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In 2008, a number of home school parents gathered to design a corporate, Christian, educational setting that assists home educated junior/senior high school students and families. WEST desires to help facilitate home education with a range of core and supplemental courses. Students must be registered with their school district as a home educated student. WEST is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

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Robin Fraser, Executive Director

Robin desires to support homeschoolers as they seek to teach and influence as well as love and empower their children.  As a homeschooler herself, Robin sees the need for homeschooling families to have options within schooling at home. Opening the doors of WEST has been a long time vision of Robin’s. She is excited to use her leadership experience and skill set at WEST.

Robin holds a degree in education – has taught in the inner-city public schools at the middle/junior high level. In 1993, Robin won the Sallie Mae First Class Teacher of the Year Award for Wisconsin.  She has also served as an inner-city youth director, has worked in the corporate world and has served in church: council member/teacher/ministry lead and more.

Robin is a home educator of 18+ years.  She is the founder of a Fellowship In Christian Education (F.I.C.H.E.) homeschool coop, co-founder of WEST and completed certification as a Spiritual Director/Companion.

Robin’s heart is to engage, encourage and empower parents and students in a variety of ways – one being WEST.

Rebecca Eastman, WEST Office Assistant

Rebecca began homeschooling her two daughters and son in 2015. Homeschooling has completely changed their life and God has truly blessed them in this journey. 

Rebecca has had the opportunity to serve as a Vice Coordinator and a Troop Shepherd for American Heritage Girls, a Board member for Patriotic Heritage Allegiant Honor Guard, and lead Children's Ministry.

Rebecca has worked at Unity Hospital as a Certified Nursing Assistant and as a Customer Service Representative for Connexus Energy. For 18 years she has taught Tiny Tot dance for 3-4 yr. olds at Anoka Hennepin Community Education.

Rebecca and her husband run their Recycling Business in Elk River. Additionally, her family is enjoying their new home in Zimmerman since fall 2020.

Rebecca has been a part of the WEST Community since 2017. On top of that, she has a heart for children, with a desire to serve and mentor our next generation in a positive direction.

Dacia Olson, Registrar

Dacia Olson has been homeschooling since 2009 and has been a part of the WEST community since 2016. She and her husband, Andrew have five children and live in Otsego. Their oldest three students are current WESTies. 

Dacia graduated from Northwestern College (now University of Northwestern - St. Paul) and worked at New Life Family Services before becoming a mom. Now she works as a part-time independent Labor Doula and has a passion for helping women through the process of labor and birth. 

In the homeschool community, Dacia has served in different leadership roles in a co-op that meets in Anoka. She most recently served on the board for five years as Treasurer. Though it was a smaller group, it gave her some experience using the same website set up that WEST uses. 

In her church, she has served on the worship team for 18 years and has encouraged other moms in marriage, parenting, and homeschooling. 

She is excited to join the WEST team to serve as the Registrar. 

Julie Burkstrand, Treasurer

Julie Burkstrand has been a part of the homeschooling community since the year 2000. She is pleased to join the WEST team and hopes to encourage fellow homeschoolers in their journey.

After graduating from Bemidji State University, Julie worked as an exercise consultant for 5 years at a local health club, before leaving that position to be a stay at home mom. She and her husband, Todd, have four children and have made their home in Osseo, MN for the past 27 years.

Julie has served in a variety of roles in her community, church, and homeschool co-op, the latest of which has been on the leadership board as treasurer for the past 9 years.

Tiffany Pavlish, Website Communications

Tiffany Pavlish has been a part of the homeschooling community since 2005.  She is thrilled to be a part of the WEST team and continue supporting the homeschool community by maintaining WEST's website and encouraging families on their homeschool journey.

Tiffany graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus with a degree in Business Education.  Currently, Tiffany tutors a couple classes Fall semester at WEST:  PSEO Introduction to Computer Applications through Crown College and a general WEST Study Skills class. Tiffany and her husband, Andy, have four children and have made their home in Rogers, MN since 1996.

Tiffany has served in a variety of roles in the homeschool community and church encouraging women to forge ahead even when life seems bleak.

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Robin Fraser, Sheri Simmer, Gail Gray

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1. Go to www.westclasses.com
2. Request membership
3. Complete required fields of registration
4. Pay annual registration membership fee
5. Wait for WEST confirmation email
6. Log in to website with username and password
7. Click on Class Registration tab
8. Begin registration process following prompts
9. Pay on-line for classes
    (If need to pay by check, payment must be received within 72 hours via mail or registration will be deleted)
    (If paying by check, write one check out for total tuition fees. 
     Note in memo which classes and what students are being registered)

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If paying by check, not on-line, mail to:  WEST  |  12271 - 73rd Street NE  |  Otsego, MN 55330

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Yes. Any first day walk-ins are welcome! Walk-ins will complete on-line registration forms and payments. However, students will attend classes the second week due to administrative processing and tutor notification.

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Email reduces our communication costs. It is also the most efficient form of communication, especially with time sensitive material and on-line registration and payment.

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The WEST annual registration fee helps to pay for rent, insurance, marketing, administrative and other costs.

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Yes, if your student is on a wait list, no payment is required at this time.
If paying with check - don't include amount of wait list class tuition in check.
To avoid wait list payment if using on-line payment: Add to cart all classes except the wait list class then pay via Paypal. Next, log back in to register for classes, register for wait list class and make no payment for that class.

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Choosing a class outside of your child’s grade level is possible. Tutor approval is required prior to registration.

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9060 Zanzibar Lane North | Maple Grove, MN 55311 - Church of the Open Door

Please DO NOT call the churches regarding WEST.  WEST contact information is [email protected] or 763-227-6700.

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WEST class sizes range between 5 and 25 students. This is determined between the tutors and WEST staff.

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No - WEST is not a school or an accrediting organization. Most courses earn a half or full high school credit. The parents are responsible for determining credits earned and then placing them on a transcript.

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No - Transcripts are the responsibility of the primary educational institution. This is the parent’s responsibility in the home school setting.

Contact Robin Fraser for transcript consulting [email protected] or 763.227.6700

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No - WEST is not a school. Each tutor decides on how they will communicate student progress. These usually come in the form of a progress update/evaluation. The parents are the ultimate authority in grade assignment.

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The parent and student need to choose classes based on family need. For example, if you desire a corporate learning environment in science then WEST is the place for you! Choir would be another option to register for as that can only occur with a group of students. Depending on your student’s and families interests and needs – you will find plenty of classes to choose from at WEST.

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WEST has five sessions in a day. You may register for a class each session of the day or pick one, two, three, four or five classes for the day. Review the schedule and see what fits your needs. We are happy to host your student at any point in the day.

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WEST strives for every class to fill and run each semester and works hard to meet minimum number of students per class. It is our goal to provide a quality educational experience for your student/s. WEST is able to run classes when families/students register themselves and share WEST with others who register. WEST reserves the right to cancel classes if student numbers are low. Families/student/s will be notified by email if a class will cancel.

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Possibly. WEST is always looking for potential tutors and subject areas. If you or you know of someone who might be interested in tutoring at WEST, please submit a request for application at [email protected]

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WEST does not have a study hall at this time. If the need arises we will be happy to provide such a service for a minimal fee. However, at varying class periods there may be a quiet room available for students on first come first serve basis.  These rooms are to remain quiet.

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Yes!  There are a number of classes at WEST that follow a track.  This is a guideline and a most common order but some classes can be taken in any sequence at any time as well.

Click here for our current class track at WEST.

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Yes - Wednesdays the lunch period is held from 11:30 am - 12:00 pm 
There is no lunch period on Mondays or Tuesdays - students may eat in class with tutor permission

Lunch is COLD

There is no access to a refrigerator or microwave.
WEST recommends students pack lunches in cooler type bag with name clearly marked on it

Students eat lunch in designated classrooms/areas within building
Students may eat outside on the north end of the building

Wrappers, bags, water bottles, etc need to be cleaned up after eating
Students can get distracted in conversation and walk away from their lunch garbage - please review and remind them to throw away all of their garbage from lunch

Due to possible peanut allergies, leave peanut foods at home

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It is possible that students who attend WEST may have a peanut allergy. 

WEST asks students and families to be aware of this when packing lunches, etc. 

Please be mindful and leave peanut items at home.

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WEST conducts multiple interviews with each possible tutor reviews credentials and seek tutors who are supportive of home education. WEST also makes reference calls and background checks on all tutors. Because the tutors are not employees of WEST, we cannot guarantee their performance. WEST and the tutors desire a positive working relationship with each other and WEST families.

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Yes. Your tutor may hire a substitute. Each substitute goes through a background check, interview and reference check. If a class must be cancelled, the tutors will communicate all necessary information effectively.

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• Enrolling in WEST allows your student more interaction in a caring, Christian academic setting with WEST staff, tutors and other learners
• WEST offers students quality instruction and excellent tutors in a classroom situation
• Attending classes at WEST provides your student the opportunity to learn a subject in an engaging, hands-on group situation
• Junior and senior high home school students receive community in and out of the classroom at WEST
• Student’s work and effort is highlighted each semester in a WEST Showcase experience
• On campus events are planned for and by WEST students
• Registration and payment is made easy at WEST with on-line registration
• Workshops, testing, curriculum sale and other special events occur at WEST

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Yes on Minnesota. No on Federal.

Go to MN Department of Revenue website and search “Qualifying Home School Expenses for K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit”. Minnesota allows a subtraction or credit for certain educational expenses. If your student meets Minnesota’s requirements, and depending on your family’s income level, the tutoring expenses at WEST might qualify for a credit or subtraction on your Minnesota Return.

The tutor must be a qualified instructor by Minnesota Department of Revenue definition. That would include a licensed teacher or a person with any baccalaureate. Review the tutor's biographies on the WEST website to see if your tutor qualifies. Even is the class qualifies as an educational expense, the actual deductibility or eligibility for credit will depend on your individual tax circumstances.

THIS GENERAL INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OR YOUR PERSONAL CPA.

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This classification allows any donations (not tuition) you want to make to WEST tax deductible. WEST is always excited to receive any donations for the betterment of students.

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No - WEST is not a school or individualized tutoring service. Parents of home schooled children are the final authority in their success. WEST comes alongside and supports the home educated process.