Vashon may soon have an alternative education option for middle school girls, as the Vashon Learning Cooperative, a new program offered by islander Lisa DeFaccio, is now accepting applications.

“This is like a bridge between homeschooling and private school,” DeFaccio said.

DeFaccio will make a final decision about starting the program in about a month, she said last week, explaining that she needs at least 10 students to enroll to make it possible.

DeFaccio has been educating students of all ages for over 25 years, with experience teaching and tutoring in general education, special education and highly capable settings. She also cofounded the StudentLink and FamilyLink programs at the Vashon School District with former Superintendent Monte Bridges.

But it is her experience as the parent of a busy, high-achieving 12-year-old daughter that spurred her current effort to create an alternative program.

“I noticed that my daughter has been coming home with a lot of undifferentiated homework,” DeFaccio said. “The learning is not tailored to what she specifically needs, and there is no opportunity to move ahead in certain subjects without also being responsible for all of the busy work in other areas, all while trying to maintain an extra-curricular focus on top of everything.”

Now, DeFaccio’s goal is to provide a program for sixth- to eighth-grade girls where they can be educated with customized curricula designed for each student, according to their needs and strengths. Extra-curricular activities will be encouraged and supported by a four-day academic week and very little homework.

“We really want to preserve after-school time for other activities,” she said.

The program will accept girls only, DeFaccio explained, because they are the ones who she believes have been asking for options.

“My daughter and her friends have been the ones pushing for this, and they have made it clear they are looking for a girls-only program,” she said. “I also think that it gives girls at this age a chance to take more risks academically. It’s been my experience that boys at the same age are more assertive, and girls will often sit back. A single-gender situation would give them the chance to reach their potential.”

The cooperative does not meet the state’s criteria to be approved as a private school due to its four-day academic week. Ideally, DeFaccio said, parents of enrolled students would declare their intent to homeschool and she would do the teaching. The program could also partner with families who are already a part of or are interested in joining FamilyLink.

Instruction will focus on individualized math programs, a hands-on approach to biology, physics and chemistry through lab work and small groups, and independent projects for learning humanities, language and literacy.

Vashon Learning Cooperative will be located in the small house that DeFaccio owns that was previously home to Vashon Natural Medicine, on Vashon Highway north of Courthouse Square. The program will accept a maximum of 15 students, with a tuition of $10,000 per student, per academic year.

DeFaccio said that so far six families have expressed interest in enrolling, but she will need a minimum of 10 to make the program financially viable. Enrollment is currently open, and more information about the program can be found at the cooperative’s website, vashonlearning.org.

“We’re motivated and excited, but we’ll see who actually signs up,” DeFaccio said.