Gallatin Campus

August 3: First Day for Students

August 6: Election Day | No School

August 7: No School

September 4: No School

September 7: Labor Day | No School

September 21: Parent Teacher Conferences

October 2: End of Quarter 1

October 5-9: Fall Break | No School

October 12: No School

November 3: Election Day | No School

November 23-27: Thanksgiving | No School

December 18: Half day of School | End of Quarter 2 | End of Semester 1

December 21-January 1: Christmas Break | No School

2027 | Second Semester January 4-5: No School

January 6: First Day of classes for Students Second Semester

January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | No School

February 15: Presidents’ Day | No School

March 19: End of Quarter 3

March 22-25: Spring Break | No School

March 26: Good Friday | No School

March 29: Easter Monday | No School

May 25: Last Day of School for Student

Handbook for Families and Leaders

Hartsville Campus

August 3rd First Day of School

Sept 7th Labor Day – No School

Sept 11th Youth Fair – No School

Sept 18th Power Friday – dismiss 12:15

Oct. 15th Parent Conferences/dismiss 12:15

Oct. 16th Administrative Day – No School

Oct. 19th – 23rd Fall Break Teachers

Nov 3rd Election Day- No Students

Nov 23rd – 27th Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 17th Last day with students Christmas Breakfast

Dec. 18th Semester Ends  

Jan. 5th Professional Development Day

Jan. 6th Students return to school

Jan. 18th MLK Day – No School

Feb. 15th President’s Day – No School

March 18th Parent Conferences/dismiss 12:15

March 19th – Administrative Day - No School

March 22nd – 26th Spring Break

April 9th Power Friday/dismiss 12:15

May 19th Last Day for students

Remember to check KidZone schedule for days the school is not open. HARTSVILLE ONLY

Peterson Learning Center Family Handbook

Academic Year 2026–2027

Effective August 1, 2026

Section 1: Front Matter & Organizational Structure

Welcome to Peterson Learning Center (PLC). We are honored that you have chosen to partner with us in your child’s educational journey.

PLC exists to serve learners who thrive in hands-on, relationship-based, and mastery-driven environments. Our model intentionally moves beyond worksheets, testing pressure, and rigid pacing in favor of meaningful learning experiences, critical thinking, creativity, and leadership development.

This Family Handbook communicates expectations, policies, and shared responsibilities and ensures consistency, safety, and transparency across all PLC campuses.

By enrolling, families agree to uphold all values and expectations contained herein.

Peterson Learning Center is a learner-centered micro-school network focused on mastery-based progression, experiential learning, individualized support, and community engagement.

PLC operates as a private educational program and is not a traditional public school.

Mission: Empower learners to become confident, capable, and independent thinkers.

Vision: An environment where learners are respected, supported, and challenged without one-size-fits-all limitations.

Core Values: Learners First; Mastery Over Speed; Hands-On Learning; Respect & Responsibility; Partnership.

Educational Philosophy: Leaders Not Students; Mastery-Based Learning; Hands-On & Experiential Learning; Small-Pod Model.

PLC is privately owned and operated.

Campuses: Hartsville – 155 Marlene Street, Hartsville, TN 37074. Gallatin – 1398 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066. Online Campus

PLC uses the NEWTON system for all communications.

Section 2: Enrollment & Participation

PLC offers full-time enrollment only.

Enrollment is contingent upon completed paperwork, signed agreements, and required payments.

Regular attendance is expected; flexibility does not remove mastery expectations.

Vacations are permitted; tuition is not prorated and projects may not be recreated.

Withdrawal requires payment of full tuition through the current semester.

Administrative dismissal may occur for safety, non-compliance, or failure to maintain partnership.

Section 3: Academic Program

PLC operates on a mastery-based academic model.

Learning is project-based, interdisciplinary, and experiential.

Assessment emphasizes demonstration of learning rather than high-stakes testing.

Academic themes guide instruction for grades K–8 across subject areas.

Mixed-age pods may be utilized based on learner readiness.

Section 4: Student Support & Behavior

PLC supports academic, social, and emotional development.

Expectations emphasize respect, safety, and responsibility.

Restorative and neurodiversity-affirming practices are utilized.

Safety concerns may result in suspension or dismissal at administrative discretion.

Section 5: Health, Safety & Wellness

PLC prioritizes physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Learners must remain home when ill.

All staff are mandatory reporters.

Hartsville follows Trousdale County Schools for weather decisions.

Gallatin follows Sumner County Schools for weather decisions.

Snow or other school cancellations turns the academic day to immediate virtual learning.

Emergency closures do not result in tuition refunds.

Section 6: Family Partnership

Strong family-school partnerships are essential.

Families must communicate respectfully and follow PLC policies.

Instructional time is protected from interruptions.

Failure to uphold partnership expectations may result in dismissal.

Section 7: Tuition, Fees & Financial Policies

Tuition is $1,260 per month ($300 per week).

$100 non-refundable enrollment deposit required.

Payments are due by the 15th of the prior month.

3% daily late fee applies to overdue balances.

$40 returned payment fee applies.

Non-payment by the last day of the prior month results in removal until corrected.

Grandfathered or scholarship rates are forfeited after financial suspension.

Tuition is non-refundable.

Section 8: Policies & Compliance

PLC maintains non-discrimination, privacy, and technology policies.

Records are protected and shared only as permitted by law.

Visitors must be authorized and signed in.

PLC reserves the right to update policies.

Appendices

Appendix A: Campus Information

Hartsville Campus – 155 Marlene Street, Hartsville, TN 37074

Gallatin Campus – 1398 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066

Appendix B: Emergency Quick Reference

Emergency notifications are delivered via NEWTON.

Appendix C: Tuition & Fee Schedule

Refer to Section 7 for all tuition policies.

Appendix D: Annual Family Acknowledgment

Family Handbook Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I have received, read, and agree to comply with the Peterson Learning Center Family Handbook for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Parent/Guardian Name: ______________________________
Learner Name(s): _________________________________
Signature: ______________________________   Date: ____________

Dr. Jennifer S. Peterson, Ed.D.
Founder & Administrator
Peterson Learning Center