The Greenhouse offers resources for home schooling families

Our family has been blessed by The Greenhouse in countless ways, but I'll describe just a few.

When my now 15-year-old son, Cooper, was in first grade, my heart opened to the idea of home schooling. This is probably a miracle in and of itself as I was looking forward to all of my three children starting school. I had my days mapped out; I was going to work out, grocery shop, prepare dinner and regain some "alone time." Even the word "home schooling" was one I thought I would never utter.

While Cooper was in first and second grades, I began reading about home schooling. After each book I read, I gained a little more confidence that I could actually home-school. God began surrounding me with other home-schoolers who encouraged me. The Greenhouse was mentioned often - a "school" for home-schoolers.

When Cooper started third grade, it became apparent that he wasn't thriving in his current school. My husband and I prayed and felt God was saying, "Bring him home." In an act of obedience, we brought him home halfway through third grade. During this time we explored this whole Greenhouse place and enrolled him. We have never regretted our decision to home-school.

The Greenhouse is a community of home educating families, faculty and staff all committed to developing Christian character and servant leadership in the context of the classical education model. Core Program students attend structured classes one day a week, and are instructed in the humanities and science. The Core Program focuses on grammar (grades one to four), logic (grades five to eight) and rhetoric (grades nine to 12). The Greenhouse hosts a science fair, annual play, art show and living wax museum. Electives are offered for writing, Latin, etiquette, introductory logic, economics, health, literature circles, studio art, and archery.

The overarching theme in everything The Greenhouse does is servant leadership. By modeling, instruction and practice, the Greenhouse trains young servant leaders to see and serve the needs around them, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The classical education model follows a four-year cycle; beginning with the ancients, through to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and finally the modern era. We started in the ancient period. Honestly, I wasn't sure who was having more fun with home schooling, Cooper or me. We read some wonderful literature, conducted grammar and spelling lessons, went on field trips, played many games to learn math facts, and conducted science experiments. The Greenhouse helped us with art, literature, performing arts and science. Cooper also enrolled in electives such as Latin, creative writing, intro logic and art courses. In addition to academics, The Greenhouse helped us in the areas of trust, prayer and faith.

Our biggest draw to The Greenhouse was the headmaster, Tom Spacek. Tom is an amazing man who wears many hats, sometimes too many. He leads the school, he writes the plays, he teaches some of the courses and he could tell you something unique about each and every child who attends The Greenhouse. When you meet him, you just know he is doing what he was called to do. Above all, Tom is a Godly man who trusts and follows the leading of the Lord.

In 1999 and 2000, Tom and Jennifer Spacek and a handful of people prayed, planned and prepared about The Greenhouse; a calling and an idea at that time. The Greenhouse opened its doors on Sept. 12, 2001. The first year comprised 35 students in grades 1 to 6 from 20 families, served by a faculty of five. Each year the program has grown. Currently, The Greenhouse serves more than 200 students from more than 120 families, who attend more than 40 different churches.

We currently share space with other ministries and are outgrowing our capacity. We feel God is calling us to have our own home. We are in the middle of our 20/20 Vision Campaign; a capital campaign that is about more than a building. It's about enriching our academics, developing a full servant leadership "liturgy," deepening community, creating a stronger infrastructure and so much more. To participate in and support our 20/20 Vision Campaign please visit newfacility.the-greenhouse.com.

In the past five years, all of my children have attended The Greenhouse at some point. Cooper graduated eighth grade from The Greenhouse in 2014 and is thriving academically as a freshman at Wheaton Academy. I credit the work of The Greenhouse in preparing him for high school.

While I might have had my days mapped out, God had other plans. It's been a thrilling journey with many peaks and valleys. The Greenhouse will forever hold a special place in our home and hearts. It is an organization we will continue to support even though we do not have anyone currently enrolled. We believe strongly in the mission and advancing the Kingdom.