CHESS director and veteran homeschool mom, Tara Taylor, shares about experiences and values that influenced her view of high school education and the shaping of the learning culture at CHESS.   

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What value do you see in the learning environment and pace at CHESS, how is it unique? 

My view on high school education was influenced by a conversation with a former CHESS teacher who was also a professor at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). When I asked her why a student should take the same high school science course from her at CHESS rather than at NOVA, she said, “So that they can really learn the material.” Her point was that in college, students often ‘cram’ material for exams and don’t have the time to thoroughly absorb what they are learning. 

She explained that students need to establish a solid foundation of knowledge particularly in subject areas that the student may pursue for their future degree. I wanted my kids to have a lifelong love for learning, so it made sense that learning would involve really absorbing the material. 

If I was asked why a high school student should take a higher-level science at CHESS rather than at a community college, I would say because the student will really learn the material. If a student wants to go into science, they need to really learn the material, not just cram for a test. At CHESS we have the advantage of being able to give students a solid foundation.

What is rewarding for you about being a part of CHESS?

I like to see the kids make friends, and to see those friendships develop. I love it when the kids are excited about what they are learning, when they make a connection with their teachers and subjects. I love when the kids are coming out of world geography with their projects, grinning from ear to ear saying “Look what we made!”

As another example, in a class where the students make tri-board presentations, I can see the work that the kids have put into their projects and know that they are really learning and gaining value from what we have to offer. They’re gaining confidence and being equipped.  

We’ve had kids come back and tell us how valuable their CHESS experience was to them and how equipped they were for college. One student spent the whole summer writing a book after being in one of Mr. Jenkins’ writing classes. Those kinds of stories make your heart sing. It’s amazing to see the kids take what they are learning and run with it. 

When you get into college, your focus in on passing tests. At CHESS we have a pace that allows kids to learn and absorb the material and gives them the foundation [they need]. For us it’s not just the grade that matters—learning is the goal. 

At CHESS we have a pace that allows kids to learn and absorb the material and gives them the foundation [they need]. For us it’s not just the grade that matters—learning is the goal. 

When the kids come back and talk about the value they received [from CHESS], this is a big deal to me. I’ve heard from some of the kids that a class they took in high school helped them decide what career to pursue. [Students at this age] are at the point of decision making, and their exposure at CHESS can help them decide what kind of career they will pursue.  

What led you to homeschool, and how has this influenced the culture at CHESS?

I heard about homeschooling from some friends at church, who encouraged me that I could do it. And I loved being with my kids! I didn’t want to send them away when they were little. My spouse had a bad experience in private school. I also had some negative memories of [my public preschool and elementary school experience], so the idea appealed to us. A friend came alongside me and gave me the courage and support I needed to get started. She looked me in the eye and said “[repeat after me] a – apple, b – bell, c – cat…”. I wanted to share and teach my children the values that I wanted them to have rather than the world’s values. I heard it said some years ago that no matter why you started homeschooling—do it for the Lord now. Different circumstances might motivate us to homeschool, but either way, do it for the Lord – I could not have homeschooled without God’s help! 

The foundation of the CHESS program is our reliance upon God. I believe that we exist because God wills it, and we’ll continue as long as he blesses us. That foundation influences the culture at CHESS. I chose the support of the CHESS homeschool program to help me homeschool through high school because I wanted my kids to be influenced by godly teachers who would reinforce the principles they were taught at home. I knew that the world would soon be telling them things that were contrary to my values. I wanted them to have a solid foundation. I am grateful for the teachers at CHESS who influenced and invested in my kids and taught them the subjects that I didn’t enjoy or just didn’t have the time to tackle. By giving them so much more than subject knowledge, their teachers helped equip them for life.