1. Read a few good books about home education. As you learn about its advantages and the potential challenges, as well as the different approaches you can take, you will be able to consider what would work best for your family.

2. Establish a vision and set goals: Why are you home educating and what do you hope to achieve? Remember to be realistic; the home education journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Be willing to adjust your short-term goals if you discover you’ve been overly ambitious or if unexpected circumstances arise.

Read more: 12 Helpful Tips for the Beginning Home Educator

Welcome to a new way of thinking and living, one that thousands of families have found to be very rewarding. This page is an introduction to the discovery of a new lifestyle. It is in no way intended to be comprehensive, but only a guide to point you down the path of the home education adventure.

Our goal is not to tell you what is right for your family, because what is right for one family may not be right for another family. We want to come alongside of you and share some of what we have learned and let you take it from there. The journey is worth the time and effort.

Read more: So You are Thinking About Home Educating . . .

Q: Why do families home school?

A: Many Christian parents are committed to educating their children at home. Their underlying motivation is the conviction that this is God’s will for their family. They are concerned for the spiritual and character development as well as the social and academic welfare of their children. Specific advantages have been expressed as follows:

• Opportunity is available for spiritual training and presenting a biblical perspective of all academic subjects.
• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov.9:10, NAS).
• Home schooling makes quality time available to train and influence children in all areas in an integrated way.
• Each child receives individual attention and has his unique needs met.
• Parents can control destructive influences such as various temptations, false teachings (including secular humanism and occult influences of the New Age movement), and negative peer pressure.
• Children gain respect for their parents as teachers.
• The family experiences unity, closeness, and mutual enjoyment of each other.
• Children develop confidence and independent thinking away from the peer pressure to conform and in the security of their own home.
• Children have time to explore new interests and to think.
• Communication between different age groups is enhanced.
• Tutorial-style education helps each child achieve his full potential.
• Flexible scheduling can accommodate fathers’ work and vacation times and allow time for many activities.

Read more: Frequently Asked Questions