In the southwest Missouri area, including Greene County, several groups offer a more religious-based curriculum. Many of these programs cover a kindergarten through 12th-grade curriculum, in addition to organized events in which children learn about art, music and history. Groups like the Home Schoolers' Academy focus on learning new skills every day, as well as teaching children about Christian belief systems. Other Christian groups offer sport competitions in which children apply both physical and mental strengths. The Springfield Home School Knights, for example, organizes camps where home-schooled children can interact with their peers for longer periods of time.
According to the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), Greene County doesn't have enlisted support groups, but there are some groups in the surrounding area. For well-rounded students, who must be 100 percent home-schooled to participate, Southwest Home Education Ministry, in Republic, Missouri, offers orchestral music classes with a professional instructor, as well as organizes sporting events to introduce children to competitive physical activity.
Another way to home-school your child is through online programs. For a small registration fee, several websites offer extensive curricula and forums in which you can exchange your experiences with other members. Families for Home Education, for example, offers comprehensive reference and research material and even legal help if you need it. Other online resources, such as the Southwest Home Education Ministry, provide helpful links and addresses for all national or local home-schooling groups.
Citizens of Springfield may use one of the local libraries to find materials for planning a home-based education, as well as more general information on home schooling as well as specific curricula. Such specialized libraries include Springfield Area Curriculum Lending Library and Springfield-Greene County Library District.