Chesterton of Massachusetts supporter Lynn Somers writes of her educational journey with her children - and how her experience visiting a Chesterton Academy revealed the "more" she was always looking for.
Twenty-six (plus!) years into this parenting thing and I finally figured something out: what I want for my high schoolers in their formation and education. The education of my six children has been a winding road that has led me down many side streets and dead ends. It looks nothing like what I thought it would when we purchased our house twenty-eight years ago in a “good school district.”
Throughout the years, we have been involved with a Montessori preschool, a parochial elementary school, a public high school, public school special education walk-in services, and a small Catholic start-up high school. The bulk of our school journey has been homeschooling. But even as a homeschooling mom, I couldn’t and wouldn’t do “school from a box.” I read a ton of books - Charlotte Mason, Maria Montessori, and Laura Berquist’s Designing your Own Classical Curriculum, just to name a few. I contemplated “unschooling” but I couldn’t figure it out. We belonged to faith based co-ops, book groups, and any other fun, exciting, educational group activities that we came across. When asked about my educational philosophy, I finally settled on “eclectic and relaxed. We read a lot and make sure math and religious formation is done.” But still, I was always searching. Something was missing. I wanted “more.”
My oldest four children went to the local public high school. We live in an area that doesn’t have a strong network of support for Catholic homeschooling for high school, and homeschooling changes as children enter high school. I believe teenagers need their peers as they maneuver those four years. Parents are still essential, but they must be quietly and unobtrusively in the background to gently guide and support. The right high school can be a huge help for parents as they navigate these rollercoaster years. Unfortunately, our local high school was not that helpmate for our family. By the time our fifth child was in eighth grade, we started praying for something “more” for him. We didn’t know what that “more” was; we just knew there had to be something else.
Our prayers were answered (or so we thought) when he asked to be homeschooled in conjunction with an “a la carte” Christian homeschool that provided classes and community. However, that program abruptly closed at the end of July, sending us scrambling to figure something else out. Enter a brand new, quirky Catholic middle school/high school. We were a bit hesitant, but every door was opened for us, so we trusted in answered prayers and stepped forward. Although nothing is perfect in this life, our son thrived his freshman year and we were thrilled. We had found that helpmate institution that would support us in forming not only his intellect but his faith as well. Unfortunately, that school became a dead end as it unexpectedly closed the week before school let out for summer vacation. To say we were devastated is not being melodramatic.
Many more prayers were offered as we spent the summer looking at schools for our son.Our investigations led us to a new Chesterton Academy a little more than an hour away from us. Although it was a trek - and although we were exhausted, discouraged, and disillusioned with everything else we’d seen - I convinced our son to check it out.
The school is fittingly called Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope - because when we left I was filled with such hope and joy! As my son took the entrance exam, the headmaster and I spoke at length about the history and philosophy of the Chesterton Schools Network and the providence of how this new school came into being. I also had the opportunity to help the group of women who were working on the upcoming fundraising gala. The amount of community support for this school was encapsulated by this group of women, as I don’t think any of them actually had children who would be attending the school! Three hours later we were on our way home. I was beaming. I was full of hope, joy, gratitude, and longing for this opportunity for my son.
As he and I talked on the way home, I was having a hard time putting into words my thoughts and feelings. I was inadequately conveying the fact that I had finally found the “more” that I had always been searching for my children. The “more” that educates the whole child. The “more” that knows that there is a truth and that there is beauty and joy in that truth. The “more” that teaches a person to think deeply about the big questions of life and teaches how to answer those questions eloquently and rationally. The “more” that sees the good and knows where that good comes from. The “more” that knows we have a responsibility to share that good with the world. The “more” that realizes that to be truly Catholic is to be full of joy and hope.
As I began to explore the Chesterton Schools Network, I found that they had eloquently and succinctly articulated everything I had been trying to figure out on this educational journey with my family. I was also reminded that I am not alone in this quest. I titled this post “One Mom’s Perspective,” but in reality there are lots of other moms and dads who have the same longing for a joyful and faithful learning environment that focuses on truth, goodness, and beauty. I was also fortified to know there was a school out there that would walk with parents, in community, to help foster this truth, goodness, and beauty in their children. I had found “more “ and it filled me with such joy and hope.
If you too are searching for "more," join us as we navigate bringing a Chesterton Academy to Massachusetts.
From the Chesterton Schools Network (or what I call “the more”):
Choosing Chesterton
Ten Reasons Why Families are Selecting Chesterton Academy
“I want my child to be a saint.” A school inspired by a supernatural vision.
“I want my child to discover his or her vocation.” An educational model that forms the whole person.
“I don’t want my child to fall away from the faith.” An authentic, Catholic community that fosters a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“I want my child to find friends who share our values.” A community where students and families form friendships for life.
“I want my child to learn that truth exists.” A curriculum with a point of view, where faith and reason meet in every class.
“I want my child to be surrounded by good role models.” Faith-filled faculty who are witnesses to the Gospel.
“I want my child to be a lifelong learner.” An environment that fosters a life-long love of learning and pursuit of wisdom.
“I want my child to be prepared for his future.” A broad-based curriculum that develops well-rounded students prepared to lead and succeed.
“I want my child to think critically.” An interdisciplinary education that encourages logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
“I want my child to be able to articulate his ideas.” An environment that encourages conversation in the classroom
Bonus! “I wish they had this when I was a kid.” Education and formation for the whole family!
Cover image:
Henry Ossawa Tanner, Christ and His Mother Studying the Scriptures, Oil on Canvas, 1909, Dallas Museum of Art, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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