It’s happened again—this time in my own backyard. The unsettling news of a tragic shooting at Willow Creek Elementary School in my friend’s neighborhood has left me shaken. A teenager, who has not been named due to his age, took a handgun and inflicted harm on two students and a teacher. He even shot his father before this horrifying act. Thankfully, a local volunteer stepped in to stop him before law enforcement arrived. It’s hard to believe that such events are becoming commonplace, and it’s a significant reason why I’ve opted to keep my kids out of traditional schools.
I understand that homeschooling isn’t feasible or desirable for everyone. Many parents juggling two jobs or navigating single parenthood don’t have the luxury of time or resources. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have the option to bypass the conventional education system.
My husband works as a public school teacher, and I’ve watched him go through some overly intricate intruder drills that include barricading the door with cardboard. He’s instructed not to open the door, even to students who might be hurt. During these drills, steel doors slam shut with ominous signs stating “Do Not Open. Active Shooter Behind This Door.” It’s chilling.
These drills have even made their way down to preschoolers. Recently, a photo went viral showing a little girl practicing her active shooter drill by standing on a toilet. Her mother, Laura Peterson, poignantly reflected, “In that moment, I realized my three-year-old’s innocence was gone.”
Joe Ramirez, an educator specializing in active shooter response, noted in an interview that even the youngest students should be trained to act, shouting and throwing objects to distract an intruder. But I can’t imagine my children, especially my youngest, darting around throwing toys at someone armed with an AR-15.
While the threat of active shooter situations isn’t the only reason for my choice to homeschool, it’s certainly a major factor. Each week, it seems like there’s news of another mass shooting, and I struggle to breathe as I wave goodbye to my kids boarding the bus. The unpredictability of when and where tragedy might strike weighs heavily on my heart. I cannot send my children to a place that has turned into a potential danger zone.
Additionally, my middle son, Max, is particularly sensitive to these drills. My eldest, Jake, brushes them off, but Max becomes consumed with questions and fears about school shootings. He ends up having nightmares, and I refuse to let that anxiety color his childhood. So, he stays home.
Of course, our reasons for homeschooling extend beyond safety concerns. We reject the relentless test-driven model of modern education. With my background in teaching, I disagree with how American history is often presented—overly simplistic narratives that gloss over complex realities. At home, I can teach them about the world as I see it. We have the freedom to explore their interests—like Max’s current obsession with space—and let them learn at their own pace. Jake can dive into Peter Pan while discussing its themes, and Max is just starting to grasp basic math. It’s okay that they’re on different paths; there’s no pressure to conform to a rigid timeline.
School shootings aren’t the only reason we choose to keep our kids home, but they play a significant role. Research from Harvard and Northwestern indicates that mass shootings have tripled since 2011, occurring on average every 64 days. Since 2013, organizations have documented over 160 incidents involving firearms on school grounds, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities. I can’t bear the thought of my children becoming just another statistic.
So, for now, my kids will stay home. Sure, there are risks in homeschooling as well—after all, our physical education often includes kayaking, which has its own hazards. But I feel a sense of relief knowing they’re far less likely to face gun violence. In today’s world, that’s a significant advantage of homeschooling.
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Summary:
This article discusses the author’s decision to homeschool her children, largely influenced by the fear of school shootings. While acknowledging that homeschooling is not an option for everyone, the author highlights the emotional toll of active shooter drills and the desire for a safer, more personalized educational experience for her children. The piece also touches on broader concerns regarding the increasing frequency of mass shootings in schools.