Homeschool Philosophies Quiz

homeschool-philosophies-quiz

Try out our brand new Homeschool Philosophies quiz!  This version has a few philosophies that we revised to give you more accurate results.  We’ve also added in two new philosophies.

Find out how you score with Charlotte Mason Education, Classical Education, Montessori, Project-Based Learning, Reggio-Inspired Learning, Thomas Jefferson Education, Traditional Education, a Unit Studies Approach, an Unschooling Approach, and Waldorf Education.

Share your results in the comments.  Did anything surprise you?  Do you think it is accurate?

To see the previous version, click here.

Great books from history and literature should be used in place of textbooks.

Topical studies are a great way to learn.

Child-led learning is important.

Living books, projects, and activities are preferable to textbooks, workbooks, and worksheets.

Children should design their own curriculum.

Children should have long periods of uninterrupted time for child-led study.

Lessons that can be used with multiple ages and grades are best.

I prefer to purchase grade-level curriculum packages that are planned out for me.

Natural life experiences are where learning truly happens.

The parent's role is to help the child pursue his/her goals and interests.

Instruction should be language-based with little use of screens.

Incorporating many different subjects into one study is preferable.

Creative play should be emphasized in early childhood with no formal learning before age 7.

The parent's role is to inspire the child to learn rather than require him to learn.

Living books are a great tool for learning.

It is important to cultivate wisdom and virtue in our homeschool.

Social responsibility, empathy, creativity, and free thinking are important in my children's education.

Learning should be based on a child's interests.

Learning ideas are more important than memorizing facts.

Parents should model a love for learning, a love for work, a curious nature, and read a lot.

Learning to write clearly and use elegant language is important.

Children will learn when they are ready.

Education should include practical activities like household chores or handcrafts.

Children should redo work until it is excellent.

Education should be driven by a child's interests.

Exploring ideas from great thinkers is important.

Parents should study and read while the child studies and reads.

Learning is best done in larger blocks of time.

Short lessons with focused attention are better than big chunks of time.

Avoiding screens for children who are elementary age or younger is important.

Tests and grades should be given in elementary or middle school.

It is better to study a wide variety of subjects than to focus mainly on reading, writing, and math.

Our learning environment looks like a mini-classroom.

Tests and grades may hinder learning.

Children learn well in multi-age groups.

Topical studies help children make connections between subjects.

Children should spend lots of time outside.

Adults should search out answers together with the child rather than give answers.

Being able to transition into a public or private school classroom is important.

Expression through art and music is important in my homeschool.

A parent's role is to act less like a teacher and more like a mentor to help their children learn.

I want to use curriculum similar to what is used in public or private schools.

The child's learning area needs to be organized and aesthetically pleasing.

Children learn best by doing their own investigations in the world.

Projects are an excellent way to engage in deep, complex learning.

Great works of literature, art, history, and philosophy are important to study.

The parent's role is to facilitate the child's education and not to teach.

Art, music, gardening, and foreign language are important subjects.

Making things is an important part of learning.

Learning is best done in a clutter-free environment filled with natural light.

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294 thoughts on “Homeschool Philosophies Quiz

  1. Score for Charlotte Mason: 17
    Score for Classical Education: 3
    Score for Montessori Education: 13
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 9
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:14
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: -3
    Score for Traditional Education: -14
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 3
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 19
    Score for Waldorf Education: 10
    I noticed a few questions about “classical” sources which to me means white European. I think the quiz may need to be revised to reflect what has been missing (other cultural/ethnic contributions).

  2. Score for Charlotte Mason: 25
    Score for Classical Education: 23
    Score for Montessori Education: 23
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 21
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:23
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 19
    Score for Traditional Education: 8
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 23
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 21
    Score for Waldorf Education: 23

  3. What was the max score we could receive on the type of homeschooling?
    My top 5 were Unit Studies (21), Unschooling (16), Charlotte Mason (15), Reggio-Inspired (15), and Classical (14)… As a former high school special education teacher, I can appreciate learning about all of these different types of education! Thank you for the encouragement towards Eclectic Homeschooling! 🙂

  4. Score for Charlotte Mason: 13
    Score for Classical Education: 16
    Score for Montessori Education: 11
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 6
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:3
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 6
    Score for Traditional Education: -1
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 4
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 11
    Score for Waldorf Education: 16
    Like others, I don’t know much about some of these styles. I tried to read a book on Charlotte Mason once, but got bogged down with it. I use a boxed curriculum for everything but math and am open to finding new math curricula as needed.

  5. My top 3 were Project based learning (23), Charlotte Mason (21) and Unit Studies Approach (17)

  6. Unit Studies 17
    Classical 11
    Charlotte Mason 9

    It’s kind of interesting. I love the way Unit Studies are set up, however I don’t agree the sporadic approach. I do think History, etc, should be studied chronologically like a Classical approach, but I tried a Classical curriculum and it was waaayyyy too much for me. I just recently started looking into the Charlotte Mason approach, and I like a lot of the ways the teaching is done but don’t agree with all of the philosophies. LOL

  7. Score for Charlotte Mason: 9
    Score for Classical Education: 11
    Score for Montessori Education: 3
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 0
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:6
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 12
    Score for Traditional Education: 12
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 8
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 5
    Score for Waldorf Education: 12

  8. So I have 5 as my ‘top’ choice. No wonder choosing curriculum has been so hard for me. Too many choices still!
    Score for Charlotte Mason: 9
    Score for Classical Education: 9
    Score for Montessori Education: 6
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 9
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:6
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 0
    Score for Traditional Education: -9
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 6
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 9
    Score for Waldorf Education: 9

  9. Score for Charlotte Mason: 15
    Score for Classical Education: 17
    Score for Montessori Education: 13
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 7
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:19
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 21
    Score for Traditional Education: 15
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 14
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 10
    Score for Waldorf Education: 8

  10. Your Results:
    Score for Charlotte Mason: 16 
    Score for Classical Education: 6 
    Score for Montessori Education: 10 
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 0 
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:3 
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 7 
    Score for Traditional Education: 4 
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 16 
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 13 
    Score for Waldorf Education: 5 

  11. Score for Charlotte Mason: 11
    Score for Classical Education: 7
    Score for Montessori Education: 15
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 0
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:16
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 0
    Score for Traditional Education: 6
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: -3
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 3
    Score for Waldorf Education: 2

  12. Score for Charlotte Mason: 25
    Score for Classical Education: 23
    Score for Montessori Education: 15
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 6
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:8
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 5
    Score for Traditional Education: -25
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 5
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 18
    Score for Waldorf Education: 20

    It’s pretty accurate.

  13. Score for Charlotte Mason: 17
    Score for Classical Education: 11
    Score for Montessori Education: 10
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 12
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:14
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 6
    Score for Traditional Education: -15
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 14
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 14
    Score for Waldorf Education: 14

    I’ve never heard of some of these and I scored high on them. I guess it is time for me to do some studying. I’ve been homeschooling for 7 years now and have been doing pretty much traditional schooling and that is my lowest, no wondering we have been unhappy with our schooling.

  14. Score for Charlotte Mason: 13
    Score for Classical Education: 25
    Score for Montessori Education: 19
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 21
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:21
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 16
    Score for Traditional Education: -18
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 23
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 16
    Score for Waldorf Education: 18

  15. 1. Charlotte Mason
    2. Unit Studies
    3. Classical Education

    I had no idea that the style I’ve been using that hasn’t been working was the lowest score I got….

  16. Score for Charlotte Mason: 9
    Score for Classical Education: 6
    Score for Montessori Education: 9
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 6
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:9
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 3
    Score for Traditional Education: -9
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 12
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 12
    Score for Waldorf Education: 6

  17. Score for Charlotte Mason: 8
    Score for Classical Education: 4
    Score for Montessori Education: 13
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 21
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:13
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 2
    Score for Traditional Education: -25
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 15
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 23
    Score for Waldorf Education: 15

  18. Oh, dear! Traditional and I are not buddies!
    Score for Charlotte Mason: 14
    Score for Classical Education: 21
    Score for Montessori Education: 21
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 12
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:14
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 15
    Score for Traditional Education: -23
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 19
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 17
    Score for Waldorf Education: 9

  19. Score for Charlotte Mason: 9
    Score for Classical Education: 13
    Score for Montessori Education: 8
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 16
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:18
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 16
    Score for Traditional Education: 21
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 3
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 6
    Score for Waldorf Education: 8

  20. Charlotte Mason (11)
    Classical and Traditional tied for 8
    Unit at 6

    Fascinating and helpful!
    I found it very interesting that I did not appreciate the description of the Classical model, nor has it made any sense to me in terms of the child that needs homeschooling. I think its because although you may identify or not identify with one of the philosophies, there are aspects that relate to the quiz questions that a newbie would not yet know or see. In general, I believe in a Christian private school approach- values are incorporated and modeled through every aspect of school life- but my special needs child with cognitive delays will not succeed in any particular environment and therefore needs creativity and “whatever will work” regardless of my own philosophy!

  21. Unit Studies (always wanted to try), Montessori, Charlotte Mason. I’m about to graduate my oldest of five next year from high school and am just now figuring this all out LOL … definitely some unschooling in there. Makes total sense! How does Montessori work with older kids?

  22. My top 3 were Unit Studies, Classical, and Charlotte Mason. The classical surprised me. The other two I would have told someone I agreed with. Interesting blend of styles that I have incorporated.

  23. Mine are:
    25/25 Unit Studies
    21/25 Charlotte Mason
    19/25 Unschooling

    Traditional is -12 with everything else somewhere between 6 and 15. I have confirmation as to why my style and “shiny new interests/books” swings hard and strong between my top 3. Or a combo of all. I have a problem though with Unit Studies like Five In A Row, as popular as it is, because it lacks the CM approach that I adore but also can make those unschooling days feel very forced. But my CM days feel lacking. My Unit Study Days stunted bc of the lack of creativity I perceive in the program. No point in forcing myself into a Classical hole bc that ain’t happening. I’m also not 100% onboard with a lot of read aloud each days as I get bored and fidgety. My girls learn so much with self exploration of topics and books- why fix what isn’t broke. It’s eclectic all the way.

    1. Your tops and lows were very similar to mine. I scored -14 for traditional LOL I don’t know you’re ages but if you have elementary age to preschool, look into The Playful Pioneer. It is a one room school house but study that goes through the little house on the prairie books and it’s everything I have wanted in a unit study but couldn’t find(we’ve been homeschooling for 11 years). It’s all planned out for you too but has flexibility and awesome hands on stuff that I can actually manage to do. It’s fantastic. They have some other unit studies too.

  24. Top 3 were Unschooling, Charlotte Mason, and Classical! It is EXACTLY how we homeschool! We tend to pull from what we love about each of these philosophies! Awesome quiz! Thank you!

  25. My top 3 were Unit Studies (12), and a time between Unschooling (11) and Reggio (11). Unschooling doesn’t surprise me at all. It’s my dream homeschool. It’s my husband that’s having a problem with the idea of homeschooling even though public school failed him and is failing 2 of his children. I think he’s having trouble letting go of old school notions and is worried about them “falling behind “. I’d like to find a different way for him to see it.

  26. Classical and unit studies tied at 21 with Charlotte Mason at 19. I definitely feel this lines up with the way I teach. Reggio-Inspired came in at 17. I’ve never heard of that before, so I’ll have to look into it.

  27. Score for Charlotte Mason: 21
    Score for Classical Education: 17
    Score for Montessori Education: 21
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 20
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:21

  28. Wow this was interesting for me.

    Score for Charlotte Mason: 16
    Score for Classical Education: 7
    Score for Montessori Education: 9
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 23
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:11
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 10
    Score for Traditional Education: 6
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 17
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 5
    Score for Waldorf Education: -3

  29. Score for Charlotte Mason: 9
    Score for Classical Education: 16
    Score for Montessori Education: 17
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 9
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:17
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 17
    Score for Traditional Education: -5
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 19
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 13
    Score for Waldorf Education: 8

    Not sure. We’re really eclectic. I’m trying to match my kids up with whatever works best for their learning styles.

  30. Pretty much exactly what I thought it would be except I’ve never heard of the Reggio-Inspired or Thomas Jefferson Education styles.

    Score for Charlotte Mason: 14
    Score for Classical Education: 14
    Score for Montessori Education: 8
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 6
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:0
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 12
    Score for Traditional Education: -3
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: -3
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 5
    Score for Waldorf Education: 2

  31. I took this quiz to try to help me figure out what path to take as far as curriculum. This is our first year homeschooling and some of these methods I have never even heard of. So I will be doing some research to keep looking for our fit. Thank you for this it has been helpful in giving me a direction.

    My results:

    Score for Charlotte Mason: 13
    Score for Classical Education: 13
    Score for Montessori Education: 12
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 15
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:15
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: -3
    Score for Traditional Education: 0
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 3
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 8
    Score for Waldorf Education: 8

  32. My Results:
    Looks like I am an eclectic homeschooler with leanings toward unschooling (but we do like our workbooks and Khan Academy!). Not sure what Reggio-Inspired is, might be worth checking out.

    Score for Charlotte Mason: 3
    Score for Classical Education: 11
    Score for Montessori Education: 17
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 16
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:21
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 17
    Score for Traditional Education: -8
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 8
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 21
    Score for Waldorf Education: 10

  33. Score for Charlotte Mason: 6
    Score for Classical Education: 3
    Score for Montessori Education: 6
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 12
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:8
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 3
    Score for Traditional Education: -19
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 6
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 14
    Score for Waldorf Education: 0

    Definitely accurate for us. We tend to lean more toward unschooling and as far away from traditional education as possible. Although I do like using unit studies so I’m a little surprised that it’s so low.

  34. Score for Charlotte Mason: 14
    Score for Classical Education: 19
    Score for Montessori Education: 23
    Score for Project-Based Learning: 21
    Score for Reggio-Inspired:21
    Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 8
    Score for Traditional Education: 3
    Score for Unit Studies Approach: 20
    Score for Unschooling Approach: 14
    Score for Waldorf Education: 7

  35. Reggio and Montessori tied at 19. CM at 18. Interesting thing is, I learned about Montessori when I was in middle school and BEGGED my mother to put me in a Montessori program. Didn’t happen, but I have been a Montessori supporter since that point. My little one is still in nursery school. I am looking at pace book approaches that encourage independent learning. Fixing to go research Reggio 🙂

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