Homeschooling Laws And The Amish: Do They Apply?

Homeschooling is rare among the Amish, as it conflicts with the Amish ideal of community. However, a small minority of Amish families opt to homeschool their children. In 1972, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Wisconsin v. Yoder that Amish children don't need to attend school beyond the eighth grade, and this ruling still stands. This means that Amish children are exempt from state compulsory attendance beyond the eighth grade based on religious principles.

Amish schooling ends at the eighth grade

Amish schooling does indeed end at the eighth grade, though Amish education continues beyond this point. Amish children attend school from age six (first grade) to 14 or 15 (eighth grade). This is because the Amish feel that an eighth-grade education is sufficient for life in their society.

The Amish have a strong belief in education, but their schooling differs from the public education system. Amish schooling concentrates on the basics: reading, writing, and math skills, along with vocational training and socialization in Amish history and values. The Amish also have religious objections to schooling beyond the eighth grade. They feel that higher education can promote ideas that are counter to Christian values. Theories such as evolution are objectionable to the Amish, who take a literal view of the Bible and the Creation story.

After the eighth grade, Amish education moves from the school back into the home and community. Boys may go back to the farm to continue learning agricultural skills, or they may apprentice to Amish shop owners or tradesmen, learning skills that will provide a living for them and their future families. Girls return home to work with their mothers, polishing their homemaking skills. Some may work outside the home for other Amish families or non-Amish ("English") families.

Amish schooling is typically carried out in one-room schoolhouses, built on donated land, with around 30-35 students. The teacher is usually an unmarried Amish woman who also has an eighth-grade education. She teaches all eight grades herself, though she may ask older students to help with the younger ones. The Amish school day typically starts at 8:30 am with a reading from the Bible, the Lord's Prayer, and some hymns. Religion is not taught in school; this is left to the parents and the church. Instead, the Amish stress the basics: reading, math, writing, and penmanship, as well as some history, geography, social studies, art, and science. Students learn three languages in school: Pennsylvania Dutch, High German, and English. Each of these classes is designed to help students be successful in their Amish communities and equip them to do business with the outside world.

Amish children rarely attend public schools

Amish communities usually establish schools that they build on donated farmland. These schools are typically designed to house eight grades in one room or feature a two-room layout with four grades in each, and each room having its own teacher. The school buildings are simple, usually equipped with a modest play yard and outhouses.

The Amish believe that an eighth-grade education is sufficient for life in their society. They emphasise apprenticeship and hands-on learning outside the classroom. They also have concerns over the subject matter taught in high school, including science and sex education.

Amish schooling focuses on basic reading, writing, and math skills, along with vocational training and socialisation in Amish history and values. The school day starts with a prayer, and perhaps a Bible reading. Nothing is taught that would oppose biblical teachings, and no science that conflicts with their views about creation is taught, either.

Amish schools are community-based

The Amish strongly believe in education but only provide formal education through the eighth grade, as they feel this is sufficient for life in their society. Their culture emphasizes hands-on learning outside the classroom, and they have concerns about the subject matter taught in high school, including science and sex education. The Amish also value community, which is why homeschooling is rare among them.

Amish school buildings are simple, typically featuring a one-room or two-room layout, with a modest play area and outhouses. The schools are funded by the Amish themselves, and the community is involved in various aspects of school life. For example, parents may bring hot lunches for the students and participate in holiday programs.

The teachers in Amish schools are typically young unmarried women from the community who have an eighth-grade education themselves. They take on teaching responsibilities for a few years before getting married, and local mothers sometimes fill this role as well. It is uncommon for Amish men to teach, as they are expected to be the main income earners for their families.

Amish teachers are typically young, unmarried women

The teachers are usually young women from the community who are only a few years older than the students themselves. They teach for a few years before getting married, and it is uncommon for men to teach. In some cases, a local mother will take on teaching responsibilities until a young woman is available.

The teachers are responsible for educating students across all eight grades, with older students often assisting with the younger ones. The curriculum includes reading, writing, math, history, geography, social studies, art, and science. Students also learn three languages: Pennsylvania Dutch, High German, and English.

The school day starts with a prayer, a Bible reading, and the singing of hymns. However, religion is not formally taught as a subject, and the Amish community considers it a responsibility of the parents to educate their children in this area. The focus of Amish education is on basic skills and vocational training, with an emphasis on collaboration and cooperation rather than competition.

Amish communities value education but believe that an eighth-grade education is sufficient for life in their society. Formal education ends after the eighth grade, and children then receive training for their adult roles and responsibilities.

Amish schools emphasise basic skills and religious principles

Amish schools are typically one-room schoolhouses, built by the community on donated land. The school day starts with reading a section of the Bible, reciting a prayer, and singing hymns. While religion is considered a responsibility of the parents, the Amish school curriculum emphasises the basics, such as reading, writing, arithmetic, and penmanship. Other subjects taught include history, geography, social studies, art, and science. Students also learn multiple languages, including Pennsylvania Dutch, High German, and English.

The Amish education system is parochial (church-supported) schooling, a form of private schooling that is not funded by the government. Amish schools are governed by boards made up of parents, who hire teachers and set their salaries. Teachers are typically unmarried Amish women with an 8th-grade education, who teach all grades from 1st to 8th. Formal education usually ends after the 8th grade, as the Amish believe this is sufficient to prepare their children for life in their society.

Overall, Amish schools aim to create well-rounded individuals who can contribute to and uphold their unique way of life, emphasising both basic academic skills and religious principles.

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