When Rebecca started first grade back in 1999, her family made a life-changing decision: to homeschool. Thirteen years later, her mother reflects on why they chose this path, what worked for them, and what she’s learned along the way.

Why We Chose to Homeschool

Several reasons shaped our decision. First, my husband Michael and I promised each other that we’d do everything in our power to be present at home for our children, and we felt strongly that God was leading us to homeschool.

When Rebecca started first grade back in 1999, her family made a life-changing decision: to homeschool. Thirteen years later, her mother reflects on why they chose this path, what worked for them, and what she’s learned along the way.

Second, we wanted Rebecca to receive not just a solid academic foundation but also guidance on how to carry herself as a child of God.

Lastly, fear played a role. At the time, school shootings were on the rise, and as a qualified teacher, I thought, “Why not teach her at home?”

Our Homeschool Program of Choice

From first grade through twelfth, we used Griggs International Academy, an accredited program built on the Seventh-day Adventist curriculum—the same curriculum I grew up with and later taught.

For grades 1–8, I absolutely loved the program. It was challenging but deeply rewarding, and it centered on faith. Middle school, however, required more structure and self-motivation from Rebecca. By then, Griggs shifted the responsibility more directly onto the student. To support her, we leaned on friends for help with Spanish and hired a tutor for math—my weaker subject.

High school with Griggs was a positive experience overall. Rebecca enjoyed about 80% of her courses and appreciated that many instructors were accessible online—and even by phone—to answer questions. The coursework was demanding and sometimes pricey, but the quality of education and the spiritual foundation made it worth it.

Accreditation Matters—But It’s Not Everything

Griggs is fully accredited, which helped when documenting grades for college applications. That said, some colleges still require placement tests, regardless of accreditation.

For the early years, ages 4 to 7, we didn’t use an accredited program. I believe formal curriculum isn’t necessary that young; teaching through daily life, play, music, arts, and gross motor activities is more appropriate. But starting in first grade, I strongly recommend a structured program to build a solid educational base.

Applying to University as a Homeschooler

The college application process wasn’t all that different for us—except we didn’t have a guidance counselor pushing deadlines. Starting in junior year, we researched Rebecca’s target schools, reviewed their requirements, and registered for the SAT. Her accredited transcript and solid test scores helped secure acceptance and scholarships.

Interestingly, Rebecca found the transition to college easier than she expected. As a homeschooler, she was already used to managing assignments independently, which mirrored the college model where professors assign work and expect it to be done without reminders.

Extracurriculars and Social Life

To ensure a balanced life, I enrolled my daughters in sports like gymnastics, swimming, tee ball, and tennis. They were also active in Adventurer and Pathfinder clubs and took piano lessons starting at age five. I found these programs through county recreation guides and local ads.

People often worry about homeschooled kids being “socialized,” but between church, sports, and other activities, my girls had plenty of interaction—often more meaningful because they learned to relate comfortably to adults, too.

Managing Home, School, and Sanity

Breaks were rare, especially as subjects grew harder. In the early grades, finishing school by early afternoon left time for housework, but later on, I had to prioritize teaching over cleaning.

The biggest pitfall? Thinking, “I’ll get to it tomorrow.” Sticking to a schedule was—will always remain—crucial.

Must-Haves for Homeschooling

Beyond obvious supplies like paper, pencils, art materials, and a dedicated learning space, patience and endurance are essential. Teaching your child to be an independent learner takes time and consistency, but it pays off: the more they own their education, the lighter your teaching load becomes.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, homeschooling wasn’t just an educational choice; it was a commitment to our family’s values and faith. It demanded sacrifices and taught us as parents just as much as it taught our children—but it also gave us years of learning, growth, and memories together that we wouldn’t trade for anything