Advocates For Home Education in Massachusetts Inc

I am the president of the MA Assoc. for Gifted Education. Many people in MA homeschool because our schools do not have sufficiently challenging and individualized learning such that a bright, gifted, or student with strong potential, can thrive and be academically nourished. When I talk to parents about the homeschooling options they have I ALWAYS tell them to look at AHEM because they have all of the information they need both ideas for homeschooling itself and legal topical information. They are also a strong support group for homeschooling families and provide information on ways to get children together. I hold AHEM in the highest regard.

We felt very isolated as home schoolers in MA. I’m so grateful for the connections I have made for my children through AHEM!

AHEM is an integral part of the homeschool experience in MA. They have a well-organized website, with tons of advice and templates, references to groups, and a MA history curriculum! Most new homeschoolers are referred to them. They also keep tabs on legislation and alert members to changes and challenges to homeschool laws, have seeded homeschool coops, hold fall festivals showcasing homeschool crafts and skills, host how-tos and other events throughout the year and throughout the state. We're lucky to have them!

AHEM plays a most critical role in the homeschool community. Without exception, every new homeschooling family needs tailored guidance and support. AHEM has all the answers, resources and support to help transform a very overwhelming task into smooth sailing. My family and I are ever so grateful for the efforts of the selfless and capable volunteers of AHEM!

I am a Homeschool Mom and the Director of an enrichment program for Homeschoolers. The AHEM team has been good enough to facilitate workshops and Q&A sessions with us on a yearly basis! I refer all of our families to them and have used the website personally on multiple occasions. AHEM is the "Go-To" source for all inquiries or issues. They are always willing to lend an ear, answer questions, refer us to samples (which is so great to have a reliable source to trust with so much garbage on the net!). They also seem willing to go to bat for people who need help or encounter district problems! The level of support is unparalleled in Massachusetts. The families behind the AHEM organization understand the true meaning of "Community" and further more, they understand our homeschool community's very specific needs. Keep up the great work- bc in doing so- you allow individual families and providers to do great work, as well...

I have been a member of AHEM for a number of years, ever since I was homeschooling my son, who is now 29 years old. During my homeschooling years , AHEM was always an important source of homeschooling information and trustworthy news updates about homeschooling in Massachusetts. I continue to be a member , supporting this continually strong website, so crucial for Massachusetts homeschooling families!

Great group. Very informative and helpful. Homeschooling families are lucky to have AHEM.

We moved to MA from Asia 3 years ago when my son was 6 years old. I was running a home based autism program for him back home. I knew nothing about homeschooling in the U.S. and felt lost.
I remembered reading about AHEM a year or two back from an article my friend shared on her Facebook about a homeschool mom in MA and her daughters. I looked up AHEM and got to an introductory meeting they held that summer. The meeting was inspiring and encouraging. I stayed and talked to both speakers after the meeting, and it was as if I glimpsed some light in the tunnel.
I started working on my son's education plan after the meeting. I looked up the AHEM advocate in my county and consulted her about the submission process. (At the time I did not even know who the "superintendent" and what his role was, not to mention where his office was located!) My AHEM advocate was very kind and helpful. I asked her to proofread my education plan, for English is not my first language. When my education plan was rejected the first time I went back to consult her. We worked it out, and finally things fall into their places.
After the first year things got easier, but there would be times that you need some kind of cheering up along the way. AHEM helps me stay connected through various activities and meetings and online tips & info. I also consult my advocated yearly regarding our progress report and new education plan.
This year will be my fourth year homeschooling my son here in MA. He is now 10 years old and doing wonderfully. He is thriving in every aspects. Hadn't it been the help of AHEM I would most likely have given up our home based autism program for him. Today we are able to find a nice balance in our life, and we owe so much to AHEM. Thank you so much, again.

Great organization. Offers indispensable help to homeschoolers, and wonderful people to work with, too!

As someone who is just starting to navigate the homeschool waters, it is beyond overwhelming. Discovering AHEM felt like a great sigh of relief! The support and resources they offer are beyond helpful and I am so grateful to know I have somewhere to turn when I’m lost or confused by all the questions that come with homeschooling.

I attended an AHEM workshop on homeschooling when I was considering homeschooling my daughter seven years ago. Milva led the discussion and I have to say it was life-changing. The information provided and the support offered by AHEM, to this day, has been indispensable to me and my family. We are now homeschooling our second child and still rely on the essential information that AHEM offers. Thank you, AHEM!

The best resource for home education families in the Boston area. Outstanding website and invaluable resources.

We have recently moved in to Massachusetts and had very little time to research ways to account for my child education as he wanted to try a non-traditional academic program. It was helpful to have AHEM as a resource as we navigate the homeschooling community in this state. Thank you!

One of our children was home/non-traditionally schooled. One of the pain points quickly became how find out about resources and, frankly, discounts that schools and teachers normally get.

For us a big thing was around public transit - if you go to a private school in Boston they arrange for student T-passes. AHEM put is in touch with the right group at the MBTA, and the right forms to fill out, so that getting our daughter to her Boston based programs was possible.

All in all a fabulous organization with a laser focus on advocating for home schoolers!

When we were starting the exciting and challenging homeschool journey, AHEM was also starting out. We found their volunteer staff to be a perfect amalgam of experience, encouragement, and sensitivity. They were never pushy or ideological, always thoughtful, generous, and encouraging. We're very grateful for their support when we needed it. It has been a pleasure also to see the organization grow and mature in the years since. They play a unique and always constructive role in the landscape of families creating non-traditional educational settings. Wonderful organization.

AHEM is an essential organization to bring all things homeschool under one umbrella. They advocate for homeschoolers on the state political level, educated people about what it means to homeschool and gather homeschoolers for support and information. Homeschoolers in Massachusetts are very fortunate to have AHEM looking out for their best interests.

Advocates for Home Education (AHEM) is an amazing women (mother!) powered organization that flawlessly and professionally supports my family's homeschool journey. Thank you, AHEM!

Very helpful with accurate information about homeschooling in the state of Massachusetts! We highly recommend AHEM as a resource.

AHEM is full of intelligent, knowledgeable, experienced generous people - ready to receive phone calls, and reach out to fellow homeschoolers with smart help and kind support. Really a remarkable group of volunteers.

Tell your story here and help others understand this charity AHEM provides compassionate, no-nonsense support and information to those interested in homeschooling, those who are actively homeschooling, and helps those who are no longer homeschooling stay in touch with homeschooling issues. They sponsor fabulous field trips and informational evenings, are passionate about what they do, and if they don't know the answer they will find someone who does. This organization is a life-line to homeschoolers everywhere, as the work it does has relevance beyond MA borders.

Before taking the plunge into home schooling I felt a good deal of trepidation about my ability to pursue this course of action. Through the AHEM website I was able to read (and understand) the applicable law, calm my fears with regard to letters of intent, educational plans and evaluation protocols, and proceed with confidence. The site is well organized, well maintained, easy to navigate, and instrumental in providing accurate and up-to-date information. It is also an excellent resource for connecting to other home schoolers and for researching future options.

AHEM provides fantastic information to would-be and current homeschoolers in MA, including watching legislative and administrative maneuvers that can affect homeschooling. They also provide social events and networking that enhance any family's homeschooling.

So helpful with support, resources, and instruction for homeschooling. I have been working through the process of deciding to remove my children from the public schools and have gained so much help and support to make this huge decision.

AHEM is a very friendly, knowledgeable and accessible resource for homeschooling in MA. I highly recommend them to anyone homeschooling in MA>

I appreciate all the time and effort in their explanations of the homeschooling laws here in MA to make them understandable to new homeschoolers as well as for education professionals. AHEM is an online resource I send people to all the time. I also appreciate the ongoing survey of homeschooling practices district by district.

I can always depend on AHEM's website for important information and answers to questions about homeschooling in MA. The resources provided helped me to figure out how to write my education plans and progress reports. I always refer new homeschoolers to AHEM when they ask for advice.

The AHEM website has a remarkable amount of accurate and helpful information. The County Contact for my area has always answered my emails and phone calls promptly and provided relevant information to answer my questions. I also appreciate the yearly questionnaire, the results of which give us a sense of the overall homeschooling climate in our state.

I regularly refer new members of our support group, Western Mass Catholic Homeschoolers to the AHEM website for answers to their questions. Whether it is getting started, understanding the law or finding a support group when moving this is the best place. I use their articles often as resources or as examples in our newsletter why families should know about this site and use it. I also sent their information to our superintendent when we were working on improving our city's response to homeschoolers.

AHEM helped me to have the confidence and resources I needed to start homeschooling my sons. I check on their site regularly for updates, activities and new developments. I am grateful for their continued support and information.

AHEM arrived on the scene as our kids were nearing the end of their homeschool experience and moving on to college, but in the light of our own experiences, and from all communications we have had with them, it is clear that this organization is a wonderful resource for any family considering or engaged in homeschooling in Massachusetts. They have assembled an invaluable database of how individual towns across the Commonwealth interact with homeschooling families, what documentation is required, etc. They carefully monitor any legislation that could impact homeschoolers and work constructively with legislators to assure that constitutional protections are maintained. They also organize cultural events, museum and theater trips, presentation, history tours, meetings with legislators, and social gatherings, including an alternative "prom", and college prep workshops. In short, through all of these efforts, they are enhancing the sense of community and enriching the experiences of homeschoolers throughout Massachusetts. This is an organization truly worth of support.

AHEM provides essential information related to homeschooling resources and advocacy, and also sponsors wonderful events for the community, both educational as well as social. I only wish that I had more time to donate to the homeschooling community, beyond the occasional field trip or workshop that I have helped to organize, or participate in with my family. I rely on AHEM to point me in the right direction quite often, and am grateful for all of their dedication and hard work.

AHEM was an amazing resource for when I was considering homeschooling. Their comprehensive website provide the information I was looking for and got me connected with other homeschoolers. Our family is so happy that we decided to homeschool and for the help AHEM provided to help us decide to do it.

Over this past year, I have found some of AHEM’s activities to be especially energizing. I enjoyed very much making connections and learning from other MA homeschoolers during the Salon Series; I was gratified at the great amount of enthusiasm for our bookfair fundraiser, and inspired as always by the displays and performances of MA homeschool students; and most recently reminded again of how important our work of providing information on this education option is by the huge interest in our Getting Started Homeschooling and Homeschooling High School to College workshops. Looking forward to similar events in the future, as well as State House Day next spring!