Encouragement from a father of five home-educated children—three of whom are either finished with or currently attending Northland International University (two of whom are still in high school).

I must sincerely admit that for a home-educating family, there is often great fear and trembling when it comes to considering the university setting for our children. So many questions bombard us . . . Did we do a good enough job in their education? Will they be able to make it academically? How will they fare, mixing it up with others? And the list of questions could go on and on. I know my wife, Julie, and I had many of these questions. With three of our children either finished with or currently working on their education at Northland International University, we have been very pleasantly calmed and encouraged by the process.

Our Family

I have been an evangelist for many years, and my wife and I raised our family on the road. We lived in a different church parking lot every week for a decade and a half, forcing us into the unfamiliar territory of home education. At first, it was out of necessity; but before long, it would be out of conviction. I must admit it was a blast. It was like a field trip on steroids. My five kids got to do things that most kids will just dream about. My wife did the majority of the hands-on training and is nothing short of phenomenal at the art of educating, being from the home of a man with a masters in mathematics and a love for teaching. She invested her life and sweat to give our children the very best education that was humanly possible. While home education is always a team effort, my wife has carried the lion’s share of this ministry. For her life investment and great skill, I devote a word of “honor” toward her and express my thankfulness.

Our Successes and Failures

When stopping and truly evaluating what has been accomplished in home education, each family has to honestly conclude that along with the great successes come some glaring failures. Under the category of success, I would personally list my kids’ understanding of history. They have a far better grasp of history than I ever had. I would also put the classes in Latin, Logic, and Rhetoric in the category of overwhelming success. My children have developed a strong ability to think critically and articulate their thinking in an organized fashion. 

There are also those areas that seem like failures. In the early years, momentum was lost searching for our niche and changing curricula several times. Another area of difficulty was in our inability to help our kids with some of the units in their work, feeling inadequate at times to find answers and explanations that would aid their understanding. Those feelings of failure can be glaring—especially in the areas of math, English, and science. In the long run, parents begin to wonder if their children will be able to succeed in a university setting.

Our Surprise

As our family started the process of enrolling our first child in college, all of these fears were magnified, but—the truth is—the fears were in vain. I cannot begin to tell you how incredibly helpful Northland was in the whole process. One of our biggest fears was the whole transcript situation. Northland was so accommodating and helpful, making something that we thought was going to be difficult become easy. Secondly, Northland’s guidance regarding financial aid and scholarships was amazing. Thirdly, one of our greatest fears was the whole dorm and student life setting. I am now convinced as a father that this has been one of the most helpful dimensions of the university setting for my children. This aspect has been like a greenhouse for them. Finally, as far as the classroom, our children have done very well; and, as is common, each has excelled where they are truly gifted. 

I look forward to seeing how God will bring many more home-educated kids to Northland for another step in their growth in “wisdom and favor with God and man.”