Category: News

Choosing

Pauline
Mother and Children”, Dutch interior family scene, oil on canvas, circa 1930

By Duffy Gibb Lately, choice has loomed large in our world. Whether its choosing what to make for dinner, what coursework gets done today or what candidate to vote for, choice is as human as breathing. Every day we are faced with choices beyond our imagining, choices that a few decades ago were unattainable , a few centuries unimaginable. We choose where we live, whom we marry, how we want to raise our families- all choices that just a few hundred years back or a few thousand miles away weren’t/aren’t Read More …

The Elimination of the Afternoon Decompression

Pauline
a Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte

(written by Anonymous guest poster) I started on this homeschool journey a mere 8 months ago. As a mother of 2 (an 8-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl) I was aware of the obvious benefits of homeschooling – more time spent as a family, slower start for the kids and customized curriculum to fit each child’s learning style to name a few. However, there was a benefit we experienced as parents that, strangely enough, I never read about on message boards or discussed with other homeschool moms. This benefit is one Read More …

One of Our Excelsior Students Honored on KBACH!

Pauline

One of our students was chosen as the KBACH “Classical Next” student honoree musician and they gave her a live feature spot on air. She also gives a shout out to Excelsior (woot woot!) Way to go Kate! Watch her play so beautifully on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgRRqMYeJt0 or hear her interview on https://kbaq.org/classicalnext (scroll down to May 2023). Kate is the House Leader for Pegasus and Student of the Month. She blesses us every year by playing her violin for morning assembly or at one of our performances.

Excelsior Scores Among the Highest in the Country for the National Latin Exam!

Pauline
National Latin Exam Phoenix AZ

We did tremendously well and our students have much to be proud of. We had Summa Cum Laude students–one student with a perfect score, one that missed only one question, and several that received Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude rankings. All of our students scored on average with the rest of the country if not far better! Interestingly, homeschoolers in general score better than those in public or private schools on the NLE. We give much credit to the accountability we receive at Excelsior, our wonderful teachers and moms, Read More …

Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) Weighs In

Pauline

We submitted a request with questions after my last post to you all. They called my husband very promptly, excellent customer service. The big question on my mind was can ESA contract families continue to get HSLDA protection. I’m not willing to give that up. The answer is that you can continue to be HSLDA members with ESA contract status. The only thing is they won’t get involved with arguments over what is a qualified purchase. They said, “That’s between you and the state.” So if you buy curriculum and they say, “No, Read More …

Prayers Needed – Opposition to the ESA Law is Underway

Pauline
homeschool ESA expansion referendum

A couple things I want you to pray for: 1) That current homeschooler groups would broaden their definition of homeschooling to include ESA contract homeschoolers. I have heard from several homeschoolers that have been denied community because they have ESA status. Those families likely have special needs children (because up to this time it was military, foster, or special needs). That is so sad to hear. They are homeschoolers just like any of us, the only difference is that they are taking back their tax dollars and using them for Read More …

ESA Passed! Updates and Questions Answered

Pauline

Since my last post, Governor Ducey has signed the ESA expansion bill (yesterday). It is groundbreaking — the whole country is talking about it. Highlights: Everyone now can apply and participate in ESA But you don’t have to. You do not have to participate if you don’t want to. It doesn’t affect current homeschoolers at all. If you choose to participate you do give up your “legal status” as a homeschooler (you are not supposed to file the affidavit and if you already have you are supposed to revoke it. ESA is a contract with Read More …

ESA Info and Webinar

Pauline

Hi homeschooling friends,Ever since this new ESA bill passed the house and the senate I’ve been doing a lot of research on what it means and what the legal implications are. In summary there are basically six categories of education in Arizona (public, private, charter, online charter, homeschool, ESA contract students).  So homeschooling is one category and ESA contract students is a completely separate category. All categories have their own laws/requirements. What I don’t get, is why for whatever reason, the Arizona law is written to make ESA it’s own separate category.  I don’t understand why it can’t be one in the same.  Homeschoolers who accept ESA and homeschoolers who do not.   Read More …

Open House and Tour

Pauline

Fill out the interest form online and check the box that you are interested in the Open House Our open house will be on Monday, March 14th from 11am-12pm. Lunch is from 12-1pm. You are welcome to stay and eat lunch, bring a sack lunch and water. Children are welcome to come. Everyone will receive a free book! We look forward to meeting you.