Academics

Independent Studies at Mansfield Christian School

About Us
The Independent Studies Program at Mansfield Christian School was founded in 1981 by a few parents that desired to teach their children at home under the direction of MCS utilizing the gym and a few classrooms each week. The attitude of the administration at that time was, “We are here to meet the needs of our community.” Therefore, Mansfield Christian School opened their doors to the home school community. At that time, there were very few families teaching their children at home and those that were, did so with threat of having their children taken away from them. As the years evolved, Ohio passed rules governing home schooling that made it legal to teach children at home. It was during those early years that Mansfield Christian School created the Home School Program for grades K-6. Over the years, the program was renamed to the Division of Independent Studies and expanded to include students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade. What a blessing after almost thirty years to see up to a third of the graduating class each year, having had at least some of their schooling done at home. The Lord has truly blessed our program as we at MCS, have served the needs of the community.

Our Purpose
“These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 The Word of God lays the responsibility of child training directly upon the parents. Parents are to be actively involved in working with their children. Mansfield Christian School provides programs in which guidance is provided in the teaching of educational skills, but when it comes to child training, the teaching of some basic things as obedience, respect for other, and good habits, the parents are the main source for instruction.

Whom We Serve
Because we believe that parents are mainly responsible for the education of their children, we offer the Independent Studies Program as a choice to those who prefer teaching their children at home. Our main purpose is to offer a preference to those families who have a strong commitment, preferably based on a religious conviction, to teach their children at home. An interview process is conducted which puts high priority on the regular church attendance of the family and also on how much, if any, the main parent educator works outside the home. The reason a family desires to home school through MCS is discussed at that time.

Frequently Ask Questions
Here are some FAQ's from home school parents. If your question is not answered here or on our IS web site please feel free to contact Linda Hoeflich at 419-756-5651 Ext. 219.

Q. Do I have to have a teaching degree to home school my children through the IS program?
A. No, a teaching degree is not required to home school your children.

Q. Do you offer classes or times when home schoolers can get together?
A. Yes, we do offer classes for all grades of home schoolers. Please see Why Home School through MCS for class options.

Q. Are the daily assignments that MCS students are assigned, available to the home school family?
A. No, only if your student is taking the class at MCS are home work assignments available.

Q. How do I choose which curriculum that is best for my family?
A. As an Independent Studies family you will be assigned a coordinator to assist you in making curriculum choices. We do not require you to use a specific curriculum.

Q. Do you arrange field trips?
A. Yes, we do arrange field trips as a group, however, you and your family can also do field trips.

Q. Can my student be involved in MCS activities such as sports, music programs, & drama?
A. Yes, all activities that are available to full time MCS students are also available to IS students

Q. Can my high school student take Post Secondary classes receiving high school and college credit?
A. If your student qualifies to take PSO classes they may take them on the MCS campus and receive high school and college credit.

Q. What about testing?
A. Testing is available and in some grades required for each student. Please see Testing for IS on the IS main page.