Feature Family

Meet the Jones Family

Emily Jones and her family live in Crystal, Minnesota, where she and her husband Evan, who works full time outside the home, are raising their three boys: Briggs (11), Griffin (9), and Whitaker (7). The Jones family spends much of their time outdoors together. Briggs is an avid fisherman who has won competitions and loves sharing that passion with his dad, Evan, a boat captain.  All the boys enjoy hunting trips to South Dakota, fall harvests with extended family, and tubing, biking, and running are woven into their family traditions. “At this stage of life, our kids’ hobbies are our hobbies,” Emily shared.

Emily’s home-education journey began during the pandemic, when Briggs was in kindergarten. With no background in homeschooling, she felt unsure at first, but virtual learning opened her eyes to new possibilities. As she explored options, she discovered Venture Upward and spent several years learning about the program before taking the leap. “I wanted someone to walk beside me,” she said. “I wanted confidence.”

That support is exactly what she found. Emily values the flexibility Venture Upward provides, whether following the curriculum path, teaching some materials herself, or blending both through the portfolio option. Her boys’ learning often weaves together reading, writing, science, and social studies in meaningful ways. “It’s been fun to see how our own ideas and Learning Labs really marry together,” Emily shared.

This year, the family is participating in the pilot field trip program, which has become a highlight of their learning. Experiences like the Bell Museum and the Eagle Center spark ongoing conversations and hands-on exploration back at home. Emily also values the community of connecting with other parents, sharing ideas, and learning together.

For the Jones family, flexibility is the greatest gift of home education. “I don’t know of another program that offers this level of support,” Emily said. “My teacher of record is phenomenal, and it feels like I have people in my corner who truly want us to succeed.”