Our Foundations

Peterson Learning Centers
Private Category III private school and Microschool with Hands-on learning for grades K-12.
​Locations in Hartsville & Gallatin TN.
​Virtual School Available 

Mission Statement

At Peterson Learning Center LLC.,  our mission is to create a nurturing, engaging, and inclusive educational environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We are committed to empowering families by fostering collaboration and involvement in every aspect of the program, ensuring that their voices guide decisions and their presence enriches the learning experience. Together, we strive to inspire curiosity, build lifelong skills, and cultivate a strong sense of community and partnership between educators, families, and students.

Family Engagement Statement

At Peterson Learning Center LLC., we believe that family engagement is a vital part of a child’s educational journey, particularly for those enrolled in our Kindergarten Prep Program and Hybrid Learning Center Program. To foster a strong partnership between families and our school community, we encourage each family to contribute at least one hour per week per child enrolled in these programs. This time commitment is flexible and can be accumulated to support various activities and events throughout the year.

Family contributions may include:
    •    Assisting with classroom activities, such as arts and crafts or project-based learning.
    •    Helping plan and execute seasonal parties, parades, or graduation ceremonies.
    •    Supporting the construction of our playground or other facility enhancements.
    •    Volunteering for major school events or projects that enrich the community experience.

This collaborative approach allows families to actively participate in their child’s learning processes, strengthening the bond between home and school while creating meaningful memories. By working together, we are building a vibrant, supportive, and engaged educational community where children and families thrive.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to become a leading model of education that seamlessly integrates family participation and decision-making with innovative, child-centered learning approaches. By fostering a dynamic partnership between families and educators, we aim to create a vibrant community where every child feels supported, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Through collaboration, flexibility, and shared commitment, we envision a future where learning is a shared journey, empowering children and families to thrive together in an ever-changing world.

The Story

What Is PBL?

The Benefits of Project-Based Learning 
Project-based learning (PBL) engages students in real-life situations and hands-on experiences, moving beyond traditional lecture-based education. It fosters independent thinking, collaboration, and creativity while preparing students for real-world applications. Below are its key benefits: 

  1. Real-Life Applications – PBL makes learning practical by integrating real-world tasks such as shopping simulations to teach math. This hands-on approach helps reinforce knowledge retention and application.

  1. Interpersonal Skill Development – Group projects encourage teamwork, communication, and leadership, helping students build confidence and social skills essential for their personal and professional lives.

  1. Innovative Assessment Methods – Unlike standardized tests that measure memorization, PBL uses rubric-based assessments to evaluate problem-solving, creativity, and overall performance.

  1. Encourages Creativity and Innovation – By incorporating field trips, experiments, and real-world challenges, PBL promotes critical thinking and the development of innovative solutions.

  1. Hands-On Learning for Better Retention – Experiential learning reinforces understanding through firsthand experiences, ensuring students grasp concepts more effectively than through theoretical instruction alone.

  1. Supports Different Learning Styles – PBL caters to diverse learning preferences, integrating hands-on, auditory, and visual learning methods to ensure all students can thrive.

  1. Engaging and Enjoyable Education – PBL includes interactive activities like games, experiments, and multimedia presentations, making learning more exciting and reducing boredom.

  1. Technology Integration – Modern tools such as laptops and projectors enhance learning, helping students become digitally literate and prepared for today’s tech-driven world.

  1. Career Readiness – PBL develops critical thinking, adaptability, and real-world problem-solving skills, ensuring students are well-equipped for future careers.

Growing up, my family moved frequently due to my mother’s job. With each move, I faced new educational challenges, but one transition, in particular, left a lasting impact. We moved to a state where multiplication was taught a year earlier than in my previous school. Suddenly, I was behind in math—struggling to catch up while being pushed forward with the rest of my peers. Despite my efforts, the gap widened, and over time, I simply gave up. It wasn’t until adulthood that I was able to rebuild my math skills. That experience shaped my belief that learning should be about mastery before movement. At Peterson Learning Center (PLC), we customize learning to each student’s pace, ensuring they truly understand and display their knowledge before moving forward. No student should be left behind because of systemic gaps beyond their control.
As a parent, I witnessed similar struggles in my own children. One of my sons was labeled as needing extra help but was never considered “struggling enough” to receive school support. Another son excelled academically, completing his work quickly and then getting into trouble simply because he had nothing left to do. These experiences reinforced my conviction that learning should not be dictated by rigid timelines but rather by individual needs. At PLC, students and families control the pace of learning. Those who master material quickly can advance, while those who need more time receive the support they deserve—without stigma or unnecessary pressure. Our model ensures that students are always engaged in meaningful projects, making learning a continuous and fulfilling experience.
Throughout my years as an educator, I have seen students break down in frustration and anxiety, knowing they were about to fail yet another standardized test. I have watched bright, hardworking children lose confidence in themselves because a single exam labeled them as inadequate. At PLC, we reject this outdated approach. We emphasize project-based learning and mastery checks through physical or verbal verification rather than high-stakes testing. No learner should fear impending failure if they have put forth their best effort. Our goal is to cultivate a love of learning by providing opportunities to demonstrate understanding in ways that align with students’ strengths.
I have also listened to countless teachers express feelings of exhaustion and defeat, believing they are unable to make a real difference in their students’ lives. Overcrowded classrooms, relentless testing, behavioral challenges, and restrictive administrative mandates make it difficult for even the most passionate educators to thrive. At PLC, we are changing that. We will maintain a 13:1 student-to-coach ratio at full capacity, ensuring that every learner receives the attention they deserve. Additionally, our coaches will have full autonomy over their learning pods, allowing them to adapt their teaching to best meet the needs of their students.
Beyond educators, I have spoken to many families who know their child hates school or needs something different—something better focused on their individual needs—but feel trapped by their circumstances. Many parents cannot afford to quit their jobs to homeschool or pay for an expensive private school located two cities away. This is why PLC exists: to provide an alternative for working parents and those seeking additional support. We meet this need by employing licensed educators, retired professors, and experienced professionals to deliver high-quality education at an affordable rate. At less than $6 per hour, PLC is a fraction of the cost of the average tutor, who charges $20 or more per hour.
The Peterson Learning Center is not just another alternative to traditional schooling—it is a revolution in education. It is built on the belief that every learner deserves the opportunity to succeed at their own pace, without fear of failure, without being left behind, and without arbitrary barriers to progress. I am opening PLC because I have lived these struggles—as a student, a parent, and an educator—and I am determined to provide a better way forward.
This is our mission. This is our commitment. This is the Peterson Learning Center.

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