A Homeschool Journey, Part 14: Graduation

In my last post of this series, A Homeschool Journey, Part 13: Extracurriculars, I described some of the extracurricular activities in which our children participated. Homeschooling gave us the time and the freedom to explore so many things that we otherwise would not have experienced. At times, it was a challenge getting all the kids to their respective activities. We became experts in logistics and time management and used to laugh when people with one or two children would complain about their busy schedules! But somehow we managed. When people would ask us how we did it, I would simply answer, "Only by the grace of God!"

Eventually, the inevitable happened: the kids grew up. They studied diligently for college entrance exams and began taking the PSAT every year, beginning in 9th grade. I made arrangements at a local Christian school for them to take the test when October rolled around. The cost of the test was minimal, and it gave each child experience in taking the test in a classroom setting. By the time they took the SAT, they were comfortable with the environment and prepared for the challenge. Each of them did well and took the test multiple times, if necessary, to achieve the highest score they could.

Meanwhile, our role as parents became that of guidance counselor and school principal. As such, it was our responsibility to prepare transcripts for college applications. We had to find out the requirements for homeschooled students to apply for college and fill out the necessary paperwork for scholarships.  We had to get the documentation needed from the school district to prove that our children were legally registered as homeschooled students.Two of our children needed a full list of course descriptions, with materials used, for their applications. One of our children encountered an uninformed university admissions director who insisted that every student must have a state-issued high school diploma in order to gain admittance. Apparently, that particular school had never had a homeschooled applicant. After my husband educated them about the state law and statistics about the success of homeschooled students, the university changed their outdated policy. Our daughter was accepted to their honors program and was even invited to dinner and a lecture by Desmond Tutu. In the end, she chose another school to attend, but hopefully our advocacy has opened the doors for other homeschool graduates to study at that institution.

Every one of our children was accepted to the school of his or her choice. And they all received scholarships to help with expenses. As each child graduated from our home school, we sent out graduation announcements and celebrated with a party and a beautiful diploma. Each diploma was graced with the following verse, the reason we started the journey in the first place:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 

Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)

And so we come to the end of the journey. Twenty-three years it took, from beginning to end. We had ups and downs, laughter and tears, challenges and triumphs. But in the end, it was all worth it. And as each child steps out into the world to make his or her own way, I pray that this will always come to mind:

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 I Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)