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Home schooling in Tehachapi
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Posted by editor Wed Nov 30, -0001 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments “I have been allowed the privilege of imagining what a great educational system could be and putting it into action,” said Linda Smith, founder of Valley Oaks Charter School in Tehachapi.

Smith, a former instructor at Wells Elementary, was selected eight years ago to create Tehachapi's Valley Oaks Charter School, a public school chartered by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

She explained Valley Oaks Charter School is a hybrid of home academics and a great place for students to use the classrooms, meet other students and utilize the free services of Valley Oaks.

“We have Tehachapi children whose parents now have a guaranteed choice in education. We are state-funded and hold students to the same state educational standardized testing of traditional public school children,” she explained. “We also provide classes for parents to better teach their children.”

Tehachapi parents Adrian and Teri Moore said their children have never been in a traditional school. They would not want it any other way, Teri Moore stated.

Moore explained that their personal decision to home-school their daughters, ages eight and 10, was because her husband, Adrian, spends nearly half his time on the road.

“I cannot speak for all home schoolers, but we definitely saw it as a way to have more quality family time.”

“Home-schooling has had a great positive effect on our family life and togetherness. That is our leading reason. We choose what our children learn, spending  time on the academic areas where they need more help,” Moore explained. “We believe we have solid judgment about what is in the best interest of our children.”
While the Moore children attend activities and use services at Valley Oaks Charter School, Moore said they regularly take their children on field trips and other activities so they can meet and work with other home schooled children. 

“The socialization process is very important. In fact, there are so many opportunities to be social that we have to work classes around it,” she said, laughing.

Both Smith and Moore said one of the most exciting program at Valley Oaks is the Tall Ships program where students study marine biology, ship sailing and teamwork by going out on a sailboat, anchored near Catalina Island. Smith estimates that over 700 Tehachapi students have gone on the Tall Ships program over the years.

The Moores have taken their two daughters to Guatemala, Monterrey, Los Angeles and all over America to study.

“The world is our classroom,” Moore said.

But Moore pointed out that by the very nature of Tehachapi's enveloping community, home school students get so many advantages. Besides quality education, they can attend symphonies, cultural arts events and even sports participation through Tehachapi Valley Recreation “My girls are learning strategy, teamwork and discipline by being in a local chess club,” said Moore, “But they also participate in hikes and activities as part of our Friday lunches in the city park. The Co-op group is most rewarding.”

There is no formula or model for  Tehachapi home school parents. Many utilize the services of Valley Oaks. Many do it on their own. Many use computer-related curriculums for their child student. Some use the online California Home School Network. 

And now there is yet another state-of-the-art option, Connections Academy.
“This online curriculum program is highly-specialized and internet-safe,” said Jonathan Horowitz, Connections Academy Principal of Capistrano and Central California.

“As an administrator in a traditional brick-and-mortar public environment, I saw that students were sometimes impeded by their environment,” said Horowitz. 
“Some students learn better by themselves with the help of a learning coach. Connections Academy brings the state-of-the-art curriculum, flexibility and credentialed teachers online at all times,” Horowitz explained. “We offer three levels of training:  standard, basic and honors programs.”

Horowitz stressed that children do not just sit online in front of a computer. Four major field trips are planned for this month.

“With constant online monitoring, our group can change software immediately to meet parental needs. Unlike traditional schools, the textbooks can change almost immediately,” he explained.

No matter what the method of home-schooling used, Smith, Moore and Horowitz  concur: Home schooling promotes well-being, a solid education, great socialization and people skills with well-rounded students who become productive members of the community.

“I don't see us ever going to the traditional school,” said Teri Moore. “It's a difficult job of time-management, discipline and activity.  But the rewards so definitely worth it.”

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