How we came to homeschool:

      Our decision to homeschool was not fully understood by all of our extended family and friends, so we appreciate finding empathetic support groups and contacts.

      Our foursome includes:  Megan, 10 (5/28/89); Jeffrey, 8 (7/24/91); Emily, 5 (12/17/93); and Amanda, 3 (1/30/96).  The older two were enrolled in full-day curriculum in the parochial school system from K3 through December, 1997 when we withdrew them at Christmas break.  Megan was in third grade, and Jeffrey was in first grade at the time.  Each was in the top of their class (and youngest) and doing fine socially, but needed a more accelerated curriculum.  After all of our conferences ended with no hope of ability-based lessons, compacting, grade-skipping, or any concessions toward meeting their academic needs, we decided to educate them from the home.  We were already doing lots of "after-schooling," and they were excited to make the change.

      For social continuity, they stayed in their extracurricular activities (CYO sports, gymnastics, dance, Scouting, etc.) and added several others (Religion, P.E., Science, Choir, Drama, etc.) outside the home-based classes.  They've remained motivated for the most part.  They like being able to give input on lessons and getting to move ahead at a faster pace, or studying a topic of interest for as long as they desire.  We use lots of unit studies.  Megan is working subjects in grade 5 - 10; Jeffrey is in grade 4 - 9 material; Emily is working in grade 3 math, and 3 - 6 on all other areas.  (She was recommended for the homeschooling or Montessori route by the psychologist who tested her at 39 months, when Emily was fluently reading second grade-level books.  Another hurdle -- she would have been delayed school entry with her December birthday.)  The last, but not least, Amanda, keeps pace with Kindergarten and 1st grade curriculum.  Her reading is fluent at the 3rd grade level, and books and computer programs are some favorite pastimes.  Now that she reads as she pleases, and has mastered her upper and lower case letter writing, she's compelled to write sentences, too!  It's so funny seeing her notes!

Updated September 13, 1999