A local homeschool group, Classical Conversations, has found community in their choice of curriculum. Classical Conversations is a group who believes in sharing the love of learning through a Christian worldview and fellowship with other families. Their educational program is built on classical teaching styles, Christian values and community involvement with programs available locally for ages 4 through high school.
“I think school is extremely important, I think education is extremely important,” said Brittney Casebolt, director of Classical Conversations for east Owensboro. “I personally just want to spend time with my kids and watch them grow up. I thought I could do a better job of teaching them, knowing their strengths individually, so I can teach them to their ability.”
Locally the group offers Foundations curriculum which starts as early as age 4, Essentials which is for ages nine through 12 and Challenge which starts around 12 years old through the completion of high school. Many of the Seniors graduate with their high school diploma but also credits from the local community college simultaneously.
“Our community is bursting at the seams, we are very full,” Casebolt said. “I think people are unhappy with their choices with their schooling and they have become more confident through their friends who homeschool so it has become more empowering.”
Casebolt researched tirelessly for what she felt would be the best homeschool program for her kids.
“In my original intent to homeschool, I was thinking about college for my kids, even though my oldest was 4 at the time. I learned about Classical Conversations and I went home and researched it. The Challenge program 100 percent sold me on it,” Casebolt said. “They do a big Science Fair in Challenge A and in Challenge B they do a trial in front of a panel of judges. It’s a really great program. Later, in challenge 4 they are required to do a thesis and present that in front of a panel of judges.”
The program incorporates 7 subjects and is designed to be Christ-centered education. Casebolt said the integrated curriculum is designed so that all subjects not only point back to God but point back to each other.
“They do Latin and its such a beautiful language and its set up perfectly. So many languages are built upon Latin so it is so easy to learn other languages with an understanding of Latin,” Casebolt said. “While we are in community we have a different art and music focus every six weeks. We do have a science experiment every time we get together. There is so much they can do and so much my kids want to do with other homeschoolers.”
Another local homeschool family transitioned from the public school to homeschooling for that same Christ-centered curriculum.
“My oldest actually went through 3rd grade in the public school system,” said homeschool parent, Laura Eaton. “I always tell people we had a great experience at Country Heights where she was. We had a really good public school experience — I just felt God kept laying it on my heart and I wanted my family home more and together more and my children can learn together even at different levels. I guess my main reason is my number one goal as a parent is that my children come to know a saving relationship with Christ and by learning at home I can incorporate that into all of their learning and I can do that with a Christ-centered curriculum.”
Eaton stated one misconception is that she feels like people think homeschoolers are all anti-public schools and that is not the case. She and others in the group advocate for finding the right fit for your family. Through the curriculum, she has found community in her journey.
“It gives them a bit of togetherness,” Eaton said in regards to the participation in the local homeschool group. “They are just such a well-rounded group — it’s like a family. We do field trips and with our homeschool groups have gone to places like Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Reid’s Orchard, Civil War reenactments and the museums. Because we do maybe have a smaller group, these places get excited for us to come and interact.”
According to Eaton, one of the biggest benefits has been that, since each child learns differently, she can address each of their individual needs.
“I think when you’re one person trying to teach one or two people on more of a one on one basis you have the opportunity to slow down and teach each person separately,” Eaton said. “God just laid it on my heart and I never thought I would be equipped but now I look back and I would never see it any other way.”
Although the majority of the coursework is completed individually at home, Classical Conversations meets as a group 24 weeks out of the year with the curriculum leading the parents through a classical education at home, week by week. The group meets once a week where parents are building relationships with experienced homeschooling parents who oftentimes offer guidance and support as well as students who are building relationships with their peers of all ages.
“We love it,” Casebolt said. “It’s the best decision I have ever made for my kids for sure.”
For more information on Classical Conversations visit: https://www.classicalconversations.com/
