Many families opting to homeschool children

  • Published
  • By Laura McGowan
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – About 2.3 million children in the United States are homeschooled according to a 2018 article, Research Facts on Homeschooling, by Brian Ray, Ph.D, who references a poll about homeschooling stating that there are about 2.3 million home-educated students in the United States (as of Spring 2016).

This educational opportunity is one that some military families have chosen for their children, and Maj. Kristoffer Surdukowski, physical therapist, 88th Medical Operations Squadron, Wright-Patterson Medical Center, and his wife Jen Surdukowski have homeschooled all five of their children for the past eight years.

“This school year, my children are in 1st, 2nd, 5th, 10th and 11th grades,” Jen said. “It’s a nice variety!”

She explained that the Wright-Patterson Homeschool Group, is not “officially” associated with the base, but they are made up of military families who currently have 106 members. They run their group via Facebook, because that’s been the easiest way for busy moms to stay connected, and she provides administrative duties for the group.

“Each homeschool family uses their own curriculum of choice and reports to the state of Ohio each year,” said Jen. “Our group [comes together] for supplemental classes, field trips and to support [each other].”

Besides the basic classes of reading, writing and arithmetic, some of the classes they have this year are: gym class twice monthly, chess club/board games twice monthly, art classes monthly, and Chinese classes weekly. They also have science fairs and summer park days.

“Recent trips [have been] berry picking, farm tours, Bee school visit, Stream Study, Dayton Art Institute and a fire station visit,” said Jen.

The Surdukowskis have found that homeschooling works for them, and their children are flourishing with the scholastic and physical training plans provided to them.

For more information, visit the Wright-Patterson Homeschool Group Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WrightPattersonHomeschoolGroup/