The Van Fossen family's journey into homeschooling began with a passion for classical Christian education. They founded a school in the Santa Barbara area with other parents, offering a rich curriculum including Latin, Greek, ancient myth, and integrated faith-based learning. However, as the school grew, it became clear that the majority of the community desired a less classical approach, leading the Van Fossens to seek a new direction.
With their three young sons, they relocated to North Idaho, embracing a rural lifestyle of farming and raising goats and chickens. Recognizing the challenge small schools and homeschooling families face in accessing classical education expertise, they decided to leverage the internet to provide resources and support. This marked the beginning of their homeschooling journey, driven by their experience with the parish school and their desire to provide their children with a unique and enriching education.
This led to the development of the Classical Learning Resource Center (CLRC), born out of their own need for additional resources as they homeschooled their children, and a desire to serve other homeschooling families as well. "We didn't want families to have to choose," they emphasized, "between keeping their children at home and giving them the best education possible. We believe families can and should have both."
The CLRC provides live, interactive, online classes taught by qualified instructors, many of whom are homeschooling parents themselves. They emphasize vibrant discussion in their literature and history classes, foster wonder and curiosity about the natural world in their math and science classes and offer the joy of grammatical precision balanced with fluency of expression and understanding in their classical and modern language classes.
In their own homeschooling, John and Anne encouraged a love of literature and language in their sons. From reading The Iliad amidst their grazing goats to enjoying Shakespeare comedies, literature became an integral part of their lives. "Homeschooling really helped me get into literature," one of their sons remarked. "I had so much time to read a lot." They also continue to enjoy reading Latin together each evening, and the New Testament in Greek. Their rural setting also provided opportunities for hands-on learning, as the boys participated in raising animals and developing practical skills.
They also spoke about the anxiety many parents feel about homeschooling, both before and during the process. The CLRC aims to alleviate these concerns by providing support, guidance, and access to experienced teachers. They believe in finding a balance between structure and flexibility, allowing families to adapt their homeschooling approach to their individual needs and circumstances.
John and Anne believe that parents, being the closest to their children, can best capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses. They believe that parents should have the freedom to choose the educational path that best suits their children.
Ultimately, the Van Fossen family's story is one of passion, dedication, and a commitment to providing their children with the best possible education. They have created a valuable resource for other homeschooling families, while also building a strong and loving family life. Their journey underscores the importance of school choice, flexibility, and the power of personalized education to nurture each child's unique talents and potential.