When I was a child, my parents put serious thought into where we would live based on the reputations of the public schools in the area. And I was fortunate to be caught up in a group of achievers with almost endless opportunities. The people I went to school with amaze me with the way they have impacted others positively since high school.

So, when I became a mom and it was time to move to the suburbs, my husband and I also weighed the value of the school district where our babies would grow up to attend school. We picked a house quite near the elementary school in a very well regarded district.

And our children have never stepped foot in that school as students.

It all started simply enough. Each of our children went to Mother’s Day Out first at the church we attended and then at a different church as we re-evaluated our church membership.

I loved that they were learning Bible songs and Bible stories and coming to know Jesus as much as sweet innocent toddlers, and then preschoolers could. I loved that they were getting a very strong foundation but knew that would end one day and we’d have to step it up at home as public school was right around the corner.

But then it became time to move to the public school for kindergarten and we didn’t go. We stayed right at that church school. My husband opposed the standardized test preparation that is so prevalent at public schools in our area. I loved the solid Biblical teaching and individual attention at the church school. And so we stayed. And stayed. And now we are beginning our tenth year at that school.

Our decision to send our kids to a private church school was not one either my husband or I intended ever to make. We were products of public school and enjoyed it and learned. But then we fell in love with an early childhood program and couldn’t bear to leave.

People that know me from my blog, MomsToolbox, often assume I homeschool. As much as I support that form of education for other families, it is not the path that is right for our family… at least not right now.

People who have known me since childhood probably assume I send my kids to public school, and that is not the path that is right for our family… at least not right now.

I love that I live in a country where we have so many options for educating our children and growing our families. And I love the support I gain from my children’s school family, even though we do not attend that church. (We are members of another church almost around the corner.)

Deciding how to educate our children was not a decision we took lightly, although our path there was nearly effortless. I am thankful to have been lead where we are and I don’t believe it was at all by chance.

I love to hear what each of our children is learning in school in the different subjects, and I love discussing their scripture memory each week. (And each December when the entire day school, grades 1- 8, recites all of Luke 2, I do cry in amazement. I’m getting weepy just typing here!) I love hearing how the school is using the chapel offerings each week to change others’ lives in the name of Jesus and I love the small community feeling of the school. My kids have enough space to spread their wings, but are also carefully guided.

For us, church school is the way to go, at least for right now. And our family loves it.

What about you? How do you do school?

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Amy is the Mom behind both Mom’s Toolbox and Mom’s Travel Tales. She is a world traveler — in heart, body, and prayer and enjoys sharing her experiences with others. She regularly hosts the Bible in 90 Days read-along. A mother of three young children, Amy writes to equip moms with tools for success whether at home, abroad or in between.