Hybrid Homeschooling
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As public and private schools face budget cuts and consolidation, many parents are looking for an alternative. Something that gives them more of a say in their children's education. And a growing number of families are finding the answer right at home. Small class size, 100 percent participation, and one-on-one attention. It seems like an ideal classroom. You'd expect this kind of personalized learning in a private school, but this is a new way of looking at homeschooling. "We can accomplish a lot more in the way of character building and building up families, not taking the role away from mom and dad, but supporting them," explains Bob Cree, Administrator at Westfield's Community Christian School. You could call it a sort of hybrid homeschooling. The school uses a university model where students come in about 2 or 3 days a week and study classes from math, to science to grammar. During the rest of the week, the students study at home with just a bit more flexibility. Trista Houston of Granville began homeschooling her four sons about five years ago. Today she's working with her youngest son Michael, while her other three sons are in classes at the Community Christian School in Westfield. Two days a week all her sons have "home days." They're given assignments from the school teachers and are guided through the work by their mom. The school is part of the National Association of University Model Schools. It's the first of its kind in New England, but there are 18 nation-wide. "They learn how to use their time wisely, because they have to get their work done in the day. So when they go to college they are better equipped," said Houston. Houston admits there are some classes she can't help with and that's why the Community Christian School is so important. "As they get older it gets more challenging, that's why the Community Christian School really is a great alternative. It allows you to spend that time with them but allowing them get the school they need that I can't teach like biology," said Houston. The school is meant to assist the parents, not replace them. The parents still have oversight over their kid's education. "We know that this school can not function apart from parental involvement. We need parents to be invested in a level that public schools are incapable of just by structure alone," said Cree. And when public schools don't work, they say this is a good alternative. It costs the parents $1,500 to $5,000 a year. "The schools are overcrowded, there are so many students in the school systems and its geared toward the MCAS in public schools," said Houston. The school has 67 students, but is growing every year. "You'll see more and more families turning to homeschooling, to maintain that control and to have an influence in their children's lives, but also to carry on their values, their value system," said Cree. Most PopularMore Good StuffAdvertisement
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