I’m Manfred Smith, principal director of The Learning Community International, and I am delighted to welcome you to our community of learners. Established by Barbara Klein of the nonprofit Community Inc., The Learning Community has been operating a private school in Maryland since 1984. Launching with a school-without-walls format, TLC expanded the following year to embrace homeschooling families through an umbrella program. Enrollment, which once totaled just 18 children, exceeds 700 today.

Our Living Curriculum™ -- a consistent process of learning, self-discovery, and validation -- grew from TLC’s philosophy of individualized learning. The Living Curriculum™ represents the sum of the learner’s goals and interests outlined in his or her Individualized Learning Plan as well as volunteer work, work-study, formal study at home, classes, college, and special projects.

Within a few short years of operation we were enrolling teens, adding a high school program in 1988 to better serve their needs. By the mid '90s, increasing numbers of families were enrolling in TLC from other states and nations. We formally changed our name to The Learning Community International in 2001 to reflect our expanding service to a worldwide audience. Increasing responsibilities and growth of our international program led us to seek accreditation.

An important part of our vision for TLC at its founding was to invite the most qualified, experienced individuals to work with us in our quest to build our unique community of learners. Consultants and administrators, a group with diverse political, philosophical, and spiritual beliefs, are united in our passion to empower individuals to pursue their own paths of living and learning.

Increasing numbers of parents and educational institutions have recognized the value of being part of our growing learning community. We take pride in our effective, customized learning programs and personalized service, and I thank you for considering enrollment with TLCI.