The Heartland Education Reformation Organization (HERO) offers another School Choice alternative by connecting churches and Christian educators to provide Creative Christian Learning Environments (CCLE) and curricula to match families’ religious beliefs.
Churches’ commitments to HERO range from starting their own school to hosting an existing school to offering scholarships to students and families seeking opportunities outside of public schools.
From the organization’s Mission Statement:
HERO’S mission is to form partnerships between churches and Christian educators in order to have a greater impact with families in their congregation and community. Their joint efforts will help to reform education by launching and supporting innovative Christian schools, (or Creative Christian Learning Environments, CCLEs) as an alternative to public education.
We asked home school entrepreneur and HERO founder Dalena Wallace, a mom of six who educated her kids at home, why include churches in the expansion of home schools/micro schools:
“It makes perfect sense for churches to be involved in this education reformation. K12 education is a very natural extension of a church’s goals for missions and outreach within their community. A church could offer a Christian microschool as a ministry for the families of their own congregation and as a missional service for families outside of their congregation who are seeking alternatives to public education.
“The HERO project suggests three ways for the church to do this: 1. They can start a school or allow an existing faith-based school to use their facility, (it shouldn’t be sitting empty M-F anyways!). 2. They can sponsor an existing faith-based school by offering to pray for them, volunteer, donate money or supplies, serve lunches, etc… 3. They can offer scholarships for students to attend a local Christian school. If a church cannot start its own small school, they could form a partnership with a like-minded school in their area. Together, their combined efforts would help fulfill a mutual mission while training students in their shared faith and values. Any way you look at it, it makes perfect sense for the church to be involved in the education of the next generation, not just Sunday mornings, but Monday through Friday as well.”
What factors do “edupreneurs” like yourself need to consider when starting a micro school, and how can churches assist in meeting those needs?
“Many individuals refer to their desire to start a faith-based school as a “calling”. In the same way that a missionary may feel called overseas to minister to other nations, these school founders are feeling called to their own local community. Indeed, K12 education is a mission field right in our own backyards. Although there is no language barrier to overcome, like overseas missions, there are still certain hurdles that a school founder will encounter. To start a school it requires 3 things (and the church has them all): space, volunteers, and money. These common hurdles can easily be overcome with the help of the local church.”
What learning activities do some micro schools offer students that public schools don’t?
“The main thing that a church-based microschool can offer that the public school does not, is an environment that supports and nurtures their faith and values. In addition to this, microschools’ small class sizes allow for more individualized learning opportunities, flexibility in schedules, more parent involvement, and possibilities for apprenticeship programs. This model of church/school/family partnership is more grounding for children and allows them to establish deep roots while growing academically. A church microschool can be a very small, simple, and manageable endeavor that has the potential to make a profound impact in our culture.”
She adds a documentary on CCLEs is on the way in early 2025:
“The HERO film is currently underway! The goal of this documentary is to highlight the work of school founders across Kansas who are creating brand-new models of education as a form of ministry. These Creative Christian Learning Environments are popping up everywhere and the goal of the HERO project is to encourage the Church to show their support of this movement. Look for the release of the HERO film in Spring 2025. View the trailer: https://youtu.be/TPCHgT3YXY0?si=_qzFyg778KIrnB_J For more information about HERO visit: https://www.heartlandhero.org/”
