The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

We’ve been planning our daughter’s graduation ceremony.  She’s our first to graduate from our homeschool and we’re so very proud of her.  Many people will be there the night of the graduation celebration – family, church family, business friends and neighbors, yet not many of those who will be in attendance are homeschoolers.  I have a sneaking suspicion that some of our guests are  looking forward to satisfying their curiosity about what a homeschool graduation could possibly look like. 

Are there robes?  Mortar boards?  Diplomas?

In our case…no, no, and yes!  And -  just like our in our actual day to day homeschool -  there will be lots of good food, good fellowship and love!

It’s not that we strive to be non-traditional.  Tradition is good (…and I leave that statement to revisit on another day, as another blog topic in and of itself…), but our goal is consistency and truth.  This graduation ceremony should reflect the patterns and beliefs that our homeschool experience has embodied over these last 11 years.  In the food, fellowship and fun….it will! 

Yet how can it possibly reflect the deep convictions we hold as a family about education and life?  To us, home schooling is not about being at home…where the kid sits geographically.  Home schooling is a state of mind where we as parents say, "We will mentor our child to be a leader, to become great. We will show them the way, and we will help them choose the way." 

 It’s about math and grammar lessons…yes..but more, it’s about modeling and listening to God’s guidance through His example.  God leaves us the freedom to choose, but then he gives us Christ, and says, "Okay, I am going to let you choose what you want, but you see that guy? Follow him and you'll get it right." 

It’s about learning from great mentors through the written word.  Mentors like Paul, who pressed “…toward the mark for the prize of the high calling…” .

And it’s about socialization, the type that allows a child to not only to be with friends of their own age, but also to take time from a regular school day to deliver a hot meal to a sick friend, or to run to Dad’s office to  help with meeting an early deadline. 

It’s about learning to navigate life with grace and truth.

Graduation is only a concept.  In real life every day you graduate.  Graduation is a process that goes on  until the last day of your life.  If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference.       ~Arie Pencovici

Solo Deo Gloria,

Laurie (LakeLady)