search for local jobs, choose high school courses wisely, and use powerful exploration tools to help your student find their passions and future direction.

Homeschooling Through Difficult Seasons: Are you a homeschooling parent persevering through a difficult time? Whether you are battling a chronic illness, caring for elderly family members, or grieving the loss of a loved one, we want to come alongside you during this season. Homeschooling parents find themselves in a unique and challenging situation as they navigate life’s difficulties while simultaneously educating their children. In this small group session, we will discuss the importance of identifying your priorities amidst chaos. We will share practical ideas for simplifying your life to make difficult seasons easier, and provide resources that can lighten your load. We hope you will walk away feeling encouraged and equipped.

Please read our refund policy!

Refunds will not be given for any reason. As a courtesy, if you are sick or unable to attend, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist.

What are the check-in procedures? Check-in begins at 8:30. Visit our welcome table to check in and receive a gift.

Who can attend? The conference is for adults only. Nursing infants are ok.

Is there on-site parking available? Yes, free parking is available.

How do I contact the event organizer?

Name: Sarah Conley

Email: [email protected]