Previously published in the Rockford Register Star during School Choice Week, January 2020 – updated to reflect changes in data, January 2026

On a typical Tuesday morning, Emmaus students are waking to alarms, sleepily slipping their arms through their uniform, grabbing their lunches, and heading for the car.  

Not how you envision a week of homeschooling beginning?  Understandable!  Homeschooling in partnership with Emmaus Academy is a unique blending of both the “traditional” school model and the home school model that truly has the potential to be the “best of both worlds” to the families who partner with us. 

Perceived by some as the most drastic school choice option, and others, the most natural, the homeschooling option allows parents to be the driving force behind their child’s education, bearing both the great responsibility and enjoying the vast benefits of this investment in their children’s lives. Illinois continues to be an excellent environment for homeschooling, protected in large part by an Illinois Supreme Court ruling from the 1950s which held that homeschooling is considered private schooling in Illinois. 

And it is clear that homeschooling is here to stay.  Current statistics indicate that there are approximately 2.2 million homeschooled students across the nation (3.7 million as of 2023-2024), with an annual growth rate of 5% per annum. These students homeschool in a variety of different ways, on a variety of different schedules ,and through a variety of different partnerships. Although parents are not required to seek outside assistance as they homeschool, many see partnerships with other educational environments as a wonderful support to their homeschool journey. 

One such choice is a hybrid school like Emmaus Academy.  Generally speaking, hybrid schools blend on-campus attendance, usually 2 – 3 days a week, with home school days. Parents and on-campus teachers share the privilege and responsibility of educating homeschool students each week. Hybrid schools like ours are growing in popularity across the country, though relatively few communities have an option like Emmaus Academy.  

Is it possible that Emmaus Academy has found the best of both worlds?  We believe we have!

During the two formal school days at Emmaus Academy, students can expect to be immersed in story, as they develop eyes to see the truth, beauty and goodness in the past and the present. They can expect to encounter big ideas and learn how to communicate them effectively.  They can expect to express themselves creatively through art and music, and they should expect to be doing all of this in a distinctly Christian environment. It also includes weekly instruction in Latin and grammar, math and science. The education is rigorous and thoughtful, implemented through the methodology of Classical and Charlotte Mason education.  

On the two-three days at home, parents craft their own school days, guided by the lesson plans provided by Emmaus Academy.  Here they build upon the work that happens in the classroom, while maintaining their family culture and priorities.  The common, shared experience of the school day at Emmaus blends with the unique, individual experience of each home school.  These past six years (now, 11 years) have shown us that this partnership can work, does work and provides a wonderful framework for future success. 

Is homeschooling the school choice option for everyone?  Of course not. Is a hybrid school like Emmaus Academy a perfect fit for every homeschooling family?  No.  But we believe that this unique partnership has great potential to be the best of both worlds for homeschooling families in the greater Rockford area.  Naturally, therefore, we continue to support school choice options for each family in our community, recognizing the value that a private school education, a homeschool education, can provide for students and their families.

To learn more about Emmaus Academy, visit our website at emmausacademy.com or follow us on Instagram.  Feel free to contact us at info@emmausacademy.com.  To support the mission and vision of Emmaus Academy, now and into the future, consider donating here.