Colleen Hroncich
Colleen Hroncich
While most children attend school in person Monday through Friday, recent EdChoice polling found that only half of parents would choose that if they had other options. Around 43 percent would prefer a hybrid model where their children learn in person some days and at home other days. With results like this, it’s no wonder hybrid schooling models are gaining popularity.
While hybrid schooling has become more well-known since COVID-19, it’s been around for decades. Regina Caeli Academy, for example, was founded in Georgia in 2003 to provide homeschooling support based on the Catholic tradition. There are now 23 campuses in 16 states around the country.
I was fortunate to tour Regina Caeli Boston recently, which was founded by Christen Fitts, a former public school educator trying to meet the needs of her own family. She was homeschooled herself and loved the freedom it gave her to build her curiosity and love of learning. Her husband, on the other hand, attended public and private schools and liked their community nature. She knew from her teaching experience that public schools weren’t going to be a good fit because she saw things happening that went against her Catholic faith.
When Christen learned about Regina Caeli from a sibling, “I just felt this peace in my heart and I knew this was exactly what we needed,” she recalls. “Not only did it answer my prayer for the ability to be with my kids the majority of the week, it answered my prayer for community for me and my kids, and it also answered a desire that I had to teach. At that time. I think I was expecting my third, and I still really longed to be able to be in the education community and to be able to teach.”
Regina Caeli Academy meets in person on Mondays and Thursdays, » Read More
https://www.cato.org/blog/friday-feature-regina-caeli-boston