In Spite of Top-Ranked Schools, Some Carroll County Parents Choose to Educate at Home

There are more than 27,000 kids attending Carroll County public schools, one of the top performing school systems in Maryland. So, why are 1,261 students in Carroll County being home-schooled?

The number of families choosing the home schooling option in the county has more than doubled in the past decade, according to Mary Cashdollar, supervisor of Student Services and Special Programs for Carroll County Public Schools. In 2001 there were 878 home-schooled kids and by 2011 the number increased to 1,261.

“The number of home-schooled kids has certainly grown over the last 10 years. Numbers have been steady about the last five years,” Cashdollar said.

Cashdollar said that many families choose to home-school based on religious beliefs and practices.

“Some enjoy the teaching aspects and do an excellent job. Some have been in the public school system and have been dissatisfied for whatever reason,” Cashdollar said.

According to a 2001 U.S. Census survey, 33 percent of home schooling households cited religion as a factor in their choice to home-school. The same study found that 30 percent felt school had a poor learning environment, 14 percent objected to what a traditional school teaches, 11 percent felt their children were not being challenged at school, and 9 percent cited morality.

Carroll County, which has the ninth largest school system in the state, has embraced home-school families. The Department of Parks and Recreation, public library and local businesses and organizations offer classes and activities specifically geared towards home-schooled kids.

In the Parks and Recreation Program Guide, there are 11 classes offered specifically to home-schooled kids, including music, sports and arts programs.

For parents who want a combination of traditional homeschooling and the structure of planned activities there are schools like the Christiana Homeschool Academy in Westminster.

The school, led by administrator and co-founder Catherine Milstead, provides classroom experience and curriculum for home-schooled kids. It just opened a new building for high school-age students on its campus at Crosswinds Church. 

Milstead said that the Christiana Academy offers both classroom instruction and social opportunities for kids who get a home-based education.

Milstead got started with homeschooling by keeping her own children at home for their education. She said she convinced her husband of the idea after conducting a year's worth of research.

“I did not have a good experience in public school," she said. "I do not have fond memories of my schooling, education wise or socially or anything.” 

The idea for the school came when she had her fifth child and felt that she was unable to give her fourth grader ample attention to help her move forward.  She found a school that provided tutoring services two days a week.

“I liked a lot of what they were doing but had some ideas about what I wanted to do differently," Milstead said. "I got some friends together and we decided to just start another program.  We worked out of my house initially.”

The Christiana Academy has 140 students. According to Milstead, almost all of the tutors are parents who have some background or training in the subject matter or teaching.

The tuition is $1,225 per year for elementary students and $1,525 for high school. Classes contain 12 students or less.

Because of the hands-on nature of the program, Milstead said there is a sense of closeness for everyone involved.

"It is a big family, we all know each other," she said.