by Danielle Huerta
Aug 25, 2025
Why the best classrooms might not always have walls, bells, or desks—and how homeschool families turn “back to school” into a season of freedom, discipleship, and joy.
When I was a kid, I loved getting ready to go back to school. It was such an exciting time for me. I loved getting new school supplies and new school clothes. I adored finding out what teacher I would have for the year, and almost always this new teacher became “my favorite teacher that I ever had!” There was also the added thrill of finding out which of my friends would be in my class.
Flash forward to today—I am so glad that I heard the call to homeschool my children. As a parent now, I still look forward to “back to school” and get that spark of excitement, but it is for a set of entirely different reasons. Yes, I still love strolling down the school supply aisles, even if there is nothing we absolutely need to buy. I will almost always find a reason to toss a new box of crayons into the cart for 50-cents or grab a few wire-bound notebooks for a buck. Please tell me that I am not the only one that does this?! But the things that made this season special to me now have more to do with Jesus, family, and discipleship than a new box of crayons.
Freedom to Learn Beyond the Classroom
As homeschoolers, we can learn anywhere and everywhere! We are not limited to staying inside four walls to learn. This means field trips and lots of them! While conventional schools might only allow for one or two field trips a year, homeschool families can take countless educational adventures. A simple weekday trip to the zoo becomes an unhurried exploration where children are free to linger at exhibits, ask questions, and even chat with keepers—something that is nearly impossible with a large school group. Museums, aquariums, nature preserves, and historic sites often become regular stops for homeschoolers.
And the best part? Because homeschool families can go when most have returned to school, these outings are less stressful and far more enriching. No long lines, no rushing to keep up with a group—just the freedom to explore and learn at the pace that works best for your family. Everyday places like libraries, coffee shops, and even grocery stores can also become classrooms, offering real-world learning opportunities that spark curiosity in ways a textbook alone never could.
When asked, my children will tell you one of their favorite memories is “Friday Funday.” If we got “enough” done during the week, we would take the day off on Friday. I will always remember one trip to Disneyland that involved riding all the attractions that fit the criteria of a coaster so that I could drive home the difference of centrifugal and centripetal force. A public junior high teacher overheard our conversation and said in her 30-plus years of teaching, that was the best explanation of those concepts she had ever heard!
Creating Traditions That Matter
In many homes, the start of the school year can feel like a countdown to stricter routines, earlier mornings, and heavier workloads. As I learned and became more comfortable, my homeschool started to look a little different. I began doing more things that brought my family peace and joy. Some families mark the occasion with a special breakfast, like pancakes shaped into the numbers of the new school year. I have never done this because my regular-shaped pancakes never come out right, so that idea alone causes anxiety. Others might love this tradition. Our family falls more easily into the “first day field trip” tradition where we talk and plan the year ahead. These traditions can set the tone for the entire year. They communicate to children that learning is not a burden but a blessing.
Cultivating a Love for Learning
One of the biggest differences between homeschooling and conventional education is that in a classroom setting, students often feel the pressure to perform. Keeping up with peers and passing tests becomes more important than actual understanding. Homeschooling provides the space to slow down and foster a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
If a child is fascinated by astronomy, families can spend weeks studying the stars, building telescopes, and even planning late-night stargazing sessions. If another child loves baking, math and science lessons can flow naturally from measuring ingredients and experimenting with recipes. One year, my kids and I went off on a whole tangent about lighthouses. This lasted months for us, and it was such a blessing. We read books, visited lighthouses, and learned lighthouse history. Learning becomes about discovery and curiosity rather than memorization and evaluation.
Discipleship at the Core
Perhaps the most profound difference is discipleship. Homeschooling gives parents the opportunity to be their child’s primary influence—not only in academics but in faith and character. Instead of handing children over to a system for most of their waking hours, homeschooling parents have the chance to shape their worldview and ground them in truth.
Every subject becomes a chance to connect faith with learning. A history lesson can spark discussions about God’s hand in the rise and fall of nations. A science experiment can lead to awe at the Creator’s design. Even reading literature opens doors to conversations about virtue, integrity, and what it means to live a life set apart for Jesus. Homeschooling allows discipleship to occur naturally as you do life side by side.
Flexibility for Family Life
Another gift of homeschooling is flexibility. Instead of working life around a rigid school calendar, homeschoolers have the freedom to build a schedule that fits their family. Vacations can be planned during the off-season, making travel more affordable and destinations less crowded. Family visits, ministry opportunities, and even sick days do not derail learning—they simply become part of the rhythm of life. When our family goes through a difficult time, the children get a front row seat to see their parents seek the Lord and lean on His faithfulness.
Flexibility also means education can adapt to each child’s natural pace. If a student masters math concepts quickly, they can move ahead without waiting for an entire class to catch up. This allows for accelerated learning beyond what a teacher can facilitate with a classroom full of students. If another needs extra time in reading, they can progress steadily with encouragement and support, without fear of falling behind. A sunny afternoon might call for moving lessons outdoors, while a rainy morning can be perfect for curling up with good books.
So while others wave goodbye at the bus stop, homeschoolers step into something that feels sacred and eternal—where education becomes real Kingdom work.
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Danielle Huerta, married for 23 years and counting, is a homeschool mother to 4 children, and new Nana to one. Having already graduated her two oldest daughters, she only has two more kiddos to go! She also is one of four administrators on the board for Foundation Christian School, a homeschool co-op where she focuses on high school families and choreography for the school's theater group. She spends her time doing women's ministry, writing books, and working on her podcast, The Peaceful Word.
