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By Root 371 0

as a crutch, despite their contention that they are strong supporters of unschooling. It also feels as though what we did was “buy” a diploma. It’s a little hard to explain, but I suppose Clonlara became just another institution that was there to shore up my confidence that what I was doing was right. I should not have needed it. How do I help those who are coming up behind me to stand on their own legs if I resorted to that crutch?

I was also uncomfortable philosophically with Clonlara’s advice to my daughter that she present herself to prospective colleges as a private school student. It may have made the admissions process easier, but it always felt a bit dishonest to me.

So why are we continuing to use West River Academy? Mostly because it allows us to document the fact that our son is a full-time student should our health insurer ever ask. He will be a full-time student for many years to come, but we need that piece of paper to document it, especially after he turns eighteen. With West River, all we are required to do is fill out the application and write a brief annual report.—Carol, Florida

My son chose to sign up for a Spanish class and science workshops. There is an Alpine Wilderness Experience offered as well, which will take one day a week and will fulfill all the time requirements for on-site participation. We will most likely do this, as we’ll be going up to the pass for snowboarding, snowshoeing, skiing, rock climbing, nature studies, etc. Friends who took this class last year loved it.

I’m taking this whole thing a day at a time and will not hesitate to turn tail and run if I find anything I don’t like. Our program “expects” us to participate in testing. However, the law allows us to opt out by giving written notification.

So far, the program is progressing swimmingly. Much to my unschooling heart’s surprise, my son loves his Spanish and science classes and wants to sign up for music appreciation and shop class, too. I’m enjoying the camaraderie of hanging out on the site with other homeschooling families, and my three-year-old daughter certainly likes playing with the other kids.

I may start teaching a half-hour “kindergarten” class twice a week, because there are parents who want some sort of fun group experience for their younger kids. There would be just about enough time to have a short circle time, with songs and fingerplays, and a story or two. The cool part about this is that my three-year-old is welcome to participate and my ten-year-old wants to help out, too!—Barb, Washington

Being part of our charter school has worked so well for us that my husband has become an educational specialist there. This has been great! Many of our homeschooling friends’ children have become his students, and we’ve been able to set up some wonderful small group classes—horsemanship, art, and science—using creative people in our community.

I also like all the educational supplies. I only check out what we can use. The extra books, musical equipment, and science kits have really benefited my children.

Some close friends and family members who would never before have considered homeschooling have signed their children up with our charter school. For these families and many others, being part of a charter school is the only way they would homeschool. They like the assistance and support of a credentialed teacher and would feel uncomfortable homeschooling alone.

We are homeschoolers, even though we are part of a charter school. If at any time I feel I am giving in or conforming to a system that will not benefit my children, I will immediately withdraw them from the program.—Elizabeth, California

One mid-May weekend, I just happened to buy a newspaper, and just happened to come across an ad that read “Homeschoolers! We can help!” I called the number given and got an answering machine which told me, “Welcome to IDEA—Alaska’s newest statewide homeschooling support program,” which turned out to be part of the Galena City School District.

I spent the next three days speaking with the principal