In Magnolia, 'Home School on Steroids'

HOUSTON - Nestled within the piney woods of Magnolia, there has emerged a place of learning parents like to call a "home school on steroids".

Extraordinary Education is a gathering place for kids who've absorbed a good bit of education at their family's kitchen table, but are looking now to tackle academic subjects beyond their parent's comfort zone.

Founder Elise Eaton says this banding together of instructional know-how forms the core of her home-schooling co-op.

"Everybody benefits because we suddenly have a huge amount of skills and abilities and interests to all share with one another," Eaton explained.

In addition to the education generated, this elevated level of family-led learning provides an answer for what many perceive as home schooling's principle weakness - the potential absence of socialization and extracurricular activities.

In a high school level biology class taught by a medical doctor turned instructor, home schooled teenagers offered perspective.

"I'd say they are totally wrong. We don't miss out on anything," says Michael Eaton who reports he has plenty of friends.

"We have lots of opportunities to go and do things public school kids don't. We're not stuck at home reading books," says Nick Peoples who plays piano and has home schooled friends who run a website benefiting the homeless.

"It's hard to figure what to cut out because there's so much to do," says Jacqueline Turcinovic who is active in a theater group.

That's assessment is pretty much on target, particularly in a large city like Houston where the home schooling community has banded together to provide a variety of team sports.

Many home schooled students participate in art, music and theater - creative activities which are plentiful here outside traditional public and private schools.

"Home schooled children are rarely at home," Elise Eaton says with a smile.

Yet the perception of home schooled kids as being "parentally sheltered" persists.

But Eaton, who taught public school for ten frustrating years, contends the intimate day-to-day connection demanded of home educators can pay powerful dividends.

"Yes, children need to grow up and they do need to detach from Mom and Dad at some point, but not so much that you don't know them very well anymore. I think a lot of families get to that point as their students get older," she said.

In other words, families that learn together tend to stick together.

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