With a rich and varied career, Amanda Jones was looking for a “unicorn job.” 

After completing her B.S. in finance at Miami University, she served as a missionary in East Asia. When she returned to the United States, she earned her master’s degree in classical education, which launched a rewarding chapter of teaching kindergarten at classical brick-and-mortar schools. She then continued her academic studies at law school, before her love of teaching led her back to the classroom. 

As a new mom, Amanda was looking for a role that would draw on her deep passion for the classical model while allowing her to be at home with her son. When a friend introduced her to Forma, our new program for ages five through eight, it felt like the perfect fit. 

As Forma’s cohort mentor, Amanda will guide homeschool parents through a robust, age-appropriate classical curriculum, giving parents and children a strong foundation for their next academic steps. 

“I’m excited to partner with homeschool parents by sharing effective tools and guidance to support them in teaching their children well,” she says. 

We asked Amanda to share Wilson Hill’s heart behind creating Forma, why she was drawn to the program and what a typical week would look like in her cohort.

A Foundation of Curiosity and Growth 

With so many homeschooling curriculum options available, building a cohesive, sequenced plan that equips children with the essential skills they need can feel overwhelming. It’s not uncommon for parents to doubt their ability to provide the quality of education they desire for their children.

At Wilson Hill, we believe parents don’t have to sacrifice the rich benefits of homeschooling to feel confident their children are meeting educational milestones.  

That’s why we developed Forma, a program for parents designed to help them prepare their children ages five through eight for future coursework.

The name Forma, a Latin word meaning form, shape or beauty, captures our vision for education. In these early years, parents are not simply teaching skills; they are shaping the beginnings of joyful learning, wonder, habit training and spiritual growth. 

“The modern idea of education is to prepare you for a job,” Amanda says. “Classical Christian education seeks to form children by helping them see all learning as part of knowing and loving God. Through a rich curriculum, children marvel at God’s creation and learn their place in it, laying the foundation for a life of worship, creativity, curiosity and wonder.”

As a cohort mentor, Amanda comes alongside parents with the guidance, resources and encouragement they need to carry out this calling to teach and nurture their children. She’s available to answer questions as they arise and to offer support when things don’t go as planned.

“I’m so excited for parents to have the highest quality curriculum without the stress of piecing everything together themselves, so they can enjoy the rhythms of their home life,” she says. 

A Trusted Partner in Education 

Each Forma cohort is designed with the homeschooling parent in mind. Parents meet weekly with Amanda to review the prepared modules and navigate any challenges children might be experiencing. Cohorts are organized by age level, from kindergarten through second grade, to ensure developmentally appropriate support and instruction.

The curriculum includes thoughtfully prepared modules in reading, math, science, poetry, art, music, nature study and enrichment activities. Amanda explains that the goal isn’t rote memorization but sparking a love of learning through delightful stories, the works of master artists and composers, and gentle introductions to numbers and the wonders of the natural world. 

In step with Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy, Wilson Hill views learning as an immersive, lifelong pursuit. Mason emphasized that children are born persons, with minds ready to engage, wonder and grow. Rather than reducing education to the transfer of information, she advocated for a rich, relational approach that inspires curiosity and a love of learning. Amanda is excited to apply Wilson Hill’s natural integration of Mason’s philosophy within the classical model through her work with Forma. 

In an average week, this might look like beginning the day with a phonics lesson, enjoying a piece by Beethoven, checking on bird eggs in the backyard, and noticing details in a painting by Mary Cassatt. Each week builds on itself, slowly introducing students to rich concepts in digestible lessons. Enrichment activities are designed for the entire family to enjoy together.

The curriculum is intentionally designed by Wilson Hill teachers to support both parents and children, offering age-appropriate lessons that build year by year. While Amanda is excited about every subject, she’s particularly looking forward to the reading list, which includes Beatrix Potter, Little Bear, and James Herriot’s Treasury for Children.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than guiding a child through the process of learning to read,” she says. “I love supporting parents and working with a rich curriculum that builds confidence and encourages wonder.”

We have seen the positive long-term impact that Wilson Hill has on students and families, which is why we’re excited to partner with parents of younger children as they lay a sturdy foundation for future academic success.

Do you have children ages five through eight? There’s still time to join our next cohort! Learn more about Forma and how to register: wilsonhillacademy.com/forma/