Homeschooling alive and well in Alpine County

Why do some parents choose to homeschool their children? Three of the Alpine County homeschooling families I spoke with recently (the Rickford, Tinseth and Galvez families) gave the following reasons: They wish to encourage their children to be free thinkers, using their own discernment rather than conforming; they appreciate the benefits of a flexible schedule; they prefer to take educational trips out of the tourist season; they value the freedom to design the curricula which best suit their children; the children were having difficulties at school; they want to take advantage of living in this beautiful county by spending as much time outdoors as possible; religious convictions; they feel it is vital for the children to have the leisure to discover their passions and pursue them. One reason shared by all the families is simply that they enjoy being with their children.

Is it legal to homeschool in California? Yes. The families file an affidavit as a private school with the state. In 2008, homeschooling was declared illegal in California as the result of a lawsuit. For a month, homeschooling families became outlaws until the new law was reversed. These three Alpine families pay $100 per year to belong to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

What about socialization? All three families participate to varying degrees in the Faith Homeschool Cooperative (faithhomeschoolers.com) headquartered in Carson Valley. Two classes are offered every Thursday. These classes vary each semester and include instruction in dance, musical theatre and phonics. Women's Health, a class for girls, and biology are taught by Lenny Sue Tinseth, mother of five, a homeschooler for 17 years and Alpine County midwife (the three families are also home birthers). The Faith Homeschool group also has field trips. Derek Rickford, father of five and homeschooler for 10 years, takes families on ski trips to Kirkwood. Kim Galvez, mother of six and homeschooler for 10 years, is the field trip coordinator. In the warmer weather she leads hikes. Recently I met Kim at the Carson Valley Swim Center where about 30 children and their mothers were spending the morning. The field trip began with a tour of the facility given by a staff member and after the swim session there was a picnic lunch upstairs. Anyone concerned about the lack of socialization among homeschooling children needs only to attend one of these gatherings.

What do homeschoolers do when they reach high-school age? As Lenny-Sue's children have reached ninth grade she has enrolled them in the Moore Academy, an accredited private school. The assigned teacher communicates closely with the child by e-mail and phone. Lenny-Sue says that in her homeschooling endeavors she has appreciated the wisdom of teachers. Raymond Moore, founder of the academy, was a public school principal for 30 years. The Moore Academy works with each child's learning style. The school recommends a balance of school work, work, and service. Lenny-Sue's daughter, Abby, 20, worked with a local food cooperative; she also volunteered as a camp counselor for 4-H and worked at the pound with dog rescue. Lenny Sue's son, Eli, helps a neighbor with chores such as snow removal. The local community colleges invite everyone 151⁄2 years old and up to take classes. The colleges offer a dual program which includes English and Math and enables students to gain college as well as high school credit. Abby took advantage of this offer and her brother, Eli intends to follow suit. The Rickford and Galvez families are also considering the community college classes for their children when they reach this age.

What are the Alpine homeschoolers' interests? The families favor project based education. Collin Rickford, 14, has insulated the addition to their log home. He is learning auto shop, knows how to weld, builds computers and plays the guitar. His sister, Holly, 12, has a passion for horses and takes care of her own pony, Jack. Owen, 9, is a great reader and talker and Dane, 6 is the athlete of the family. Their mother, Anna Rickford, keeps a close eye on the children's academic skills and assigns the children daily chores so that their home is a calm, orderly environment. Eli Tinseth, 14, has spent four summers building props and writing the script for a short film which he is creating with other homeschoolers. He plays the guitar and piano. He is also a competitive skate skier. Elyssa Galvez,13, volunteers in the local library where she learns a wide variety of skills, She is a skier and has a great interest in ballet, frequently taking part in performances.

These homeschooled children have a relaxed demeanor, are comfortable around adults and are highly creative. This educational approach takes its place with public and private schools as a valid choice for families.