How Do We Define CHESS?

CHESS is a support group that provides academic and elective courses for homeschooling families, as well as a graduation, a national homeschool honor society and annual dance. We connect homeschooling families with the community, courses, and resources to homeschool through high school with confidence – and we’ve been doing that since 2001! We are not a school, but we do provide hybrid, in-person and online classes for 4^th-12^th grade students. Our students are not full-time CHESS students, even if they are taking a full course load of classes. They are part-time because as private homeschooled students, their parents are directing their education. 

Parents have the freedom to choose individual classes – not an entire program – so that they can customize their child’s education to meet their unique needs. Parents know their children best and can tailor their education to allow them to advance in areas where they excel, and pace other subjects appropriately for their child, while complying with state homeschooling laws.

Classes meet one or two days per week for instruction. After class time, students complete their studies on their own at home, with the structure provided by the teachers for successful completion of assignments. The limited in-person class time encourages personal growth; students learn time management and life skills which is great preparation for college and advanced learning.

Similar to cottage schools, the small class sizes at CHESS promote student-teacher connections where the students are personally known and have the opportunity to work alongside their peers. Our teachers truly care about their students. CHESS is a community of home educators who are helping equip the next generation in a supportive environment.

We also consider CHESS to be a college-prep program since many of our classes are college level classes taught at the high school pace – spread out over a period of a year versus one semester. The pace provides a solid foundation in subject areas preparing students for advanced studies and is especially helpful for students who will pursue college majors or careers in those areas. You can read a personal testimony by former CHESS student, Daniel Glenn, entitled “Five Ways CHESS Prepared Me for College and Beyond” here.

CHESS is an affordable option compared to private schools in the area – about one-third the cost!  We fill a unique gap between private schools and parent led coops where the parents are required to either teach or volunteer their time. Parents have the opportunity to serve, but are not required to do so.

Our teachers are Christians with years of educating experience – many of them hold degrees and/or have careers or professional accomplishments in the fields in which they teach. Their faith influences what and how they teach, and the curriculum they choose – which can be very different from what students may experience at community colleges in the area. 

We are here to serve YOU, our homeschooling students and families, providing classes and community outside of your family setting.  We welcome you to join us!

CHESS – Community Homeschool Enrichment Support Services – Helping families homeschool through high school with confidence since 2001.

Caring teachers
Helping families
Enriching courses
Supporting parents
Serving the next generation