Exploring Homeschooling

• Homeschool students typically become independent thinkers and capable problem solvers. As a result many pursue entrepreneurship.

• Homeschooling provides opportunities for socialization beyond one’s immediate peer group. Many homeschoolers relate easily to all age groups and are engaging conversationalists.

• To a unique degree, homeschooling allows for individualized education, tailored to the student’s interests, needs, and giftings.

• Homeschool students get to be taught by someone who loves them and knows them better than anyone else: you!

• Students move at their own pace so homeschooling is more efficient because it is not bound by the progress of other students.

• Home schooling builds a strong family culture with parents and siblings in ways that are not possible when the children are gone most of the day.

• Homeschooling frees students and families from a rigid schedule.

• The opportunity to say yes to many opportunities and experiences that are incompatible with being in school 7 hours a day followed by homework!

• Homeschooling allows flexibility to pursue options which are unavailable or unusual in society at-large. We even coined a term for it: supracultural nimbility.

HOW DOES CO-SCHOOLING WORK?

Co-schooling with Greenhouse safeguards the benefits of homeschooling while adding “the good of the group” from traditional schooling. We see our students develop and exhibit the qualities listed above as they enjoy individualized education, flexible schedules, and a wide array of experiences and relationships. By attending Greenhouse one day a week, they also gain valuable opportunities for peer engagement and collaboration, participation in performances and presentations, and deep friendships formed through consistent time spent together in a student body.

While socialization is not built into a child’s life in the same way it would be in a school setting, the opportunities for rich, meaningful, and varied relationships abound for the homeschooler. Because homeschooling tends to be more efficient, it offers ample time and flexibility of schedule to grow and deepen family (especially sibling) relationships, as well as to plan playdates and community gatherings with friends. In addition, homeschool groups and co-ops allow children to meet regularly for classes, field trips, and social activities. Many groups specialize in a particular interest or topic. Sports teams and fine arts/music ensembles are facilitated by local park districts or community groups. Local schools will often allow homeschoolers to participate in their after-school programs. 

HOW DOES CO-SCHOOLING DO IT?

Community is central to Greenhouse. Classes are small so that students can engage on a personal level with their teachers and fellow students. Many classes combine students from two grade levels. We promote collaborative work in not only our core classes but also in large-scale events and in our extracurricular activities like orchestra. Our electives serve a broad range of ages. We are big believers in mixed-age socialization, and our buddy system pairs younger students with older students to serve an older sibling-type role. These tend to be sweet and mutually enriching relationships. Beyond school hours, students will spend time with the friends they make at Greenhouse. Greenhouse attracts families who have similar goals, and this often leads to deep, life-giving friendships for students and families. Families also have chances to interact at community events like the Serve-a-Thon, contra dances, science fair, picnics, and the play. 

There are as many homeschools as there are homes, and each home approaches technology differently. Some families use a fully online program, in which students utilize virtual classes, digital textbooks and libraries, educational apps, multimedia learning resources, and virtual assessments on a computer or a tablet. Other families choose the opposite approach and homeschool totally tech-free. Many families fall somewhere in between, employing screens for some academic subjects or types of projects, but not all. Homeschooling allows parents to discern the appropriate amount and format of technology for their children’s use as well as when to introduce them. Parents also directly observe how tech impacts their children and their development. 

HOW WE DO IT:

Greenhouse takes a modest approach to technology. When students arrive, they leave their cell phones at the front desk for the duration of the school day. Within the classrooms, teachers may use slides or video clips, but most of the classroom experience is screen-free. Such an environment facilitates students being more present to one another, the material they are studying, and even themselves. Much of our time is spent on creative projects, rehearsing performing arts, conducting labs and experiments, making artwork, playing group games, and holding face-to-face discussions. These methods are engaging and memorable, and make the most of our in-person learning opportunities. At home, families will access assignments online and may follow links to suggested resources. In some instances, students will be asked to create or submit work online, more so for older students than younger students. 

Increasingly colleges are happy to accept homeschool graduates who can demonstrate that their education has prepared them for higher education. Many colleges actively recruit homeschoolers and have dedicated admissions processes for them. If homeschooling in high school, you will need to prepare a detailed transcript for your student. It’s a good idea also to solicit letters of recommendation. Have your student take the SAT or ACT, and encourage their participation in extracurriculars, community service, and leadership roles. If a student needs certain credits for admission to a particular program, a community college or a summer course at a university may serve well. 

HOW WE DO IT:

Greenhouse provides detailed course descriptions for all of our high school offerings, as well as a transcript-writing workshops for our families. Many of our courses are honors-level; in fact, most of our upperclassmen earn college credit for the humanities coursework which they take at Greenhouse. Our graduates have gone on to over 40 different colleges and universities. Some have attended Christian schools like Wheaton College, Asbury, Biola, Taylor, and Calvin. Others have attended universities including Northwestern, UIC, DePaul, and University of Virginia. Most of our students have been offered admission to the schools of their choice.

Some studies indicate that homeschooled students pursue higher education at a lower rate than  students from traditional schools. However, reports also show that, compared to traditionally-schooled students, homeschool grads earn higher GPAs in their freshman year of college. They also have higher college graduation rates than their peers. Generally, homeschoolers perform very well academically and socially in college, often demonstrating strong self-discipline, independence, and motivation. They also tend to enter college with a robust breadth of experiences, gained through childhood and adolescent years customized to their unique needs and interests. Because of the flexibility of homeschooling, some students are not accustomed to facets of traditional schooling, for example, timed tests or deadlines with penalties. Wise homeschooling parents ensure that their students have experience with these.

HOW WE DO IT:

Our professional faculty are strong guides; and many graduates have said that their education at Greenhouse was even more robust than their college classes. During high school, our students work from a syllabus, and learn to manage their time with a class that meets only once or twice a week. They learn to meet deadlines, and have opportunities to collaborate with classmates. Our high school program, Rhetoric, consists of cohort-style learning, discussions, robust study and written work, assessments that challenge them in good ways, and public speaking opportunities. Whether or not our graduates pursue higher education (and most of them do), each one leaves Greenhouse equipped with a solid foundation of learning that can serve them wherever God leads them. 

Many areas have local or online homeschooling communities that can offer advice, resources, and social opportunities. There are abundant curricular options tailored for homeschooling which can be purchased or found online (some are free), in addition to online learning platforms. Books, workshops, and courses can also offer a comprehensive guide to homeschooling from the educator’s perspective, and lesson planning websites offer ideas and projects to supplement your child’s learning.

HOW WE DO IT:

We recognize that becoming a home educator can feel overwhelming. This is why we believe co-schooling is so important. At Greenhouse we have created a system that doesn’t compete with the parents’ primary role as educators, but comes alongside to offer support and structure for homeschooling families. We make some curricular decisions for you, and curate resources to build from. In other areas, such as language arts and math, parents make their own curriculum choices. For each core class at Greenhouse, we provide a syllabus to help parents see exactly what is covered. We also offer workshops to address the needs of home educating parents. Our professional faculty has been trained in effective methods for teaching, lesson planning, and assessing student learning. They cover areas of specialized skill or knowledge that a parent may lack. In addition to our faculty, families become part of a community of homeschoolers who support and encourage each other. We regularly hear that our approach is what makes families feel that they can homeschool, since they are not left to figure everything out on their own. 

Yes! Many towns have sports teams, music ensembles, and drama groups for students that are  facilitated through park districts  or nonprofits. Many schools, public and private, will allow home educated children to participate in various classes, activities, or programs. The degree of openness, paperwork, and cost will vary district to district and school to school.  A benefit of homeschooling is that students can dive more deeply into the activities that they love because they can complete their academic work more efficiently. This allows them to allocate more time to their interests or invest deeply in passion projects.

HOW WE DO IT:

Many special interests are built into the curriculum at Greenhouse. All core students in grades 1-8 get to participate in music, dance, and drama leading to performances before live audiences where they share what they have learned as a gift to the community. Similarly, students in grades 1-8 participate in studio art which culminates in a week-long art show. High school students who are interested in fine arts may take electives in art, or improv, or help with the annual play. We also offer electives in outdoor adventure skills, etiquette and foreign languages. We offer communities for young writers and sponsor contra dances throughout the year. Beyond Greenhouse, we have students involved in competitive swimming, cross country, soccer, football, baseball, bands and orchestras in local schools. Others do ballet, or participate in community theater. We have found that many of our students are able to be involved in a variety of activities because their schedule are flexible and their study time is more efficient than students in traditional schools.

Every family is different. A parent does not necessarily have to give up a job to homeschool a child, but doing both requires planning and adjustments. It may mean reducing work hours and/or working remotely, as well as sharing teaching responsibilities between spouses or with other family members. Drop-off programs like co-ops and classes as well as online courses reduce the amount of time the parent is spending actively teaching a child. Having structured daily routines and learning goals can aid productivity and efficacy for homeschooling families. 

HOW WE DO IT:

As a drop-off program at which most students spend one full day a week, Greenhouse frees up time for parents to spend on other things. In our co-schooling model,  we assign homework and vet resources which removes some of the burden from parents. We do not eliminate parental responsibility, but do help make homeschooling easier. Over the years, we have served a number of families in which both parents work. Granted, choosing to homeschool requires a re-ordering of priorities. Relinquishing or reducing time in a satisfying career is difficult, but the positive impact homeschooling can have on a family is priceless. 

Compared to public education, homeschooling is more expensive. Compared to private education, it’s likely to be considerably less expensive. Within these realities, the costs of homeschooling can vary widely depending on decisions you make as a family. Some families spend several hundred dollars per student each year; while others spend several thousand. Costs can include things such as published curricula, online courses, elective classes, museum memberships, tuition for co-school/co-ops, or tutoring. Determine how much you’re willing to spend on curriculum materials and resources within your family budget. (Remember to factor in any reduction in wages in your budget.) Some curricula are more expensive but offer comprehensive packages, while others may be more budget-friendly. Also factor in potential extra costs for supplementary materials, field trips, or extracurricular activities. There are many ways to save money if you get creative and buy pre-owned textbooks and materials.

HOW WE DO IT:

The tuition which Greenhouse charges is all-inclusive. You won’t have to worry about extra fees throughout the year related to student’s curricular events, projects, or experiences. Tuition admits students into a well-established and proven program, professional teachers, a well-kept facility, and memorable experiences with a robust, like-minded community.  Tuition at Greenhouse, which is significantly less expensive than private education, covers about 80% of the cost of the program, with donations covering the rest.

It’s generally never too late to start homeschooling. Granted, homeschooling in the early years allows you to tailor your child’s education from the very start. However, many families successfully transition to homeschooling part-way through their child’s education. It’s important  to know and comply with your state’s laws and regulations regarding home schooling. If you transition to homeschool during high school, make sure you have a record of the courses, grades, and credits which your student completed in school to help in preparing the transcript. Provide opportunities for your student to continue building existing friendships, while also offering new socialization opportunities for your child. When making the transition, seek out resources such as homeschooling groups, curriculum providers, and online courses to help provide structure and support for your child's learning needs.

HOW WE DO IT:

We are pleased to welcome new students wherever they are on their homeschooling journey. Our admissions process is designed to ensure the most effective placement for a student. Through orientations, a buddy system, and committed volunteers who help new families, we ease the transition from traditional school to homeschooling. As a community, we are very intentional in welcoming and equipping new students into Greenhouse. Many new families have even started at Greenhouse mid-way through the school year without issue. Students generally adjust quickly and enjoy the familiarity of our classroom learning, teachers, and consistent schedule, which are not too different from what they know from more traditional learning settings.

Invite your spouse to name their specific concerns about homeschooling. Open and honest conversations allow you to get to the root of the matter as a team, and sort through the reservations one or both of you may have. Concerns often center around the impact homeschooling may have on one of the spouses more so than homeschooling as a philosophy; so discuss that as well. Resources like this webpage can help an uncertain spouse develop a more complete vision of what homeschooling actually looks like. Make an effort to connect with other couples who are homeschooling. Ask them how they do it, why they do it, and what they would recommend. If you are people of faith, praying together is a powerful part of the discernment process as well. Bear in mind that in the early years there will likely be trial and error as you explore how your child learns best. It will be important to give yourself, and your child, grace as you try things, make mistakes, change your mind on curriculum and learning methods. It takes time to figure out the best approach because every family is unique. And at the end of the day, remember that choosing to homeschool is not an irreversible decision. 

HOW WE DO IT:

At Greenhouse, through our Introductory events we cast a vision for homeschooling and the value of co-schooling that can be helpful and comforting to skeptical spouses. Our team at Greenhouse is ready to address the reservations which people commonly have about homeschooling. We are happy to answer questions and provide resources in individual conversations. We can help you make connections with other homeschoolers, whose story or situation may be comparable to your own. 

The process of choosing curricula requires knowledge of your child as a student as well as a good deal of research. Does your child learn best through visual, auditory, or kinesthetic methods? Some curricula are more hands-on, while others are more text-based or interactive. Consider which subject areas require extra support and take into account the topics your child is passionate about in order to make learning more engaging. Factor in your academic goals and philosophies. Are you focused on college preparation, practical life skills, or a broad-based education? Do you have a preference for traditional, classical, Montessori, Charlotte Mason, or unschooling? If possible, try sample lessons or trial periods of different curricula to see how well they work for your child. Always be prepared to adjust or switch curricula if needed. The right curriculum should evolve with your child’s needs and interests.

HOW WE DO IT:

Choosing curricula can be overwhelming because there are so many different resources available, each designed to accomplish different goals. At Greenhouse, we have vetted and chosen, or created, learning resources that are engaging, high-quality, robust, tried-and-true, and aligned with our mission. Parents still choose curricula for subject areas we do not cover. They can always supplement their child’s Greenhouse learning with additional resources. Teachers are ready to work with parents to adjust certain assignments or texts in order to meet the needs of a particular student or family. Beyond the Greenhouse curriculum, our team of faculty and staff are available to offer advice or recommend educational resources they find valuable so parents don’t have to navigate such decisions all on their own. Similarly, the broader community of Greenhouse families is also an excellent resource. Often, families will share their recommendations with one another or even pass along curricula they have found effective when their students have finished with it.