TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - It's the time of year where kids prepare to go back to school.
But how do families prepare for home school? One local family makes their home a classroom.
"The time I get with my kids is priceless and feel like the kids are each others best friend and I'm super close with them as well which wouldn't necessarily happen if we weren't home schooled," said Tallahassee resident Stephanie Parker.
Stephanie is not your typical stay at home mom. For the past 12 years, Stephanie's eight children have known her as a mother and teacher.
According to a recent study by the National Home Education Research Institute, only 3.3 percent of school age population is home schooled.
"Your teacher is meant for teaching but they don't always give you the one-on-one that you need. I'm able to work at the pace that suits me," said David Parker, Stephanie's son. "That has allowed me to get ahead and now I'm in college at age 16."
According to Stephanie, unlike public school families, home school families' school supplies and the books for their family is very affordable and can be reused.
"I would probably say way less money than the average public school family for materials," said Stephanie. "One we reuse with multiple children, but two, there is online curriculum that is free."
Even though, home school teachers are not required to follow state curriculum, Florida law requires that every home school child is evaluated by a certified teacher to determine if the student has learned enough to move up to the next grade.
The Parker family also uses online P.E. courses to engage their kids in many community activities.
