I’m a firm believer in the uniqueness of each family and that we are all not called to the exact same thing. (What a boring world that would be if we were! ) This post is not a knock at public schooling, Christian schooling or traditional homeschooling. It’s simply my sharing of our family’s choice of the university-model school. I am by no means an expert as we have just begun, but I hope this piques your interest for this schooling model! Make sure you scroll to the end of this post for your FREE gift!!
When I mention that our daughter is attending a university-model school, I always get asked:
What exactly is a university-model school?!
Don’t worry: A few years back I had never heard of one either!
But when a new school started in our town in 2010, the idea intrigued me.
At the time, I was freelancing for my local newspaper, and I decided to interview the school director and dig a little deeper into this then-foreign-to-me hybrid-homeschool model of education.
It took that one interview and writing that one story to convince me: If we could somehow scrounge up enough money, I wanted our children to attend this school one day.
Fast forward four years: Our firstborn started kindergarten at this same university model school on Monday.
(Another post for a different day is how the Lord provided exactly what we needed to pay for tuition and purchase uniforms.)
Today is our first homeschool day.
And I couldn’t be happier with our choice.
What is a university model school?
In a nutshell, a university-model school:
“takes the best attributes of homeschooling and combines them with the best attributes of traditional, Christian education.” ~National Association of University-Model Schools
Most university-model schools hold on campus classes two or three days per week, while the remainder of the week is spent in the “satellite” classroom–the home.
Parents do the in-home lessons with their children, but certified teachers have prepared those lessons. Parents and teachers partner in each child’s education. The time at home gives parents “more time for imparting the values they hold precious.” (source)
By the junior and senior year of high school, students attending a university-model school should follow a schedule very similar to college students. This aids in college prep.
Philosophies of Education
Although the National Association of University Model Schools (NAUMS) exists to help start-up university-model schools and support existing ones, each school is its own entity and can choose it’s own educational philosophy.
For example, the school my daughter attends adheres loosely to a Classical Christian educational philosophy, while a university-model school a few towns over from us follows the Basic School philosophy.
Although I really like the idea of the Classical Christian philosophy, my husband, who is actually a public school teacher, prefers the Basic School philosophy (it’s the model his school follows). But this was not a deciding factor in our choice.
Why our family chose this model of homeschooling:
When we became parents in 2008, my husband and I both leaned toward homeschooling our children–even though, at the time, we were both public school teachers.
But we also knew that we could not make such a definitive decision when our child was still a newborn. We had no idea the child’s temperament, where we would be living when she started school, or how God would lead five (and really, six!) years down the road.
So we said we would take things year-by-year and even child-by-child when it came to their education. I am a firm believer in what works for one does not work for all.
There are several reasons we chose the part-time homeschooling university-model:
1. It’s faith based.
This was probably our #1 reason for choosing this model. I attended Christian schools from kindergarten through college, and, overall, I had a wonderful experience.
We desire that our children have teachers who follow Christ–and teach our children about Him–just as we do.
2. It provides a parent-teacher partnership.
I am excited to teach my daughter, but I do not believe I am the only person she can learn from. She can (and should) learn from a variety of adults. For full-time homeschoolers, this can be accomplished in a number of ways (Sunday school teachers pops into my head). But for our family, this parent-teacher partnership for the academics of our children is ideal.
In our university-model school, certified teachers prepare all lessons–even for the home, or “satellite” days. Some homeschool moms might feel this confining, but, for me personally, this is freeing.
Few people know that I actually am a certified teacher. I taught school for five years. I don’t tout that often because I don’t feel like I am a natural at teaching. It was a job for me. But it wasn’t my “brilliance” zone.
The thing is–I actually enjoyed the teaching, especially in small groups. But I hated the planning.
Being able to part-time homeschool my daughter using teacher-prepared lesson plans is a HUGE win in my book!
3. It fosters family time.
Unlike traditional schools, where children spend up to 8 (or more!) hours away from home each day, our daughter is in class three days per week from 9:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. This gives her four full days at home with us, plus the early mornings and late afternoons and evenings every single day!
The girls and I are able to eat a leisurely breakfast together since school doesn’t start until mid-morning, and we have plenty of time together in the afternoons before I have to start working on dinner.
The children at our school do not have homework until older elementary, so once she is finished with school, she is free to play with her sisters to her heart’s content!
4. It allows for flexibility.
Although parents are to follow teacher lesson plans, they are free to tailor their instruction to meet their child’s unique needs, and the teachers can give tips on how to do this. Also, parents can supplement with any enrichment activities or subjects they wish.
For example, since my husband is a Spanish teacher, he has plans to expand more on the once-per-week Spanish lessons our daughter will be getting at school.
Since he is a Star Wars junkie, he is also excited about using this Star Wars Kindergarten Writing & ABCs workbook with her!
5. It meets our daughter’s needs for socialization.
This is not to belittle full-time, “unsocialized” homeschoolers at ALL. I really hate when people say that! Most full-time homeschooling moms I know give their children plenty of opportunities for socialization!
But choosing a university-model school is an easy way for our family to do that. Our little girl is–like both her parents!–an extrovert, and so far she has come home from school energized from the interaction with her teacher and new friends.
Because this is a brand new season for us, we are actually going to limit her extracurricular activities this fall (and perhaps not participate in any at all), so it’s important to us that she be around her peers somewhere, especially because it is so life-giving to her personality.
6. It’s affordable (to an extent).
Each university-model school is priced differently, but, as a rule, they are much more affordable than traditional Christian schools–simply because the teachers only work part-time. When I compare our daughter’s school to other area Christian schools, the tuition is a fraction of the cost.
We were living on a low income when we first felt led for our daughter to attend this school, and it’s actually one reason why I began to monetize this blog.
I literally cried all the way to the school on Monday, in awe of how God provided for her tuition and for her school uniforms–when less than two years ago we were barely making it month-to-month. It truly is miraculous.
There isn’t a university-model school near me. Now what?!
This is the exact same question the director of my daughter’s school asked herself when she discovered university-model schools. There were no schools in our area.
So she started one.
In fact, university-model schools are actually begun by parents who see a need and desire to provide this type of education for their children and other children in their communities.
Find a directory of university-model schools and how to start your own school here.
FREE First Day of School Printables!
My hubs is a teacher by day, but he moonlights as a graphic designer. He put together these CUTE printables just for you! You can choose from black or green chalkboards and your child’s grade level–pre-k through college!–and you can also choose one for “homeschool” if you’re like me and have two first days of school–a home and school day.
To download and print, simply click on the links. My back-to-school gift to you!
Blackboard:
Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade
2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade
5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade
8th grade, 9th grade, 10th grade
11th grade, 12th grade, college
Green Chalkboard:
Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade
2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade
5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade
8th grade, 9th grade, 10th grade
11th grade, 12th grade, college
Hilary Bernstein
This sounds like such a great option, Erin! It definitely seems like it would be the best of both worlds!
Erin
We are so thankful for it, Hilary! It’s a great fit for our family!
Kara
This is such an intresting combination! My husband and I do not have children yet but we’ve discussed what we would like to do once we have them as far as their education. He leans more toward public school where as I prefer homeschool. Sadly though, in Alabama where we are there’s nothing like this 🙁
Erin
Hi Kara! We were pretty much the same way around the time our daughter turned 2. When she was born we both leaned toward homeschooling, but her temperament was very obvious by two, and my hubby said he didn’t think homeschool would be best for her then. I was devastated, but soon after this school began in our town. You never know if one might pop up–or if you feel led you can help start one! The NAUMS website really helps walk people step-by-step through starting one!
Kara
Do you happen to know what qualifications you would need to start one? If you don’t that’s fine, I’ll research it out once we actually have children lol. I’m a future planner kind of person and love learning and preparing myself 🙂
Erin
LOL! I’m the same way with future plans, Kara!! I don’t, but I know the NAUMS website has info. on it, or you can contact them via their contact form. I believe they walk you through every step of the process!
Kara
Thanks so much Erin!
sarah @ little bus on the prairie
Yes! We do this same thing, almost, only the school my daughter attends is a free, public charter school that operates on a similar hybrid schedule, with the option to homeschool 5 days per week if you choose, thus operating more like an umbrella school.
She just started her second year there and so far we love it for all the reasons you mentioned!
Erin
Oh that is SO awesome that it’s FREE, Sarah!! My hubby teaches at a charter school–but they don’t have this option. (Although he is actually going to be just working 4 days/ week this year and helping homeschool on Fridays!)
Rachel R.
I’ve never heard of this before but, in my opinion, this is essentially what Classical Conversations is. CC claims to be a co-op for homeschoolers, but the work is SO overarching that it basically “takes over” the whole rest of the week. This is fine if it’s what a family wants to do, but misleading, in my opinion, to imply that it’s something else.
It would be less confusing to people, I think, for them to claim this model.
Erin
That’s interesting, Rachel! I have heard great things about CC, but I’ve also heard it’s pretty hard-core and takes a lot of dedication.
Cleea
CC can be whatever you want it to be because the parent is the final say in the education. It definitely can “take over” but I don’t think it has to or is misleading. Typically in a University model (or certainly an umbrella school/charter school) the school is the final say- they assess and assign grades.
I would be terribly careful to claim that University Model is even close to the “best of both worlds” since the only real relation to homeschool that it carries is that you are staying home two days a week- similar to a child who misses school due to sickness. Yes there is an increase of time spent with family but it offers little to no more flexibility in the scope and sequence of the schooling than public school. My personal thought is that the main benefit of HOMESCHOOLING (as opposed to Christian schooling since both allow Christ-centered education) is the flexibility in curriculum, both the approach, style, speed, and adaptability. This option does not address those areas to warrant being “the best” of the homeschooling world. For some parents that might be just fine But as a former teacher myself and having worked with both GT and special education students- the ability to use a child’s strengths the their advantage and truly address their weaknesses individually is the heart of real education. Obviously you could do some of this on the two days they are supposed to be doing the “home-based” work, but again, they will be expected to keep up (or lag behind) with the rest of the class the next day they attend.
Erin
Hi Cleea,
Thanks for weighing in. The “best of both worlds” is actually from the NAUMS website. I guess it all depends on the reason the parent wants to have some kind of homeschooling. For our family, this really IS the best of both worlds. 🙂 Not having to choose curriculum is huge for my indecisive self!
Maggie
My daughters go to a university-model school, too! My oldest is starting 4th grade and loves it. Everything you said is right on. (Except ours doesn’t require uniforms until middle school). Another thing to mention is the small class sizes. 12 is the max at our school and there are 2 classes of each grade, so the kids really get to know each other and stay great friends through the years.
Erin
That’s so neat that your girls attend a UMS too, Maggie! The small class sizes are a huge benefit!
Libby
My family and I are part of a local Co-op for our homeschooling. All parents are required to participate (i.e. Teach or assist). This keeps the cost to little or nothing. We meet once a week, our focus is Science and History. We love it for many of the same reasons you mentioned, although I’m personally glad we only meet once a week. 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Erin
It sounds like you have a great set-up, Libby!!
Sheri
I had never actually heard of a university model school but… that is what we do! It’s called a homeschool center. We love it. I don’t have the entire responsibility of homeschooling and have partners to help when I need it. It’s really the best of both worlds. My daughters are going into 7th, 4th, and 1st and we’ve done it the entire time.
Erin
Sounds like an amazing set-up, Sheri!
Liz
I LOVE this idea! We are starting Pre-K this year at home, but I think my oldest would do wonderful in this setting. She is the opposite of your daughter – super introverted. Because of that I think this could benefit her in that she would get the social interaction that she needs without overwhelming her with 5 days of 8 hours with her peers. And then give her the time at home away from others.
I’ve always wanted to homeschool (was taught at home myself), but then I taught fifth grade for five years and that just reinforced my desire to homeschool, especially knowing my daughter’s personality now. Definitely going to have to look into this further! Thanks, Erin!
Erin
You have some good points, Liz! I hope you find the perfect solution of your daughter!
Tiffany @ DontWastetheCrumbs
It is SO strange that you posted this Erin. Ever since you first mentioned UM, I’ve been wondering what it was…. lo and behold, this model is the exact thing we’ve been looking for, but didn’t know what it was called, so our searched came up empty! THANK YOU SO MUCH for giving it a name, because now I know what I’m looking for, lol!!
Erin
How funny, Tiffany!! I hope you find one! If you don’t have a NAUMS school in your area, I know some other co-op/hybrid groups function in a similar way. NAUMS are started by parents, but I think the first 18 months or so are pretty intense to get it set up! (I’m glad I didn’t have to do it! LOL)
Clara
I tried to print the ‘first day of school’ printable a but they print out on 3 pages. 🙁 Is it something with my settings? Or another problem??
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
I have never read much about university-model schooling so this is a really helpful overview. We plan on homeschooling our children, too. As a former elementary school teacher, minimal planning sounds wonderful! 😉
I always thought we would be strictly classical (and join Classical Conversations) but now I’m not so sure. We will likely end up there. But for now, I am enjoying a slower approach focusing a lot on being outdoors and on interest-based learning.
I agree that different families need different options, but I am still thankful to see more and more families choosing to homeschool, at least part time. One of our biggest motivations for homeschool is just knowing the busyness that a typical public school schedule brings. It can be done, of course, but I am thankful for the opportunity that homeschooling affords to having a lot of time with our children to really be the ones who are primarily teaching and shepherding them.
Melissa
We do Classical Conversations and don’t find it overwhelming or find that it “takes over” our lives at all! In fact, we have found that it leaves us quite a lot of time for other activities and even other learning opportunities outside of CC (and I have 2 students in the Challenge level – the jr high/high school level). I am all for university model, CC, “regular” homeschool, or whatever works when families decide to homeschool. Our goal is to teach and train our children to love God and to have relationship with Him and with our family while receiving an education that uses their brains and hearts to the best of the abilities that God blessed them with.
Slap Dash Mom
K12 seems similar (though not faith based) and it’s free.
Amy B.
I have heard of this model of partial homeschooling before and it really intrigued me, but I didn’t know what it was called. After I saw this, I started researching and discovered a Christian school using this model 15 mins from our house!! And then randomly at the park the other day I met a group of moms whose kids all attend that school and absolutely love it. I’m so excited to pray about this as an option for our family. At this point, our only baby (so far) just turned one, so we have quite a while to figure things out, but it’s wonderful knowing this option is available. I think it really could be the best of both worlds for our family too, since I, too, am so indecisive! I think I might love the structure this model would offer. So many exciting things to think about in the coming years! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your perspective with others! It is much appreciated!
b.j.
I clicked on your link but there is no way to search for university schools in your area or any other links on that site. All I could find was a name to email. Is there another website that would be better? Thank you!
E
This definitely sounds like a best of both worlds solution. I had heard the term here and there, but never really knew what they were. I’ll look into them for my son as it might really help our situation where I’m working 30 hours a week. Do they usually put kids in classes by age though? Can you choose different classes if your kid is learning at a faster or slower rate than others their age? One of the reasons we started homeschooling is because my son wanted to learn more math and science than his grade level, but needed extra help on writing.
Meredith
My children have attended a UMS since 2009 when it opened. I have taught there since 2011 when our financial situation changed. I feel so very fortunate that my children have been able to be a part of our school, and that I have been able to teach there. It works very well for our family – I was intimidated by homeschooling, knew that we didn’t want to do public school, but also knew that we couldn’t afford a traditional Christian school without me working full time. I love that I can work part-time, and be at home with my children the other days (and wave hello to them all at school!). I agree with one commenter that a UMS doesn’t allow the flexibility that homeschooling does – a pro for some and a con for others. My one issue with your post is that children enrolled in a UMS are not homeschooled (they do not register with that state as homeschoolers) – and it was pointed out to our administration by the folks at NAUMS that the days at home shouldn’t be referred to as homeschool days, rather as satellite campus days (our homes are the satellite campuses of the school). I’m so glad that you and your daughter are enjoying your UMS experience!
Alena Belleque (The Homemade Creative)
This is really interesting; thank you for sharing! My daughter is going on three, and will attend a two day a week Christian preschool her grandma runs/teaches for two years, starting next fall, and do homeschool stuff with me two more days a week. After that, we’ll homeschool full time. If a university model is available in our area when it’s time, I’ll look into it for sure! Otherwise, there are lots of great curriculum options for parents who don’t want to or aren’t scholastically prepared to create their own, which I appreciate.
Meredith
As I was researching University Model Schools, your blog post showed up and I enjoyed reading your thoughts. My kids currently attend a full time Christian private school, but we are looking into the UMS route, one of the reasons being because of the cost difference. We are fortunate to live in an area that offers 4 different university model schools to choose from, each with a different idea on the curriculum that is taught. I have 3 kids as well, and so how do you think it’s going to work when you’re teaching 3 different levels? Have you been thinking about that as you’re working with your oldest? thanks!! There’s really not much information out there about this type of schooling, but it seems like a way of schooling that’s growing!!
Erin
That is so awesome that you have 4 different UMS in your area!! We have two, but one is 10 minutes away while the other is probably more like 35 minutes away. Our is loosely based on a classical model, while the other is a basic school model.
I have been thinking of what it will be like with all three, and, so far, I am not worried. I think it might be a bit easier (maybe I’m kidding myself?!) to actually have lessons already planned for the others! LOL At 2 and 4, sometimes it’s hard for me to keep them entertained NOW while I’m working with my kindergartener!! LOL
Best wishes in your decision! Sounds like you have some GREAT options!
Paige
Our city offers this in 1 Christian school but it is called a hybrid program. (Grand Rapids MI)
Erin
Neat!
Chelsea fairleigh
Hello, I was wondering if you still loved the university model? My daughter is starting in the fall and I cannot find much feedback about this version of schooling. We want to homeschool, but also both have to work and want our girls to be socialized. If you could give me some input about how it is going thy would be awesome!
Thanks
Chelsea f
Mary Jane
How are you still feeling about the University Model schooling? Do you have the same outlook and appreciation for it now that you are a couple years in?
Erin
I love it, Mary Jane! I love it even more now, and our second child will start kindergarten in the fall! I was just thinking today I needed to write an updated post!
Jeanine Bedell
Yes please do!!! My oldest child started kindergarten and we put him in a university model school this month for all of the reasons you mentioned here but I can’t say that I’m not nervous about how it will play out over the years . He went to one of the nicest private Christian schools in our area for preschool since our state offers a free year at age 4. ( just three hours .) That was a big change to his current university model school which is smaller much more modest and only a few years old. They do not have a music program yet and They just got an art teacher that starts in first grade which I was disappointed about him not having this year, but I am hopeful about him having next year . Would love to hear how things are going . So far we love the culture and overall loving attitudes of the school staff. It’s just not something I have had any experience with or know anyone who has traveled through.
Jaimie Tavenner
Very cool! I was homeschooling my 3 school aged children (my other 2 were too young) and found I got burnt out quickly. I kept saying “Why isn’t there a part time private school?” Hello! Here it is! We did find an amazing tutorial which sounds VERY similar to this but they used the classical method and didn’t cover all subjects (math, health, art and music were to be done 100% independently – curriculum to be chosen and administered by parents). But this is the option I’ve been dreaming of. My children are now in public school and my oldest is sitting stagnant. She’s too advanced to be in a room of 25 people moving at the slowest persons pace. Perhaps I can convince my mighty talented teacher friend to start one of these. There aren’t any….in my entire state! (Maryland) We are desperate for options here.
Kayla
Hey, there! Is there a resource you know of that lists the schools with this model in different states? Specifically SC or FL? Thank you!