Homeschooling in a non religious way.....?

Question

I cannot find any homeschooling groups in my area or surrounding areas that are not religious. I want to homeschool but not for any religious reasons. Are there people who homeschool without using religion as a teaching base or am I out of luck finding a group that meets mine and my childs needs. Any websites out their that other homeschoolers are aware of?

I am an atheist, hippy, libertarian, punky vegan.....to give you an idea of what kind of individual i am.

Barbiq....this is why I am looking for groups in my local area, to have my child around other children as well.

Answer 1

Wow, I so wish you lived near us!! I home school both of my children and not for any religious reason. According to your description we sound a lot alike only we're pagan rather than atheist. We have a very large home school community here but they are all conservative Christians. For awhile the group was secular and this really awesome lady ran the group. In fact, she was also a piercer and I got all my body piercings from her. Ha! She was really fun and down to earth. Then she moved and this other woman took over the group. Now you have to sign a declaration of faith just to join. And they want us to pay dues. That doesn't make any sense as whenever the group does something you have to pay your own way. So, I'm not sure what that money is going to. About a year ago I attempted to attend a function. I sometimes try to make an effort, hoping I'll meet someone nice and the kids will make some friends. I met a lady who had just moved to the area and we were getting along great until she asked me which church I attended. I told her I don't go to church. I made no other comments about my religious beliefs. I just said that we do not go to church. She gave me the cold shoulder the rest of the day. I do know a few other families who home school for reasons other than religion. But we are certainly the minority.

One place I've gone to for support is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eldertreepaganhomeschool/

Otherwise I pretty much just do it on my own.

Answer 2

I live in North San Diego county, where homeschooling is quite common and has been endorsed by the public school system. Personally, I have chosen to send my children to public school, because, I believe in the public schools, teachers and administrators in my area. Many families that do home school in the area utilize charter schools that are popping up in the area. Charter schools are independent schools that utilize some state funds and run non-traditional schedules that are usually half-time classroom and half-time home school. Most homeschoolers (religious and secular students) attend classes twice a week for specialty classes and then do their core studies at home. The ones that I know get a broad perspective of life and learning by way of drama clubs, science groups, and lots of interaction with their parents. In theory, it's a great opportunity, but, I would just make my kids crazy and I do think that they really need the social interaction. IMO, homeschooling works well with children that may not do well in a regular classroom environment. You need to gain the perspective of what your child wants and needs and homeschool for the benefit of your child and not just what you think they what and need.

Answer 3

You may not find a group that totally meets your/your child's needs. However, Christians don't only talk about God. Most are decent people who are concerned about the best interests of their children and other children in simular situations. I've never met one (other than my husband behind closed doors) who bites. And we don't all even eat meat!

Most homeschooling parents are concerned about the quality (or lack there of) of the education in the schools, and people not pushing their beliefs on their children. If there are no totally "non-religous" groups in your area, are there maybe mixed faith groups that respect eachother's differences? I think that's an awesome value to teach your child. I hope you do, too!

Answer 4

Independent type, huh? Instead of looking for groups, you should be starting one. In our state, home school requires that the teaching parent of anyone in grade levels 9 - 12 have at least a baccalaurate degree from college; otherwise, a high-school diploma (or equivalent) will surfice for the primary years. The child is tested using national standardized testing to ensure that he or she is actually learning the basic material taught in public schools. I suggest that you contact your state's Department of Education; most are accessible online. Request any information available as to what type testing will be required of your child. It would be helpful to learn what concepts will be taught for your child's particular grade level or achievement level.

There are some helpful websites available; however, the ones that I have found are spiritual based and would not agree with your creed. Find out where the state's teachers select the textbooks to use for their classes. They should allow you to explore the texts and select and pay for those that you will use to teach with.

The website below may also be helpful...good luck with your efforts.

Answer 5

Oh man...there are a TON of yahoo groups just for you. There is this really great pagan one based out of Oklahoma, and another one that's called the wild tribe I think. Go to yahoo groups and google. I'm a Christian, but I honestly can't stand most of the Christian homeschooling groups. I'd rather be around authentic people...you might also look into groups like AlwaysLearning, and I think it's called FreedomLearning.

I don't know where you live or anything, but lots of times you can't find it IRL.

Answer 6

Hi, I am 17 and have been home schooled all my life. have you looked into 4-H clubs? they are not just for farm kids anymore. in fact I have lived in the city most of my life. they have anything you want, science, history, art, sewing, the list goes on and on. they sometimes even have home school groups. I was in one for years. the home school group I am in now was based from church, but we have expanded to all kinds of people and leave religion to the home part of home schooling, remember that. tomorrow we are going to a planetarium, and we went to a Renaissance fair 2 months ago. church matters, personal beliefs, any religious matters were left behind. so just because it is based from a church does not meen it is religious.

or you could start a group on your own, it really is not hard to do.

and do not listen to any one who says that homeschoolers are unsocial, this is a lie. now that I am in college I fit in fine, have lots of firends, and no social problems at all.

Answer 7

If you live in a rather large town, the city should have just a general "homeschooling group". If not, then check at a nearby city and see if they have one.

Answer 8

Sorry hon...but I AM a HIPPIE (HaSHBURY RULES!) hippies aren't athiests. There is no such thing as an Athiest hippie. Athiests don't beleive in anything other than here and now. They don't believe in any form of a higher power whatsoever.
Hippies on the other hand. are and always have been a blend of Christian/Pagan/Buddhist/Hinduism...Some lean more towards one religion as opposed to the others but there is still a higher power still a set of tennants to live by...Athiests don't live by any tennants. Anyway on to the subject of homeschooling
I don't know where you live though because all of the homeshools I've heard of have nothing do with any type of religion. I don't know of any links because my days of schooling my child either homeschool or public are long over.

Answer 9

I don't think homeschooling is a great idea. Kids need to be around other kids of the same age and stage. Although I do have a friend that home-schools all 10 of her children... Does your local school district have any kind of cyber-school program? Or any large city schools near you?

Answer 10

DEAR JUST DO NOT TEACH WITH THE BIBLE OK TAKE CARE YOU CAN TEACH WITH OUT