Homeschool co-op offers enriching curriculum

SCHROON | With homeschooling being on the rise nationally, a group of area parents (who double as dedicated educators) have created a unique organization that has allowed their kids to reap the rewards of a more traditional classroom setting, while remaining faithful to the homeschooling model. Adirondack Home Education Fellowship (AHEF), which functions under the statewide organization Homeschool NY, has nearly 70 kids (26 kids in grades 9-12, 14 in grades 6-8, 15 in grades 3-5 grade, and 12-14 in grades K-2) enlisted, with families coming from surrounding areas like Bolton, Chestertown, Brant Lake, Schroon Lake, Olmsteadville, and Indian Lake. According to Rebecca Wyant Sobek, AHEF steering committee member, 20 years ago a handful of homeschool families in the Schroon Lake area would get together once a week for their students to participate in a communal gym class. By 2019, that small group had grown to 12 families making the trek for their children to experience the benefits of physical activity in a structured team setting. Co-op coordinator, Erica Matthews, and a few other moms decided it would be practical to branch out and move to a three or four period day, and that is how AHEF got its beginnings. Now in addition to gym class, there are one to two other classes per grade group available for the young minds to participate in. "Homeschool co-ops vary quite a bit," Sobek explained. "AHEF is considered an 'enrichment co-op.' We try to offer classes for subjects that would be hard to do at home, like art or gym, and other classes that enrich the curriculum you are already doing." Right now, AHEF has a logic class it is doing with the 6th through 8th graders. The younger grade groups are currently enjoying "Creative Expressions" where they are learning skills like public speaking. High school level students have soaked up health and first-aid. AHEF also takes the students on field trips once a month to places like the New York State Museum, the museum at Blue Mountain Lake, the planetarium and aquarium, the police and fire stations; they have even made chocolate in North Creek. "We want to dispel the myth that homeschooling is not anti-public school," Sobek said. "It's simply for parents who want another option." Sobek and her fellow co-op families are not alone in that sentiment. According to the Empire Center for Public Policy, New York State's homeschool enrollment jumped a whopping 178 percent between 2013 and 2023. The Washington Post reported that homeschooling is the fastest growing form of education in the entire country, rising a startling 50 percent compared to pre-COVID levels. Sobek was homeschooled all the way through high school graduation. Though both her mother and father were teachers in the public school system, they weren't keen on the agendas being taught in the schools, and believed they could do a better job at home. Sobek always knew that when the time came, she wanted to do the same with her offspring. "My experience was a good one, I think my parents did a great job," Sobek said. "We want a say in what our kids think and believe. Homeschooling gives me a much closer relationship with my kids because I am interacting with them way more hours out of the day and provides us a close-knit family dynamic. Homeschooling also gives me an opportunity to work on character issues- that is my responsibility as a parent to make sure my kid comes out as someone people want to be around." The requirement in New York State is 180 days, when and how that is achieved is up the discretion of the household, offering far more flexibility in scheduling. Sobek noted that the ability to individualize instruction to a child's specific learning type and needs is also a huge advantage. "Compared when in a classroom of 10-20 other kids, if you have a kid struggling to read you have more ability to help them on an individual level through types of curriculum," she said. And anyone can be a homeschool instructor, there is no certification requirement. There of course is a learning curve to the paperwork that New York State requests which may be daunting initially, but Sobek said what was once a little intimidating at first has now become second nature. "It isn't always easy, but it is very rewarding," Sobek said of the entire instructing experience. The thought of how students who are homeschooled learn socialization and communication skills is the age-old question, but Sobek claims that if a person were to meet a homeschooled child vs. one who attends public school, they would not notice a difference. "I think if you were to meet 90 percent of homeschool families, you wouldn't even know," she assured. "There are so many ways to socialize; one benefit from the co-op is that kids get to be in a more traditional setting with their peers. But it's not just peers that are important, being with adults and people outside your peer group and being able to interact with different age groups is also essential to development." And though homeschool kids are currently not allowed to play on public school sports teams, Sobek said people are trying to get that legislation changed. "It would be a great benefit to schools and the homeschool community," she remarked. In providing its valuable supplemental educational and character building experience, AHEF meets once a week, beginning the morning with a general assembly, announcements, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a short prayer time before classes commence. All four grade groups have art and gym class, so periods are rotated in 40-45 minute increments. The other two classes per grade group vary from school year to school year; there has been career exploration, speech, debate, yearbook, and even banquet planning. "I would say everyone that is part of our group finds it a huge benefit," Sobek said. "It is encouraging to be around a community of like-minded people, it gives you the little shot in the arm to keep going." Sobek commended the Schroon Lake community for the continued support it shows to AHEF. For this year's Christmas party, Larry and Elizabeth MacNamara from The Strand donated several movie tickets as prizes, with Larry also purchasing several prize items when another local donation fell through. 9 Mile Coffee, DeCeasar's Pizza, Jin's Asian Garden, and Mountain Petroleum also donated to the cause. "Schroon Lake in general is a really awesome community, they support anybody," Sobek said. "This is the second or third year we have gotten donations from businesses in town. Stewart's has donated to our beginning-of-the-year kickoff party for families and do ice cream and hot dogs for that. Schroon Lake in general is very positive towards the homeschool community." For more information on homeschooling your own child, please visit www.leah.org. Anyone interested in exploring becoming part of the AHEF co-op is encouraged to visit homeschool-life.com.

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Homeschool co-op offers enriching curriculum

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