Welcome to B4G Academy

Serving Volusia County and Beyond...

B4G / Building for Generations Academy is the home for virtual & home school students. (Due to Covid-19, we are operating virtually. Our goal is to open a new facility sometime in 2025.)

We are a hub of resources for new and veteran homeschool families and our goal is to help strengthen the homeschool community with practical, useful and moral support to the virtual - homeschool families in Volusia County and beyond.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT

We help families create a

Productive Learning

Environment

at home

We foster and enhance students

learning experience with

opportunities to engage in

Peer to Peer Learning Sessions

We teach Parents and Students

how they can benefit from a

Flexible School Schedule

Help students to

Learn at Their Own Pace

and in their own way

UPDATE / NEWS

B4G Academy

386-626-2046

b4gacademy@gmail.com

for a one-on-one consultation

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

The Homeschool Network

OUR STORY

Debra Minshew is the owner of B4G Academy. Debra Purchased the business from her friend Inez Nazario-Vega in October 2021. Inez founded B4G Academy in 2017 when she was faced with the challenge of a decaying public school system in which her 12-year-old daughter at the time did not feel academically challenged and too distracted with traditional school peer pressure.

In search of a better educational option, Inez researched local charter schools and private schools. At the time, all nearby private schools were full with an extensive waiting list and were excessively above her personal budget to invest in her daughter’s education. With regards to charter schools, Inez faced a similar situation.

With the challenge of not finding an appropriate physical education system for her daughter, Inez researched into the virtual and homeschooling system. Inez and her daughter found this educational option very attractive. Six months into homeschooling, Inez’s daughter was thriving academically.

Also, many parents that Inez consulted with expressed a great interest in virtual and homeschool for their children, but unable to view it as an option because they are middle class working parents unable to leave their child(ren) alone at home to learn from the virtual school program.

With this in mind, B4G Academy was created. Creating a concept that closes the gap between traditional and virtual schools and providing an accessible option for parents with students that would like to explore and engage in a blended form of learning between traditional and virtual schools.

Debra was faced with the same issues as Inez when it came to her son's education. At the age of 9, Debra's son was struggling with a learning disability. Even with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), her son began to feel like a failure and was becoming depressed. At the time, Debra was a public-school teacher. She made the decision to stay home and homeschool her son.

When B4G Academy was opened, Debra's son was one of the first homeschoolers to join. Debra was passionate about not only helping her son succeed, so she volunteered her time to help other homeschool students.

When COVID-19 hit, the B4G Academy facility had to close. Debra is passionate about helping students, so she decided to purchase B4G Academy and hopes to reopen the facility.

B4G Academy provides parents and students an alternate school option that is accessible, affordable, and effective.

Our Mission

B4G Academy mission is to be an organization that promotes academic success. Our goal is to encourage students to achieve their full potential without the distractions in today's public education system or the high cost of private schools. We want to lead all students into a successful academic path at all stages of their education by fostering self-confidence, personal encouragement and a passion for learning.

Our Vision

Facilitating a student's successful transition from traditional school to homeschool or a virtual - online learning program.

Coaching students and parents how to create a productive learning environment.

We foster and enhance students learning experience with opportunities to engage in peer-to-peer learning sessions.

We teach parents and students how they can benefit from a flexible school schedule.

Help students to efficiently learn at their own pace and in their own way.

We provide mentors and learning coaches to help students achieve academic success.

Programs and Services

Homeschool Portfolio Evaluations

A Homeschool portfolio is a record of what your child has learned and the educational progress that was made throughout the homeschool year. Examples of items to keep in the portfolio are:

*Work samples from the beginning, middle, and end of the school year.

*Artwork

*Pictures of projects or field trips.

*A list of books read.

*A list of resources used.

Evaluations are offered virtually or in person.

Consultations

Unlock the full potential of homeschooling with our expert consultations. Personalized guidance and support to help you create a successful learning environment for your child. Book your consultation today!

Tutors Network

This is a directory of individuals who are available to provide tutoring services. It includes information about their qualifications, availability, and contact details.

Click below to choose a tutor based on your child's specific needs.

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Student Life

We encourage Homeschool students to engage in different activities that complement their development. B4G partners with local organizations such as the YMCA, Youth Performing Arts Training Center, local schools, colleges and churches to offer our students a variety of programs inclusive of sports, arts, science, entrepreneurship and more. We also host events and activities that promote a healthy social lifestyle and an opportunity to create long lasting relationships.

Click on the buttons below to learn more about resources and events that enhance the student's life.

Getting Started

Homeschooling: Requirements, Research, and Who Does It

In the 1980s, home schooling was illegal in a majority of states—and didn’t become lawful nationwide until 1993. But once seen as a fringe practice of families on the extreme right and left—religious conservatives and hippies—homeschooling today is viewed as a small, but integral part of the education ecosystem in the United States and a pillar of the school choice movement. Homeschooling has gained wider attention and more-mainstream acceptance as the numbers of students learning at home doubled in the past decade—a trend driven in some measure by the expansion of online schooling options. READ MORE

10 Famous People You Didn’t Know Were Homeschooled

As home education becomes an option that more and more people are choosing, some people may believe that it is simply a fad. However, the truth is that not only is homeschooling the earliest form of education – many of the famous people they admire were actually homeschooled. Check out this list of 10 famous people from a variety of fields who were homeschooled... READ MORE

Homeschooling vs. Online Education: Which is Better for You?

As budgets tighten and the public education climate continues to change, many parents feel that their child’s education is out of their hands. Some even feel helpless to improve their student’s situation—whether they’re struggling, not challenged enough, have special needs or suffer from bullying.

Each year, more parents seek out alternative education options. In fact, the number of students who are homeschooled continues to increase. Many might think that alternative options are limited to homeschooling and private school; one demanding more time and expertise than some parents have and the other more money. READ MORE

Choosing a school? You’ve got options.

Guide to School Choice in Florida

By: National School Choice Week Team

Florida is a national leader in providing parents a diverse array of school choices. So, if you’re a parent in Florida, you have access to more K-12 education options than you might realize. Knowing and navigating these options can help you find a school where your child’s personality, gifts, and academic strengths flourish. READ MORE

Getting Started with Homeschooling

Home School Legal Defense Association (Homeschool Laws by State)

Florida Parent Educators Association

Scholaric | Easy Online Homeschool Planning

Homeschool Skedtrack - Online Lesson Planner, Scheduler, and Tracker

Join a Homeschool Co-op or Start One

WHAT IS A HOMESCHOOL CO-OP? A homeschool co-op is a group of families who meet together and work cooperatively to achieve common goals. Co-ops can be organized around academics, social time, the arts, activities, crafts, service work, or projects — or some combination of these.Joining a co-op can be a positive addition to your homeschooling curriculumClick below for local Co-op groups or to provide us information on a Co-op you wish to start and lead.Click on below image to learn about the benefits of joining a Co-op Group.

THE BENEFITS OF JOINING A HOMESCHOOL CO-OP

If you’re thinking about joining a homeschool co-op, there are lots of wonderful reasons to do so. This is especially true if you’re brand-new to homeschooling. Here are a few reasons why joining a homeschool co-op could be beneficial to your family.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Homeschooling your child or children is a lot of work. Sometimes, it’s easy to veer off track. When you’re part of a co-op, you have the support of other parents. This, in turn, usually makes it easier to continue on at the proper pace even if you begin to falter. Plus, I have found when I have committed to teaching other people’s children, I am more likely to stay on track with the lessons and curriculum. On the flip side, kids are held accountable to someone else besides you when it comes to schoolwork. I’ll admit, I will sometimes be a little easy on my kids and let an assignment slide here or there, but when someone else is the teacher, that probably won’t fly.

AFFORDABILITY

Being part of a co-op means that you share resources you don’t have to pay for out-of-pocket. This includes things like computer software and expensive curriculum that you may not otherwise have access to. There are many co-ops that are very affordable and have a one-time low payment for your entire family. Be sure to ask around in your area, some co-ops are definitely more expensive than others, and from my experience, you don’t always get what you pay for.

GROUP PARTICIPATION

Teaching subjects such as drama, sports and public speaking really require a group setting to be successful. Co-ops allow kids to partner up for things like science experiments, debates, etc. Planning field trips with your co-op can also get you group or school discounts. And working together on group projects or presentations is a good learning experience for kids.

VARIETY OF TEACHERS

When you join a homeschool co-op, it gives your child the chance to learn from others. Of course, you still remain the primary educator, but this is a great way to introduce your kids to different learning styles.

OUTSOURCING

Sometimes you just don’t have the time or means for certain classes such as art or science. Or maybe you are due to have a baby at the start of the school year and you just don’t have the energy to take on so much. I know I’m horrible at art, so I prefer not to teach it and many parents don’t like to turn their kitchen into a science lab, so doing it as a group and having someone else teach it is a great option.

FRIENDSHIP

If you homeschool, a co-op is a wonderful opportunity for your child to make friends and to learn social skills. It’s also a great place for moms to make friends and interact with other like-minded adults. And if you are new to homeschooling, there will most likely be plenty of veterans whose brains you can pick with all of your questions. Hopefully, this information makes it easier to decide whether or not to join a homeschool co-op. As you can see, the benefits are many. You might even have the option of joining on a trial basis or to drop in for a day to see how things are run, so don’t be afraid to ask.

******This information contains affiliate links. Sourced from https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/benefits-joining-homeschool-co-op/

Volusia County Co-op Groups

4-H Club

4-H club members build life skills by leading hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture and civic engagement - helping them to grow confidence, independence, resilience, and compassion. To learn more visit
https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu/get-involved/ or join their Facebook Page "Homeschool 4-H (Volusia County)"

Classical Conversations

The purpose of Classical Conversations® is to lead the home-centered education movement by teaching parents and students the classical tools of learning so that they can discover God’s created order and beauty— and as a result— enable others to do the same. To learn more about their Weekly Community Day near your location visit https://www.classicalconversations.com/community-search/

For His Glory Co-op - Deland, FL

For His Glory Homeschool Co-op meets at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Orange Camp Road in Deland each Monday. It is a faith- based co-op for birth through high school. It offers academic classes for all ages that are taught by their members in most cases. To learn more about this Co-op visit https://www.forhisglorydeland.com/ or contact ForHisGloryhomeschoolcoop@gmail.com

Family Resources

Whether you are homeschooling full-time or you are looking to supplement your current curriculum, you will find useful resources by clicking the buttons below. Check back often for updates.