In an effort to partner more effectively with our robust homeschool population, Moore County Schools is excited to offer a new blended learning program for K-5 students that are currently homeschooled.
What does this public school + homeschool partnership look like?
- The program will be hosted at three highly rated elementary schools in Moore County, McDeeds Creek, West Pine Elementary, and now Southern Pines Elementary.
- There are two teachers- one K-2 and one 3-5 at our McDeeds Creek and West Pine Elementary sites. There will be 24 total slots for each teacher.
- To keep class sizes low, two student cohorts are created for each teacher. This keeps class size down to 12 or less per cohort.
- Students come for face-to-face instruction two days (Mondays and Tuesdays or Wednesdays and Thursdays) from 7:45-1:45 of face-to-face instruction. Families continue with the homeschool curriculum of their own during the three off-campus days and may be provided additional enhancement materials from teachers as well.
- Students enrolled have the option to participate in extracurricular activities and events hosted at McDeeds Creek, West Pine Elementary, and Southern Pines. Students will also participate in specials classes (Art, Music, PE, Media Center).
Application Process:
Currently homeschooling families looking to join Blend+Ed, complete the Google Form for the 2025-2026 Application. This application is only for the 2025-2026 school year. Enrollment for the current year closes March 27th, 2026. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will be posted on February 2nd, 2026. Please do not fill out the 2025-2026 form when trying to apply for the 2026-2027 school year. Applications will be reviewed and placement assessments will be schedule with families. Placements will be communicated with in a timely fashion about their cohort placement.
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Complete the 2025-2026 Application. This will be sent directly to team upon submission.
Enrollment for the current year closes March 27th, 2026. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will be posted on February 2nd, 2026. Please do not fill out the 2025-2026 form when trying to apply for the 2026-2027 school year.
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The team will review and then invite you to schedule a date and a time for your student to work with a Blend+Ed teacher for a placement assessment.
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During this meeting, the application and placement assessment will be reviewed to ensure the best fit for student success. In order to be a best fit for Blend+Ed, students should be at or around grade level.
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Blend+Ed Team will review application and placement assessment data in consideration with the current cohort composition. The team will send a placement letter or email.
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When students awarded a seat in program, the family will then to complete the enrollment process in Infinite Campus. Reach out to Mrs. Fox at [email protected] if you have questions or need help.
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If one school site fills up families will offered a spot at the other site or added to a waitlist. The Blend+Ed team will work hard to get families the school site and cohort days that desire but this cannot be guaranteed.
Meet the Teachers
McDeeds Creek Site Staff:
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Christine Leo has been an elementary teacher for 47 years, 17 of those years have been with Moore County Schools. She is married with two adult daughters and two granddaughters. Mrs. Leo is the upper elementary Blend+Ed teacher at McDeeds Creek where she shares her love of reading and writing with her students. Growing up in Pittsburgh, a fun fact about Mrs. Leo is that as a child, she was on the Mister Rogers show! Currently she is the president of the Moore County Reading Association which sponsors the Young Author statewide writing contest each year.
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Jamie Perchinsky is a Pittsburgh native, National Board Certified Teacher who has been an educator since 2008. She has a passion for STEM education and utilizes a Hands-On/ Minds-On teaching philosophy, which allows children to enjoy yet retain learning. Jamie was awarded The Green Apple Distinguished Teacher Award from Clarksville Montgomery County Schools in 2011, and was named West Pine Elementary's Teacher of the Year in 2016. She was also named WRAL’s Teacher of the Week in October of 2023. Jamie has been a part of the Blend+Ed program since first opening in 2021 and has loved being able to partner with our amazing homeschool families across Moore County.
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Southern Pines Elementary Site Staff:
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Ms. Brackbill is experienced as a homeschool parent and a classroom teacher. Her fun and engaging style focuses on building strong relationships and maintaining a positive learning environment that fosters individual student needs.
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West Pine Elementary Site Staff:
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Mrs. Leuenberger is starting her 16th year in education. She strives to foster a love of learning in her students by keeping things positive and fun. Mrs. Leuenberger always encourages her students to believe in themselves, and motivates her students to always put forth their best effort in order to reach their full potential. Laura looks forward to working with the homeschool community in the Blend+Ed program with Moore County Schools.
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Kelly Cook, born and raised in Moore County, has 24 years of teaching experience with 18 of those years with Moore County Schools. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and she has taught in first, third, and fifth grades. At her previous schools of Laurel Hill Elementary and West End Elementary, Mrs. Cook has held various leadership roles and was voted as Teacher of the Year twice by her colleagues. Mrs. Cook strives to create a warm, nurturing environment while fostering the love of learning. She believes students learn best through meaningful, hands-on experiences and encourages independent thinking. She is excited to be a part of the Blend+Ed program and looks forward to working with its third-fifth grade families.
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FAQ
Q: Is this program available to current MCS-enrolled students?
A: No. At this time, we are seeking to partner with students that have been previously homeschooled. Depending on interest, we may open slots up to other students in the future.
Q: What standards and curricula will be utilized?
A: The teachers will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study to determine content/topics taught to students. Curriculum will be cultivated by teachers from their own creation and from materials/resources provided by MCS at the appropriate grade levels.
Q: How will you teach multiple grade levels / age ranges of students effectively?
A: Splitting the cohorts into groups of 12 and then utilizing small group rotations will allow teachers to effectively differentiate. Experienced teachers have been working with wide ranges of students throughout their careers.
Q: How will my child’s days be decided?
A: We will assess student understandings to properly place them in the best cohort for their needs (Mon+Tue or Wed+Thur).
Q: Will my child need to participate in state testing requirements?
A: Yes. We must follow all state and local testing requirements
Q: Can students living out of county apply for the Blend+Ed program?
A: Yes, parents would need to apply for Discretionary Admission through our current MCS process. Out of county students will be assessed tuition.
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