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When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of schools in March, many parents began considering alternative options for education. With the beginning of the new school year approaching and the uncertainty of the situation persisting, many families are opting to educate their children at home.
While most schools offer a virtual option during the pandemic, some families are turning to homeschool associations in search of established, organized systems for at-home learning.
Shalyn Priestley of McKenzie transitioned her children to homeschool four years ago using the Martin campus of Classical Conversations, a global organization with a bible-based curriculum. Two years ago, she became a tutor for the program, and, this year, she is the director of the seventh-eighth grade program.
Martin Classical Conversations serves Pre-K through eighth grade. Preistley is joined by Ellie Holt, director of grades six and below, who is assisted by five tutors.
Priestley told The Banner the Martin campus serves just over 40 children, and five new families have enrolled in the last week. She says she’s spent countless hours on the phone with interested parents in the last few weeks. “People are realizing they do have an option.”