Families in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City now have another option to consider for the education and faith formation of their children.
Saint Mary Academy in Guthrie is now enrolling students in a home-school cooperative program for the 2023-24 school year. The program expands school choice by providing parents with the tools and training to serve as the primary educators of their children.
Father James Wickersham, pastor of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Guthrie, explained why the school is opening as a homeschool co-op model.
“We want to offer resources and provide support as we walk with parents on their homeschool journey,” Father Wickersham said.
The closure of Saint Mary Catholic School in 2020, coupled with an increasing interest from the growing homeschool community, prompted parishioners to approach Father Wickersham with the idea of equipping parents with the knowledge and resources to educate their children in the Catholic classical tradition. After three years of research, planning and development, the vision of Saint Mary Academy is coming to fruition.
Rachel Sandoval, one of the driving forces behind the inception of the co-op, calls it a beautiful middle ground.
“The mission of Saint Mary is to help equip parents to be the primary educators of their children,” she explained. “Many parents I’ve talked to feel called to homeschool but don’t know where to start and are intimidated by the thought of being the sole educator.”
Students will receive in-person instruction two days per week, Tuesday and Thursday, with the three remaining days dedicated to parent-led learning at home.
“This model is perfect for those wanting to take a homeschooling approach to their children’s education but want guidance, accountability and community to go along with it,” Sandoval said.
Education in the Catholic classical tradition follows a three-part process called the “trivium,” which emphasizes the areas of grammar, logic and rhetoric.
Headmaster Tomas Sandoval explained the trivium follows the natural human inclination to learn in stages.
“It starts with grammar, we first learn to speak and articulate thoughts,” he said. “Then around middle school age we move on to logic: asking why, looking for proof, making sense of the world around us.”
Rhetoric incorporates the ability to articulate thoughts and use logic into the next natural stage of human learning.
“It’s deep diving,” Sandoval said. “What is truth, what is good, why is it good and how do I explain this to others?”
Father Wickersham described Saint Mary Academy as a true community-led effort. Having parents as facilitators will allow the co-op to operate independently of the parish, as a self-sustaining entity. Every Tuesday will be “family day” which requires one parent from each family to contribute their time and talent to the co-op by teaching, cleaning, providing administrative support or other general assistance.
The full-day commitment once a week takes an all-hands-on-deck approach to serving students, as well as providing support to parents – particularly those who are new to homeschooling.
“This helps forge a bond between the parents as well,” Father Wickersham said. “The idea is to create a community.”
The autonomous nature of this framework makes Catholic education more accessible for families who might otherwise be unable to afford the cost of tuition.
“One of my requirements in opening the co-op was that it must be more accessible to our parish families, especially the larger ones,” Father Wickersham said. “And it can not rely on the parish for subsidies.”
Although Saint Mary Academy is affiliated with Saint Mary Catholic Church, it will operate independently of the parish and the archdiocese.
Lara Schuler, archdiocesan director of Catholic education, explained the role of the archdiocese is to offer resources and support.
“We are here to support parents as the first educators of their children in whatever way they choose,” Schuler said. “We want to assist parents with the faith formation and education of their children, however they best see fit.”
In-person instruction will take place in the building that formerly housed the parish school.
Father Wickersham explained that although the closure of the parish school several years ago was a disappointment for many families, it ultimately resulted in an opportunity to expand school choice options and allow parents more involvement in their children’s education.
“If you leave room for God to work, he does some pretty good stuff!” Father Wickersham said.
For more information about Saint Mary Academy in Guthrie, visit smaguthrie.org.
Sally Linhart is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.