Six-and-a-half-year-old Jack Cavanaugh says it’s “cool” having his mom as his teacher.
Joe and MaryAnn Cavanaugh of Honesdale had their hearts set on sending their son to St. Vincent’s School. But when the school closed its doors last spring, the family came up with a new plan: Catholic home schooling.
It was important their son’s education include lessons about God, she said. Public school wasn’t the right fit for their family. “They don’t teach about God. Instead, they teach a lot of things that go against the Bible,” she said. “It just didn’t fit with the way we’re bringing our kids up. And I have nothing bad to say; I’m not condemning or knocking the public school that’s right for some people.”
The Cavanaughs did their homework and selected Seton Home Study, nationally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The program, which costs about $500 per year (for the first student), with books included, offers a discounted rate for multiple students. MaryAnn is interested in enrolling their daughter, Cali, in kindergarten next year.
Catholic home schooling
When they first started thinking about home schooling, MaryAnn says they had some initial reservations about socialization. Would Jack miss his friends, other students? “How do you socialize a kid when you’re ...home, not getting outside into the real world?” she wondered. But Jack’s heavily involved in extra curricular activities. Joe says their son is well-rounded, involved in 4-H, swimming, karate, and Cub Scouts. So, the Cavanaughs moved ahead with their home schooling plans.
Converting a corner of their home into a classroom, they hung a white board on the wall for outlining lessons, placed a child-size desk in the room and MaryAnn tucked into teaching.
Just like any other school, Jack must attend 180-days of instruction. School takes place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. till noon. Since it’s one-on-one teaching, it takes less time. Studies include: English, Phonics, Spelling, Math, Religion, Science and American History — all with a Catholic perspective.
“There is a real report card; there’s real exams,” Joe says.
MaryAnn says it’s a well-mapped out program, offering day-to-day lesson plans. MaryAnn marks quizzes along the way, but subject exams, taken every nine weeks, get mailed to the school. “They grade it. They keep a full transcript on everything, from kindergarten through high school. And then, when he applies to college, he would have a diploma,” she said.
