It may be a good idea to create a mission statement for your home school each year. This can help to keep you on track, visualize goals and generally get your brain set in a specific direction for your children and your family.

On this page you will find a example mission statement as well as some prompting questions. Use these questions to help you clarify your goals for your home school. You may not need them all, or you may need more. Again, use this as a tool and a springboard. We recommend that you spend time praying about these questions and that you work on this project with your spouse.

MISSION STATEMENT EXAMPLE

This is a condensed Mission Statement for 1999-2000 for one of our member families.

This document is to clarify our reasons for choosing Home Education as our method of training, our philosophy of education and the program of study that we have chosen for this year. We will pursue the following goals to develop skills and character traits in our children.

1. Develop an appreciation and desire for the Word of God
2. Develop an appreciation for poetry and quality classic literature
3. Grammar will be approached in a natural manner
4. Memorization skills with scripture, poetry, songs and psalms
5. Ability to comprehend instruction, listen attentively and obey immediately
6. Study skills enhanced through dictionary, encyclopedia and living book usage
7. Develop an appreciation for the richness of the written word pursue writing more diligently and compile poems, stories, and songs in journal
8. Develop skills relevant for 3rd (DD2) and 6th (DD1) grade
9. Expand knowledge building upon precepts founded in previous grades
10. Social studies (Old Testament History, field trips, Canadian History, RCMP)
11. Learn food groups, reproductive cycles of various animals, human anatomy
12. Musical appreciation encouraged through listening to classical music, honing skills in violin and piano, theory

Our philosophy of education is to teach our children in the manner that most suits their individual needs. We will prepare our children academically, spiritually, morally and physically to their full potential.

Our goal is to introduce the concepts outlined in our curriculum and to walk through their academic training with full understanding.

Academically, we wish to prepare our children to have a mind that is reasoning, clear thinking, and objective while focusing on the truths of the Lord.

Socially, our goal is to model compassionate godliness to build these same qualities in our children by our example. We desire for our children to walk in the Fruits of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance and faith.

Morally, we desire to instill a sense of unconditional love, acceptance and security to build a healthy perspective towards others and ultimately GOD.

Physically, we will endeavor to teach nutrition, health and a good combination of exercise and fitness as a way of life. We will teach them the importance of cleanliness and order through chores and family projects.

Spiritually, we want to lead them to trust in a true and living Savior and to appreciate the wonders of God's creation. Ultimately, our children are God's greatest gift to us and He has entrusted them to us to hone them from an early age. We will raise children that are wholeheartedly committed to serving Jesus Christ and seeing the world through His eyes.

Father God, you will be our strength in this mandate as we follow your statutes to train our children to godliness. We depend on you to guide and train us as we continue to raise our children in Your ways.

MISSION STATEMENT PROMPTING QUESTIONS

A mission statement is essentially clarifying your goals and aspirations for your year, not necessarily your "philosophy" of education. It's to help you solidify your reasons for homeschooling and also to clarify your program of education. Then you can refer back to it during your evaluation times (or even planning times) of the year for guidance and encouragement. We have provided some prompting questions for you to use as a starting point. Feel free to add more or less as you see fit. We recommend you prayerfully go through these with your spouse to determine your family's personal mission statement.

---Why do you choose to homeschool? Are your reasons negative? positive? indifferent?

---What are the 'big rocks' (goals, mission) in your home school?

---When will these goals initially be scheduled/planned for?

---How will these goals be accomplished?

---What role will you, your husband, and/or other family members play in the education of your child(ren)?

---What are the main hurdles, distractions, frustrations?

It's constructive to admit and face any possible hurdles you might encounter in your days, i.e., distractions such as housework, younger siblings, telephone, business, etc. Also include general obstacles like non-supportive family or friends, discipline problems, finances, or cramped quarters. List a few options for dealing with these distractions.

---How can I 'sharpen the saw' to help surmount these hurdles?

---When will I evaluate my roles, goals and mission for my home school?

Set certain times aside during your year to check your progress and/or pitfalls, and possibly restructure your goals accordingly.

---To whom will I be accountable?

Have at least one other homeschooling person or family to help keep you on track.

---What are some specific academic, spiritual, social, and physical goals for each of your kids?

Try to think of some tangible, measurable ways to express your goals, such as "Betty will learn her times tables by Dec. 1", "Joey will memorize a Bible verse that speaks about controlling anger, and will learn options in dealing with his anger this year", etc.

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