Hope Learning Center, a nonprofit organization now based in Washougal, is holding a fundraiser on Nov. 14 at Bethel Community Church

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

Some 30 years ago, an experienced teacher came up with her own plan for homeschooling, starting a program for her children out of her garage.

She formed a support group for other parents wanting to learn more about home-based education.

When Kathleen Baker moved to Clark County in 2001, she continued with a program, with new neighbors — out of her garage again.

Well, the program became so successful it had to move on, first to a church in Hockinson and now based at Bethel Community Church in Washougal, with students from first grade through 12th grade.

Hope Learning Center is thriving.

“I started HLC because every child needs a well-rounded education in an environment that allows them to grow at their own pace while being challenged to become the best they can be,” Baker said. “Every child has a purpose in this world, and God has a plan for them.”

Alumni of the Hope Learning Center have gone on to become nurses, doctors, engineers, interior designers, lawyers, electricians, musicians, and more. One former student is a pilot.

Erika Sagert, now the director, joined HLC in 2015, complementing Baker. Sagert excels in English and history while Baker’s focus is science and math.

While they are teachers, with years of experience, they make it clear to the parents that the parents are the primary teachers in this effort.

“Our mission statement is to partner with parents to provide truth-based education to help raise their children into excellent God honoring men and women,” Sagert said.

“We love your kids,” Baker added. “Not as much as you do. But we believe in them. We want a place where they can be seen, and heard, and people believe in them.”

Hope Learning Center, which started in Oceanside, Calif., in 1995, became a nonprofit organization in 2021.

The center is holding its annual fundraiser on Nov. 14 in Washougal. The Harvest Harmonies Fundraiser will include live music, a dessert dash, raffles, plus silent and live auctions. For ticket information, go to: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/harvest-harmonies-a-fundraiser-to-benefit-hope-learning-center

Hope Learning Center, Baker said, is a completely independent homeschool option. The center works with Academy Northwest to offer accreditation. Parents can choose whatever curriculum they want for their children.

“The goal was to come alongside the parents and help them be better at their craft,” Baker said. “I believe every child can reach a really good potential. They just need the right assistance to do it. I believe very strongly in having parents having the right to choose curriculum.”

For a list of all the classes that are offered, and more on the Hope Learning Center, go to its website: https://hopelearningctr.com/

“There is lots of passion here because I just feel it’s such an important thing for parents to direct their own child’s education,” Baker said.

That is why Baker started this service in 1995 in California. 

In 2001, she moved to Ridgefield and continued with the program. After growing to some 100 students, Hope Learning Center moved to Hockinson Community Church in 2008. The center moved to Bethel Community Church in 2022.

By the way, there is a reason it is called Hope Learning Center.

“I always had hope in the Lord that He would make a way,” Baker said.

Sagert has had a fascinating journey in education that led her to Hope Learning Center, as well. 

She said she always wanted to be a teacher but she struggled in school throughout her early years. Sagert found out in high school that she had a learning disability. 

“I had a high school counselor who was shocked that I wanted to go to college because I struggled so much,” Sagert said. “Well, I did. The Lord helped me through it. I got my teaching degree. If you set your mind to it, you can do it.”

She taught for years but when her own children became school age, she opted to teach them at home. Sagert would later become a teacher consultant with Academy Northwest. That led to a meeting with Baker, and they have been a team ever since.

“I’m here to stay because I feel the Lord still wants to use me in the homeschool community,” Sagert said.

The fundraiser for Hope Learning Center will help the program, the center’s host, and, of course, the students.

“Because Bethel has been so generous to us, we are doing this fundraiser to help them with maintenance projects,” Baker said. “We also want scholarships. Not everybody can afford everything for their children. So we offer scholarships for families who need a little extra help.”

That could include paying for a class, for tutors, or books. 

Hope Learning Center is designed to benefit families. It is a family-first center.

“It’s so important to point out that we partner with parents,” Baker said. “We are here to support you and give you tools, but you have work to do at home.”