You Don't Have to Homeschool
You shouldn't have to choose between your convictions and your child's education.
Let's get something straight right out of the gate: I have tremendous respect for homeschooling families.
Teaching your own children is no small undertaking. It requires commitment, patience, sacrifice, and a willingness to take personal responsibility for one of the most important parts of your child's development.
And I applaud it.
But I also have a question.
When did homeschooling become something parents felt they had to do just to protect their children and ensure they received a decent education?
Because for many families, homeschooling wasn't necessarily the dream. It was the solution to a problem they never should have had to solve.
And I think we need to talk about that.
You Never Imagined You'd Have to Make This Choice
For many families, homeschooling wasn't part of the original plan.
It became the answer to a question they never imagined they'd have to ask:
How do I give my child a good education without compromising what matters most to our family?
Then came COVID.
Suddenly, parents had a front-row seat to their children's education. Lessons moved into living rooms, classroom conversations happened within earshot, and families began paying closer attention to what their children were learning.
And for some parents, what they discovered was troubling.
Concerns about declining academic performance, sexually explicit library materials, political ideology in classrooms, and the treatment of religious expression led families to question whether their children's schools still reflected their priorities.
Many began asking questions. Some felt their concerns were dismissed. Others simply decided they'd had enough.
And they started looking for alternatives.
Because parents weren't asking for anything particularly outrageous.
They wanted their children to learn to read, write, calculate, reason, and think independently. They wanted age-appropriate lessons, clear expectations, good character, and a school that respected their role as parents.
You didn't necessarily leave traditional schooling because you dreamed of becoming a teacher. You left because you wanted something better for your child.
And I respect that.
Why Do Parents Consider Changing Schools?
Sometimes it takes one experience to make a parent reconsider their child's school.
Other times, it's a hundred little things that finally add up.
Maybe your child is falling behind and nobody seems particularly concerned. Maybe you've discovered something in the curriculum that raises serious questions. Or perhaps you've grown tired of feeling like your involvement in your child's education is tolerated rather than welcomed.
Whatever the reason, parents deserve straight answers.
And there are a few questions I think every family should feel comfortable asking.
"Is My Child Learning What They Need to Know?"
This one should be fairly straightforward, shouldn't it?
Is your child learning to read proficiently? Write clearly? Understand mathematics? Develop the knowledge and foundational skills necessary to think critically and solve problems?
And if they're struggling, what's the plan?
Because "they're doing fine" isn't especially reassuring when you can see your child is having difficulty with basic skills.
Parents deserve to know whether their children are meeting academic expectations, where they're struggling, and what the school intends to do about it.
High expectations and meaningful support should go hand in hand.
A child who's behind needs instruction that helps them catch up. And a child who's ready for more needs opportunities to be challenged.
Neither should be left sitting in a classroom waiting for someone to notice.
"Are School Books and Lessons Right for My Child's Age?"
I don't think parents should have to become amateur investigators just to find out what's on their children's reading lists.
Yet concerns about sexually explicit library materials, mature classroom discussions, and age-inappropriate content have led some families to question what their children are being exposed to at school.
And when parents ask questions, they deserve something better than being treated as though their concerns are unreasonable.
Children can absolutely learn about complex subjects and the world around them.
But there's a difference between educating children and unnecessarily exposing them to adult content and controversies before they're ready.
Parents deserve to know what materials are being used, how they're selected, and how concerns can be addressed.
That isn't interference. It's parenting.
At Freedom Academy, we abide by federal obscenity law, along with common sense, when determining school curricula and library materials.
"Are Lessons Teaching Skills or Pushing Political Views?"
Schools should be teaching children what they need to know and how to think critically about what they've learned.
That means teaching facts, building foundational knowledge, developing sound reasoning, and helping students distinguish between evidence and opinion.
But there's a big difference between teaching children what is true and telling them what they're required to believe.
A classroom should be a place where students can ask honest questions, examine ideas, and learn to defend their conclusions with knowledge and reason.
It shouldn't be a platform for an educator's personal political convictions.
And here's the thing: Children shouldn't have to guess which opinions will earn them approval from the adults responsible for teaching them.
That's the difference between education and indoctrination.
"Will Our Faith and Family Values Be Respected?"
You shouldn't have to wonder whether your child will be treated differently because of your family's religious beliefs or deeply held convictions.
And your child shouldn't feel that they have to hide those beliefs to fit in.
Schools serve families with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Respecting those differences is part of treating people with dignity.
But respect isn't a one-way street.
A school that teaches tolerance should be willing to demonstrate it when a child expresses a belief that differs from someone else's.
Parents deserve to know how religious expression, freedom of conscience, and differences in belief are handled.
And they should feel confident that their children will be treated fairly.
"Will the School Keep Me Informed?"
This really shouldn't be complicated.
If your child is struggling, you should know.
If there's a serious disciplinary concern, you should know.
If something significant is happening that affects your child's education or well-being, you shouldn't have to find out about it from another parent in the pickup line.
Parents shouldn't have to chase down information about their own children.
Good communication isn't about flooding families with emails or sending another newsletter nobody has time to read.
It's about being honest, responsive, and willing to have conversations—even the uncomfortable ones.
Because trust is difficult to build when parents feel like they're the last to know.
Homeschooling Is Admirable. But It Isn't for Everyone.
I have tremendous respect for homeschooling families.
Choosing to take responsibility for your children's education is no small undertaking. It requires commitment, intentionality, sacrifice, and a willingness to do what you believe is best for your family—even when the easier path would be to do something else.
And frankly, I think that deserves a whole lot more respect than it sometimes receives.
Some families absolutely love homeschooling.
They've found their rhythm, built wonderful learning communities, and discovered that home education works beautifully for their children.
Fantastic! Keep doing what works for your family.
But for others, homeschooling can be challenging.
Maybe you're balancing lessons with a full-time job. Maybe you're teaching three children at three different grade levels while trying to keep the household running. Or maybe you simply miss being Mom or Dad without also being the math teacher, reading instructor, science teacher, and principal.
For single parents and families where both parents work, homeschooling may not be financially or logistically realistic.
And some parents simply don't want to homeschool.
And you know what? That's okay, too.
Choosing a classroom education doesn't make you less invested in your child's future.
And choosing to homeschool doesn't make you opposed to schools.
Parents should have the freedom to determine what works best for their families without feeling pressured to justify that decision to everyone else.
You shouldn't have to become your child's full-time teacher just to remain the primary influence in their upbringing.
We're Homeschool Friendly!
Let me be clear about something.
At Freedom Academy, we don't believe every family needs to choose our school.
I know. That's probably not what you'd expect from a superintendent with a bottom line to watch. 😂
But educational freedom means respecting parents' choices, including the decision to educate their children at home.
We genuinely respect and celebrate homeschooling families. If your children are thriving and your current approach is working well, we're cheering you on.
We're also happy to have a conversation about supplemental learning opportunities if your family could use additional support. Reach out, tell us what you're looking for, and let's explore what might be possible.
And we understand that family circumstances change.
Maybe homeschooling has worked wonderfully for years, but your child is ready for a different experience. Maybe a change in employment has made your current arrangement difficult. Or maybe you're simply curious about what else is available.
Whatever brings you to the conversation, you're welcome here.
We're not anti-homeschool. We're pro-parent, pro-child, and pro-educational freedom.
Because educational freedom isn't really freedom if everyone is expected to make the same choice.
And if you're looking for a school that shares many of the priorities that led you to homeschooling in the first place, we think Freedom Academy is worth exploring.
What If There Were Another Option?
Imagine finding a school where your child could receive a strong academic education without your family having to set aside its convictions.
A place where teachers know your child, expect them to work hard, help them grow, and recognize when they need additional support.
A school where your involvement isn't treated like an inconvenience.
Sounds pretty reasonable, doesn't it?
It should. Because that's not some outrageous educational wish list. It's what I believe parents ought to be able to expect.
If you're considering an alternative to homeschooling, here are five things I'd encourage you to look for:
Respect for parental authority: A school that recognizes your primary responsibility for raising your child and welcomes your involvement.
A focus on academics: A curriculum that prioritizes reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history over political agendas.
Personal attention: Teachers who understand your child's strengths, recognize their struggles, and help them reach higher.
Lasting values: A school culture that reinforces responsibility, hard work, integrity, respect, and love of country.
Protection for childhood: Age-appropriate learning that gives children room to grow without unnecessarily burdening them with adult issues.
These aren't unreasonable expectations. And families shouldn't have to spend a fortune on private school tuition or reorganize their entire lives around homeschooling just to find them.
At Freedom Academy, these are priorities we take seriously.
And we'd love for you to see what that looks like.
Your Values Don't Have to Stop at the Classroom Door
Here's something I believe every parent should understand:
Sending your child to school doesn't mean handing over the responsibility for raising them.
Teachers have an important role in educating children. Parents have the primary responsibility for their upbringing.
Those roles should complement one another, not compete.
At Freedom Academy, our Pledge to Parents makes that commitment clear.
We respect the authority of parents and their role in decisions about their children's upbringing and well-being. We respect students' deeply held beliefs and their right to express them appropriately.
We're committed to age-appropriate educational materials, prioritizing core academic subjects, accurately teaching biological facts, and treating every child with dignity.
And we believe schools should never encourage children to keep secrets from their parents or deliberately withhold important information about their education, well-being, or personal development.
Parents shouldn't have to wonder whether the adults entrusted with their children are having conversations or making significant decisions behind their backs.
That shouldn't be controversial.
A Good School Needs More Than Good Intentions
Of course, saying all the right things is easy.
Every school has a mission statement. Every school talks about caring for students, providing academic excellence, and supporting families.
But what does that actually look like when the school day begins?
At Freedom Academy, we believe children deserve more than a seat in a classroom.
Our commitment to small class sizes gives teachers greater opportunities to understand individual students, recognize when they're struggling, and provide the attention they need.
A child who needs extra help should receive it. A child who's ready for more should be challenged.
And teachers deserve support, too.
Professional development, coaching, and engaged school leadership help educators strengthen their instruction and focus on what matters most: teaching children.
We want every student to be Known, Valued, and Cared For.
That means recognizing their strengths, celebrating their progress, correcting them when necessary, and helping them develop the character to make good decisions—even when nobody is watching.
But I also believe this:
Good intentions don't mean much if they don't translate into good decisions and consistent actions.
We're not promising that every day will be perfect or that we'll never make a mistake.
We're promising to take our responsibilities seriously, communicate with families, and continue working to become the kind of school parents can trust.
Because your children deserve that.
And so do you.
You Have More Choices Than You Think
If homeschooling is working beautifully for your family, I hope you keep doing exactly what you're doing.
And if we can support you along the way, we'd love the opportunity.
But if you're exhausted, overwhelmed, or simply wondering whether there's another way to give your child an excellent education without compromising your family's values, I want you to know something.
You have choices.
Returning to a classroom doesn't have to mean returning to the same concerns that led you to homeschool.
Your child deserves strong academics, meaningful relationships, and adults who expect them to grow.
You deserve the freedom to be a parent without feeling like you have to personally manage every aspect of your child's education.
Homeschooling should be a choice, not a last resort because you’ve lost faith in every other option.
And you deserve a school that welcomes your involvement, respects your authority, and works to earn your trust.
Let’s Talk!
If you're wondering whether there's a school that might be a good fit for your family, come see us.
Schedule a tour. Meet our teachers. Walk our campus. Bring your questions.
The easy ones and the uncomfortable ones.
Tell us about your child, what matters most to your family, and what you're looking for in a school.
Because choosing where your child learns shouldn't mean choosing which of your convictions you're willing to compromise.
Let's talk about what might be possible.
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