Homeschooling
Shortly after Sarah was born, Kathleen attended a baby care class.
A group of the mothers in this class became friends. They decided to continue
their relationships by having weekly park days where they could get together,
talk about issues relating to parenting and provide friends for their kids.
As the kids grew older, their thoughts naturally turned to school. Through
a process of communication, investigation and mutual support, a few of
these mothers decided that homeschooling was a very attractive alternative.
When the children were four years old, most of them attended full time
pre-school. The ones interested in homeschoolling joined like-minded parents
to form the Santa Clara Valley Homeschoolers. Today, ten years later, this
group still meets in a different Santa Clara County park each Thursday.
The make up of the group has changed over time with some people leaving
and others joining. Newcomers are always welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What about the kids social life?
Sarah has many opportunities to be with other kids, and she has
many friends. Almost every day she spends time with one or more of her
friends. The park group is the primary source. She has known a few of the
kids in this group since they were five months old. In addition to the
park group, Sarah meets other kids in various classes she attends, Girl
Scouts and on other adventures such as the Ropes Course.
Do they have to take tests?
In California, no. There are two legal methods of homeschooling
in California: participating in a school districts home study program and
declaring a private school. Many school districts is the State of California
have Home Study programs. The nature and requirements of the various home
study programs depend upon the individual school district. Some do require
testing, Most do not. If you are interested in this method, contact your
local school district. If your district program is not attractive to you,
check other nearby districts. Their programs may be more attractive and
you may be able to transfer your child to that district. If you can not
find anything that suits you and your child, you can always declare a private
school.
To declare a private school, all that is required is fill out and file
a R4F form once a year. You are not required to have certified teachers,
any particular curriculum or subject your child to any tests. You are free
to educate your child in the manner you believe best.
What about going to College?
Generally, homeschooled kids have no problems getting in college.
To the contrary, many colleges are actively seeking homeschooled kids.
These colleges - Harvard, Yale, the Air Force Academy, and Stanford to
name a few - find homeschooled kids to be very creative people who provide
a refreshing change from the public school educational factories.
What about the kids, do they like it?
Most kids, including Sarah, love it. Some, upon reaching high school
age, decide that they want to go to a organized school. Homeschool families
generally recognize that it is best to accommodate these young adults'
desires and work at finding them a good school.
To find out more about the world of homeschooling, see http://www.cais.com/aevans/homestead/homesch.html
.
To find out more about the Santa Clara Valley Homeschoolers, you may
Email Kathleen, Sarah's
mother.