Every Friday morning, around 10 am, you might see a band of slightly feral, school-aged children climbing trees, splashing through streams, and running freely through the outdoor spaces around Lexington County. It’s not uncommon for people to question, “Why aren’t they in school today?” but these kids are enjoying the best part of their entire school week. They’re part of a homeschool group that brings homeschool families together for social interaction, physical activity, and nature immersion.
While the formal group may meet only once a week, the relationships that have formed within it have led to more than just a weekly playdate. Valentine exchanges, leprechaun and Easter egg hunts, birthday parties, and field trips are just a few of the activities that these kids experience together, but the relationships don’t just stop at the kids. The parents have created a support network for each other, sharing ideas, curriculum, learning opportunities, child-care, and friendship.
Homeschooling often gets the reputation for creating awkward and socially unaware kids due to their being at home, as opposed to a traditional school environment, but modern homeschool mothers feel strongly that this isn’t an issue. Becky Teal is a Lexington mother whose children began their school journey in a traditional classroom but later switched to homeschooling. She shared, “The ‘socialization’ question is easily the biggest misconception about modern homeschooling. Many people picture kids isolated at a kitchen table all day, but the reality looks so different. Our kids are actively out living and learning in the real world.”
No longer is it normal for homeschooling to be an isolated learning system, but advances in technology, social media, and community resources have created more flexible and immersive learning experiences. According to the Thomas Fordham Institute for educational research, homeschooling has experienced steady growth over the last 15 years with a dramatic surge in 2020 thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many families that would have never considered homeschooling before, were forced to do it by the distancing restrictions placed at the time. Because of this, new resources and technology for at-home learning exploded as well. However, even after restrictions were lifted, homeschooling numbers did not return to their previous levels, as many families became more confident in their ability to educate their own children.
While homeschooling is certainly not for everyone, many families have come to realize the freedom it creates for their families, not being tied to traditional school schedules and calendars. A recent transplant from Minnesota, Maipacher Hawkins, found that homeschooling has allowed her children to spend time with their father, who works odd hours in the hospitality industry. If they went to a traditional school, they would be away for the majority of the time when their father was home. This also allows them more flexibility in visiting family back in Minnesota, as school can be incorporated into travel plans. There are no school excuses for doctor’s visits or make-up work to stress about. Parents are able to be the main curator of their kid’s academics, which allows for greater understanding of where their children are academically. This leads to better, more personalized accommodations for learning deficits, and encourages exploration into what interests their student.
Homeschooling is not easy or perfect by any means, but Hawkins feels that “the fruit of the labor” of homeschooling is truly worth it when your kids still tell stories to each other before bed well into their middle school and high school years. “They crave time together, can hold honest and difficult conversations with us, and hold hands in prayer without embarrassment because we chose to teach our children not just academics at home but character building, relationship, faith, and being present,” she said.
In a digital age where kids are becoming more and more inundated by influencers and social trends, many parents see homeschooling as a tool to help reclaim their position as their children’s main guiding force.
Homeschooling in Lexington and the Midlands
Lexington and Columbia areas offer great opportunities for kids to have hands-on experiences. Here are a few local options:
- The Lexington County Museum has numerous programs for homeschool groups that are offered at no cost. The assortment of historical buildings gives visitors a realistic experience of what life was like in the past. For the homeschool programs, the volunteers guide the students through a tour and include a relevant craft or game depending on the selected program.
- The South Carolina State Museum allows for free admission for homeschool students and one adult with their Homeschool Association card.
- Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens offers educational programs for homeschool students from ages 5-14.
- County Libraries offer a variety of programs throughout the year. Make sure to check out the website to see what local branches have to offer.
Lexington’s central location in the state also allows for easy day trips to many historical sites. Many of these places have specialized homeschool days or discounts on admission.
Local Co-Ops and Meet-Ups
Despite its name, for many, not all schooling is done at home. Through the formation of co-op groups, parents have found alternatives to shouldering the entire weight of their child’s academic experience. Some of them include:
- Arrows Academy
- Excelsior Academy
- Classical Conversations
- HERO Homeschool Group
- Carolina Kids Co-Op
Even if a parent doesn’t want to commit to a co-op, there are social meet-up groups that allow kids and parents to meet friends and create a community.
Facebook groups:
- Homeschool Hangouts SC
- Homeschool Mama’s of the Midlands
- Wild + Free Lexington