About Secular Eclectic Academic Homeschooling

In the secular eclectic academic homeschooling community, we pull their children out of traditional school—or never send them in the first place. Like traditional schools, we value academics, don’t agree with the methods, the testing culture, or even the subjects being prioritized. For instance, I believe more emphasis should be placed on subjects like computer science. This doesn’t mean reducing the time spent on science or history, but finding ways to integrate math and writing into other subjects, making them more relevant and applicable. 

As political influences increasingly shape classroom content in certain states, more families are turning to secular, academic homeschooling as an alternative. These families, like many of us in the SEA community, believe education should be free from religious or political bias.

America has a strange relationship with education. We want to outperform nations like Singapore and Finland on standardized tests, but in many communities, there is little true appreciation for academics. There’s an overemphasis on “winning”—having the highest test scores—without valuing the inherent beauty of learning. This disconnect between education and the joy of learning stems from our obsession with competition rather than fostering intellectual engagement.

There is a focus on winning and having the top scores on tests, but there is a lack of focus on the sheer beauty of learning. I think the disconnect between school and the inherent beauty of learning comes about because of the misguided focus on “winning” (AKA having the highest test scores) versus getting a good education so you can be intellectually engaged.

While I understand the need for schools to demonstrate performance—especially when they rely on taxpayer funding—many eclectic academic homeschoolers believe the focus should shift from testing to cultivating intellectual curiosity. Engaging in thoughtful discussions about important issues, not to solve problems necessarily, but simply because they’re fascinating, is what sparks a love for learning. Interesting people have interests—it’s that simple.

Benefits of Secular, Eclectic, Academic Homeschooling

The benefits of a strong academic focus in homeschooling are remarkable. I am constantly amazed by the depth of learning, intellectual engagement, and love of learning within the SEA homeschooling community. When children are taught in ways that respect how they process information, they naturally develop a passion for learning. This approach not only benefits them academically but also fosters emotional growth, which is crucial at a time when mental health issues among young people are at an all-time high.

As our name suggests, secular eclectic academic homeschoolers are driven by a commitment to academics. Our goal is for our children to be well-educated, and we define what that means in our own homes. We seek to use evidence-based programs and materials that present facts and theories as recommended by experts in each field. This doesn’t mean we are anti-faith; we are simply pro-learning, aiming to minimize bias in education.

Why We Homeschool

The short answer is that we value learning. We see academics as essential and believe that education should be innovative and individualized. For us, the purpose of education is to create well-educated individuals who love learning and know how to continue learning throughout their lives. We’re figuring out how to achieve this organically, using eclectic and innovative approaches.

This is an updated version of an article I wrote in 2014, before SEA Homeschoolers existed. Back then, I felt lonely and was searching for a community of like-minded people. I put a call out on Facebook, hoping to find maybe 10 other secular, eclectic academic homeschoolers. The response was overwhelming. There are far more than 10 of us, and we need each other.

The Importance of Community

There are two key reasons we need community. First, homeschooling can be isolating. Without a support network, it’s easy to feel alone in this journey. Second, because we are eclectic and innovative, there’s no set guidebook for how to approach academic homeschooling. We’re often figuring things out as we go, and having a community like SEA’s Facebook groups is like having a teachers’ lounge—a space to strategize, share what works, and get help when things aren’t going as planned.

Being surrounded by others who share your passion for academic homeschooling provides a sounding board as you navigate this path. It’s also a place to celebrate achievements, knowing that others care just as deeply about education and will be genuinely proud of your child’s accomplishments.