Why Public School -- Part 1

We have already looked at why one family chooses to homeschool and why another chooses to utilize private school for their children's education.  But you may have noticed in our poll that "public schooling" is the most common education choice for this blog's readers.  So, I'm excited to present Jeremy & Kelly Keever, who have all four of their children (2 biological, 2 foster) in the public school system.  We have been friends with this family for years, and I have learned a lot from them, especially since I've had the pleasure of working alongside Jeremy for 4 years while on staff at Grace Church.  I appreciate them taking the time to answer these questions; there is no one I know who could have better represented the missional perspective for public school.


1.  Tell us about your family.  Tell us about your family, including the ages/grades of your children. Biological children: Calahan, 8.5 (3rd grade); Harper, 6.5 (1st grade). Foster children: Mikalah, 5.5 (K5); Michael, 4.5 (K4).

2.  Why have you chosen the schooling option you did?   Years ago, when we first made the decision, we worked through all the options. To the best of my memory at that time it was:

1. We couldn't afford private.
2. We did not think homeschooling would be beneficial for our family on many levels. First, it did not match with Kelly's gifts and skills. Additionally, we knew right away that both of our kids, especially Calahan, needed to be around students because of his personality. 
3. We had great public school experiences growing up. 
4. We were excited to build relationships with non-believers in the public school. 
5. We really wanted our kids to be around children who were not just like them. We value cultural and economic diversity for many reasons, and quite honestly this is not found in our neighborhood, church or community. 
6. The Lord has given our biological children some relational and verbal abilities that we think can most adequately be developed in a public school environment.

3.  What do you like most about the option you chose?  There are so many reasons.  We love our kids school! Our kids love it. They have made some neat relationships with other students and teachers. We have been able to love on teachers and staff as a family. 

4.  What do you wish was different?  What do you feel like your children may miss out on?  We wish that they were able to sit under solid bible teaching along with the other curriculum during the day. 


Be sure to read the rest of the interview.  


Related Links:

• Response to "A Case for Homeschooling"
• The Blessings of Public School