Alabama Homeschool History Timeline

Take a look into those early homeschool families and see that even in the beginning socialization wasn't really a problem, but those parents were having many of the same struggles we still do in confidence. Catching up with this family recently has shown all the many successes they have achieved both in work and family. (Coming Soon: Where are they now!)
The Dothan Eagle Dothan, Alabama Thu, May 09, 1991

The Atchison Family was at the forefront, boots on the ground, fighting for our rights to homeschool in the early 80s, this fast-forward article reminds us how far we have come, and the very real fears that were starting to ease. (Coming Soon: Where are they now!)
The Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery, Alabama Sat, Nov25, 1995

A group of passionate parents began lobbying the Alabama legislature for equal access to public school sports programs for homeschooled students.

Olivia Benton Davis, the first Azalea Trail Maid selected from the Homeschool Community. Not only did she take a path unknown to homeschoolers before, but she was voted by her Trail Maid peers to receive the Spirit Award, which is the highest honor given to one Trail Maid each year.
Olivia was a Trail Maid in 2011-2012 and was thrilled to have an opportunity to serve as an ambassador to the city of Mobile. It was also an amazing opportunity for her to represent the growing homeschool community at large. However, this opportunity was made available to homeschoolers in recent years only because of a few dedicated homeschool advocates who worked for years to open the door for homeschoolers.
Olivia continues to represent the homeschool community well, as she attended the University of Mobile on a Presidential Scholarship, majored in Art and Graphic Design, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Currently, Olivia is thriving as a professional employed in the creative field as the lead graphic designer for Chic Soul Inc. She is happily married to another successful homeschool graduate, Alex Davis, who is a current PhD candidate in Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University.

Homeschool parents began walking the halls of the Alabama State House in a shoe-leather campaign. For the first time, their “Tebow bill” made its way to the Senate floor for debate. Unfortunately, after about 3 hours of early morning discussion, senators decided to carry this bill over, which, in effect, killed the bill. Because of this, the House of Representatives chose to do the same with their version of the bill when it finally made its way to the House floor. However, the sponsor of the bill promised to continue the conversation in the next session and challenged members to get on board.
Some of the opposition: article

Homeschooler, Paul Holmes, was named to the “All-State Orchestra.”
The Dothan Eagle Dothan, Alabama Wed, Apr 23, 2014

Wiregrass Jr Civitan hosted its charter ceremony at The Vineyard in Arriton. This program is still active today!
The Enterprise Ledger Enterprise, Alabama Tue, Jan 27, 2015

Her favorite part about being an Oakleigh Belle was meeting all of the wonderful girls and making lifelong friendships. Zelda states, “Being an Oakleigh Belle was one of the most rewarding and greatest high school experiences I could have ever had, and as sad as I am to leave, I am so excited to give my spot to a new girl who can experience and learn just as I have in this wonderful program.”
This fall, Zelda will be attending the University of Mobile where she will be serving as the first-ever freshman President of the Honors College. She was awarded the Founder’s Merit scholarship and is planning to double major in Communications and Sociology with a minor in French.
*Oakleigh Belle Leadership program is now the Mobile Belle's Leadership Program

218 homeschool students enrolled in public school sports under the NEW AHSAA bylaws for the first semester.

In 2018, schools aiming for bicentennial school recognition had the opportunity to create a proposal focusing on community outreach and improvement initiatives that linked their classrooms with local communities. These efforts were intended to cultivate an appreciation for the essential role of civic engagement in building a robust community and state. A maximum of 200 schools could be chosen as Alabama Bicentennial Schools. These selected schools would also be awarded a $2,000 grant to support the successful execution of their bicentennial projects and activities.
FIVE homeschool groups across the state were chosen as Bicentennial schools Erin's Gulf Coast Homeschool Adventures, the home education program at the Mobile Museum of Art, and Faith Community Christian School (FCCS) are three of them!!
Erin's Gulf Coast Adventures won a spot for their proposal to help build a community garden with Feeding the Gulf Coast!
Mobile Museum of Art Homeschool program-based proposal, Recycled and Upcycled Mobile, would create civic and community engagement by partnering with the City of Mobile, Mobile Baykeeper, and local artists to create art out of recycled material.
Faith Community Christian School (FCCS)

Hannah Colson, daughter of Michael and Heather Colson, is a Lavender Mobile Azalea Trail Maid at Moffett Road Christian School (a homeschool church school).
Extracurricular activities include: Summer Scrubs, Cottage Hill Junior Civitan Club, Ronald McDonald House volunteer, Camp M.A.S.H. Jr. Counselor, Mobile Special Olympics Athlete Chaperone, USA Children's and Women's volunteer Pianist, Light of the Village Ministries, SPL Girl's Club, Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, Prodisee Pantry, Feeding the Gulf Coast, USA Dept. Of Archaeology Old St. Stephen's Excavation Project, Alabama Coastal Cleanup, Mobile County Public Works, Mobile Baykeeper Fowl River Preservation Project, Goodwill Easter Seals Sustainability Programs, Mississippi State University Vet Aspire Program, Mobile SPCA volunteer, American Legion Auxiliary Junior Member, and Historic Mobile Preservation Society Member.
Honors and Awards include AP/Honors classes, Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholars, Youth Leadership Mobile Class of 2018, Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Krewe Ambassador, National Leadership Forum Delegate, 2017-2018 VP Cottage Hill Junior Civitan, 2018-2019 President Cottage Hill Junior Civitan, Alabama West Florida District Lt. Governor Junior Civitan International (Area 4), Junior Civitan of the Year Award, Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award recipient, and 2018 John Simpson Scholarship recipient.

If you are at Bellingrath and see the bat boxes they were her Eagle Scout project! This Alabama Homeschooler becomes the first female Eagle Scout in the Mobile Area Council Boy Scouts of America. She is the 5th female to achieve the rank in Alabama!

Catherine Simpson, daughter of Jenifer and Charlie Simpson, is a 2020/2021 Peach Azalea Trail Maid from Compass Point Christian Homeschool. Catie's extracurricular activities include being a member of the Mobile City/County Youth Council, Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America), Order of the Arrow (Scouting's National Honor Society dedicated to service to others), Order of the Arrow Lodge Treasurer 2019-2020, Order of the Arrow Section SR-1B Secretary 2020-2021, Historic Mobile Preservation Society, Debate Society, Key Club, Playing Ukulele, and Blogging.
Catie has volunteered with the following organizations: Bellingrath Gardens, Woody’s Song (school for special needs children), the Mobile Museum of Art, the Animal Welfare Coalition, AIDS Alabama South, the Weeks Bay Foundation, and One Meal Food Pantry. Catie has achieved the following honors and awards: Eagle Scout, member of the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts, 2020 Alabama Outstanding Homeschool Student, Honor Roll, National Society of High School Scholars, Brotherhood Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow (Scouting's National Honor Society), Sons of the American Revolution General Galvez Chapter Eagle Scout Award Recipient, God and Life Award 2020, Co-Host of the 2019 Metro-Mobile Golden Eagle Dinner, Host of the 2020 Mobile Area Council Banquet.
Catie is currently undecided on where she will be attending college, but is planning on pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, and then earning a Master's degree in Public Policy.

Lydia is starting her Junior year (2024-2025) as a homeschooler and her second year as a Mobile Belle. She absolutely loves sharing and preserving the history of Mobile, AL, and specifically, the interesting details of the Richards D.A.R. museum. Learning about the wonderful historic details of this house and sharing it with visitors from both near and far has been exciting for her. Lydia's love of
history started with reading historical fiction and migrated into involvement in the Mobile Bay Society Children of the American Revolution. The C.A.R. does community service and promotes historical preservation and leadership. Lydia served as secretary of the Mobile Bay Society from 2019 -2021 then Vice President from 2022 - 2023 and is the current President of the local society. She is also the State Librarian for the Alabama C.A.R. program. Lydia's other main focus is riding horses. She takes lessons at Rawhide Trail Farm and helps children with physical or learning difficulties experience with therapeutic horseback riding. Lydia is working for her second summer as a lifeguard for the City of Chickasaw Pool. Her favorite treat all year round is heading to Yellowhammer Coffee to try a seasonal special.