When families talk about “choosing school,” the conversation usually stops at public vs. private vs. homeschool. But real life is messier—and much more interesting. In our very first episode of Beyond the Schoolhouse, my co-host Simit turns the mic on me so you can hear the story behind this show: how I (Sarah McCubbin), a mom of nine, found my way through co-ops, hybrid programs, private school years, and true DIY homeschool—and why I believe every family can design an education that fits real kids and real parents.
We dig into:
- What pushed our family to rethink the default path
- Early wins and “wish I’d known” lessons from 18+ years of homeschooling
- How community (hello, co-ops!) changes everything
- Why this podcast exists—and what you can expect in the weeks ahead
If you’re curious, overwhelmed, or simply ready for options, start here. This is the origin story and the roadmap for what’s coming next. 🎧 Listen to Episode 1 now and subscribe so you don’t miss a single conversation.
Opening (00:00)
Sarah McCubbin:
Welcome to Beyond the Schoolhouse, discovering the best of public, private, home school, and alternative learning… (intro as in original transcript)
Sarah:
…So for this very first episode, Simit is in the interviewer’s chair and he is going to interview me to help you get to know me… (intro continues and tees up Episode 2)
Meet Sarah (02:05)
Simit:
Hi, my name is Simit Patel… I’ll interview Sarah so you know who you’re listening to… Sarah, want to introduce yourself?
Sarah:
I’m a mom of nine… we’ve homeschooled, done public and private… I’ve worked as a homeschool blogger… I’m excited to create a space where innovative ideas come together…
Why Nine Kids? (03:23)
Simit:
Nine is a lot! What led to that?
Sarah:
My mom is one of 11… I joked I wanted 10… We’re biological and adoptive parents and were foster parents for eight years… We believe children are a blessing—even when it’s chaotic… We adopted three, had seven kids nine and under at one point… it was crazy!
Adoption: Motivations & Real Talk (05:22)
Simit:
We considered adoption—concerns about bonding, identity… Are those real?
Sarah:
All of that’s real. I grew up near a family with ~25 adopted kids and relatives with ~20… Seeing families meet kids’ needs was powerful. We became foster parents for kids we knew, then adopted, and fostered more… It’s life-changing—I’m glad we did it, but it’s hard.
Simit:
How many kids did you have when the first adopted child arrived?
Sarah:
We had five; two months after our fifth was born, we took in number six as a foster placement, then his sister… He was 10 months old; his sister was eight.
The Start of Homeschooling (09:00)
Simit:
When and why did you start homeschooling?
Sarah:
We started with an online charter in 2007 because my husband worked nights and we wanted time together. It lasted ~six months of kindergarten. It was overwhelming—too much content for age. I realized my priorities were reading and math. We pulled out and homeschooled.
Finding Community: Co-ops & a Classical Microschool (11:32)
Sarah:
In first grade, we homeschooled. In second, we joined a homeschool co-op and also a classical microschool two days a week. It was excellent but far, rigorous, and a stretch financially. We returned to straight homeschooling plus co-op, keeping what worked (e.g., memory work).
How Co-ops Worked for Our Family (12:26)
Simit:
Did the younger kids come along?
Sarah:
Yes—co-ops often have preschool activities. Over time all the kids joined. When it didn’t fit a child, we used other options—private school, public reading support, etc.
Leadership: Running a 150-Student Co-op (14:28)
Simit:
You led a co-op—how did that happen?
Sarah:
Most co-ops are volunteer-run nonprofits. I joined the board after a few years. When the original co-op took a sabbatical, I helped restart it on short notice. I served as director for six years—about 50 families / 150 kids, preschool through seniors—full Mondays (9–3), academics in the morning, electives in the afternoon, plus field trips, performances, and celebrations.
Class Grouping, Syllabi & Weekly Work (17:21)
Simit:
How were classes structured?
Sarah:
Multi-age bands (e.g., K–1, 2–3, 4–5). Teachers created yearlong syllabi with readings, projects, and weekly at-home work. We did messy/interactive activities at co-op (experiments, art, projects) and left bookwork for home. In elementary years, some families did little homework; in middle/high school, students followed the syllabus closely.
Simit:
What was your relationship to teachers?
Sarah:
We had a board (treasurer, teacher lead, director). The board set goals and curriculum (classical-leaning). Teacher lead handled training and syllabus review before parent orientation. It kept expectations clear.
Social Life & Friendship Building (18:20)
Simit:
How was the social dynamic?
Sarah:
Large classes (10–20) helped. Families who intentionally overlapped lives—Saturday soccer, dance, 4-H, church—found friendships more easily. If co-op is your only touchpoint, it can be harder. In private high school, our kids overlapped through sports (football, cross-country), robotics, engineering, etc.
Choosing Different Models for Different Kids (25:02)
Simit:
How did you decide who homeschooled vs. who went to school?
Sarah:
We sent one son to a Waldorf school in 5th when homeschooling clearly wasn’t working—he was disengaged and highly peer-motivated. He thrived there. Later, older kids chose private high school for daily math help, tutoring, sports (XC/track), music (handbells), robotics, engineering—hard to replicate at home.
Math Struggles & Support (29:16)
Simit:
Did you find good math instruction while homeschooling?
Sarah:
We tried many curricula, online options, and a local school math class. Common Core methods didn’t click for her. At the private school, expectations were clear—sink or swim—and she chose to work hard: tutoring every day, etc. She went from early D/Fs to straight A’s in math by senior year.
Hybrid Paths & Asking for What You Need (33:06)
Sarah:
There are more mix-and-match options than ever—public schools sometimes allow partial enrollment (e.g., morning reading/math), plus co-ops, online classes, and private options. Schools won’t always advertise flexibility—you may need to ask. Know your state laws and be confident.
Encouragement for Burnout Season (35:10)
Sarah:
Early in the school year, burnout can hit. Feeling uncertain doesn’t mean you’re failing. I’m the poster child for imperfect homeschooling—and my kids are doing great: one graduated in software engineering, another pursuing chemical engineering, a daughter starting special education. Slow down, reevaluate, and remember—you have options.
Closing (36:59)
Sarah:
Thanks for listening to Beyond the Schoolhouse… If you’re ready to start a homeschool group or microschool, visit indieeducationnetwork.com and fill out the form for tools and guidance. Remember: learning happens everywhere.
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