About Us

Who Are We?

"We believe that relationships are the key to a quality education."

Dekalb Christian Home Educators (DCHE) supports under-resourced homeschooling families seeking to intentionally craft an educational journey for their child that addresses academic, emotional, and physical development.

DCHE is also a dynamic multigenerational homeschool cooperative and parent support group offering financially- accessible academic enrichment, extracurricular activities, family-centric social engagement, and parent-instructor opportunities.

For three decades, we have championed the “Parent-as-Educator” movement with a participatory-governance membership model that necessitates parental engagement as program administrators via teaching opportunities, collaborative decision-making, and advocacy that activates an ecosystem of community partnerships to support educational choice.

Our financial model is a participatory membership model where families pay $125 annually and contribute ten parental engagement hours. This model creates built-in staffing using mission-aligned volunteers. Thus, 104 member families equal 1040 work hours. We do not collect tuition for classes. The individual parent-instructor or provider is a contractor and pays DCHE a $5 per student host site fee per semester. All field trips have a 15% coordinating fee. We receive monies by hosting events, academic fairs, an annual homeschool conference, and a curriculum book sale. Since 1989, all these monies have covered the administrative overhead. No grant monies were received until after the pandemic. Our 2021-2024 grants and sponsorship awards total $140,600.

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Our Goals:

Equip

We provide a comprehensive curriculum overseen by a blend of both credentialed and experienced homeschooling parents. To maintain high standards, each course syllabus undergoes review by a credentialed instructor, ensuring alignment with academic excellence. This collaborative approach combines expertise and practical experience to deliver a quality educational experience. Through community teaching initiatives and strategic partnerships, we ensure equitable access to essential resources, fostering inclusivity in education. Our on-site facilities, including a library and gymnasium, further enrich the dynamic learning environment we offer to homeschooling families.

Encourage

We cultivate a supportive community through regular parent support groups and engaging events such as spelling bees, science fairs, and career showcases. By providing opportunities for social interaction and academic enrichment, we foster a sense of belonging and encouragement among our members. Our commitment to celebrating diverse interests and talents ensures that every student feels valued and empowered to pursue their passions.

Energize

We infuse our program with energy by offering enriching field trips once a month, where students explore botanical gardens, museums, and cultural landmarks. On alternate Fridays, our focus shifts to engaging clubs and extracurricular activities, providing opportunities for students to delve into interests like the Beta Club, 4-H, art honors society, and more. Through these experiences, we inspire curiosity, foster a sense of belonging, and cultivate leadership skills, preparing students for success in a dynamic world.

Empower

We empower our members to advocate for homeschooling rights and actively engage in legislative processes. Through partnerships with organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association and the Georgia Home Educators Association, we provide resources and support for families to navigate legal challenges and protect their educational freedoms. By amplifying our collective voice and advocating for positive change, we empower homeschooling families to shape the future of education.

Staffed by Volunteer Parents

Vision

To cultivate a vibrant homeschooling community where every family has access to enriching educational resources and opportunities, empowering students to thrive and excel in their learning journey.

Mission

Our mission is to provide homeschooling families with comprehensive support, innovative programs, and a nurturing environment that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement. Through collaborative teaching, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to inclusivity, we empower parents and students to achieve their fullest potential and drive positive change in education.

Goal

Our goal is to equip, encourage, energize, and empower homeschooling families through a blend of credentialed instruction, community support, engaging activities, and advocacy efforts. We strive to ensure that every student receives a well-rounded education, enriched by diverse experiences, and supported by a network of dedicated parents and educators. By fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and empowerment, we aim to create a dynamic learning ecosystem that prepares students for success in an ever-changing world.

Testimonial

What Our Parents Have to Say

Angela Paul

"People often worry that if their children are homeschooled they will be limited. My children were able to explore many options that would not have been available to them if they had been in a traditional school. While my husband and I were the primary instructors for them, the entire community played a role. They learned how to reach out to other adults and build relationships and opportunities with them. While our home was the base for them, truly the entire community was their school. "

Margaret Shuman

"We prayed for our son to have friends and we found them. I wanted some strong academics and activities to support what I was going to do anyway in homeschooling, and we found them. It was not a perfect community, but Christians generally behaved well, seeking peace when things were upside down, and supporting other families who wanted to serve Jesus and raise kids who would be good at heart and hopefully keep following Jesus down the road somewhere. I like that there was a mix of Christians involved, and generally a welcoming place for kids who were looking for truth but outside the faith. This helped our whole family, parents, and child, have a home."

Caryn Brown Becker

"I would home-educate again if I had to do it all over. My husband and I were passionate about spending quality time with our children before they were "free into the world." Through home education, I have lifelong friends who were in the "trenches" with me from the beginning. I appreciated the wise advice of seasoned home educators before we started our oldest child, who is now a court reporter in Gwinnett County. My mother had a doctorate and two master's degrees. She felt I was wasting my college education, but even she had to admit that our children were doing well in school. Our goal as parents was to guide them in their God-given passions, and our adult children are working, most in their chosen field of interest. It takes teamwork and sacrifice, but God was always faithful to provide for our needs at every step. Homeschooling did it not stop me from going back to school once they had all graduated so I could keep pursuing my own dreams."

Class Enrollment Process:

1. Each family must have a primary parent account. To register, use the Register link in the upper right corner of the website.

2. Fill in your information to create a new account. You may use any username and password that is easy for you to remember. Upon submitting your form, you will receive an authentication email to verify your account with Dekalb Christian Home Educators.

3. Once you have verified your account, you may add your student(s) to the account. To do this, click on “My Account” (upper right corner of website); this will take you to your User Profile, where you can edit your contact or other information. Click on “My Students,” then “Add A Student,” and add your student(s) to the system.

4. Browse the available courses, and for each course you wish to enroll in, click the Enroll button to add a registration for this course to your shopping cart.

5. As you check out, the system will ask you which of your students is enrolling in each course.

6. You will be directed to a PayPal page to pay the registration fee. You do not need a PayPal account — PayPal will process a debit card, a credit card, or a PayPal payment.

The registration form includes the following:

1. READ THE BYLAWS and STATEMENT OF FAITH.

2. COMPLETE THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

3. REGISTER YOUR CHILD(REN) FORCLASSES AND/OR FIELD TRIPS AND PAY THE MEMBERSHIP and CLASS REGISTRATION FEES

(Class Registration fees and the Membership Registration fee are NON-REFUNDABLE)

4. AGREE with this statement “I understand that volunteerism is mandatory to maintain membership.“

QUESTIONS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP?

Review FAQs
Contact our New Members Coordinator – Mrs. Coretta Ponder (corettaponder@gmail.com).