CHESS Membership Eligibility Criteria

Membership in the CHESS organization is offered and granted to "home schooling parents".  According to CHESS Bylaws, Article 8, Section 2, for the purposes of CHESS membership, the definition of a “home schooling parent” is any parent or legal guardian who directs and conducts the education of their children at home.  Such parents or legal guardians are eligible for membership provided they are directly involved in their student’s education in one of the following ways:

(a) by selecting the home school curriculum, or

(b) by selecting and/or approving course materials and study schedules, or

(c) by selecting tutors, co-op classes, teachers, dual enrollment options, and/or other educational resources.

CHESS does not endorse or reject any specific curriculum.  The choice of curriculum is at the discretion of the parent, provided the education is conducted at home, and the parent retains the right to modify the curriculum. 

Parents who enroll their children full-time in any type of traditional “brick-and-mortar school” are not eligible for membership.  This includes, but is not limited to, public schools, private schools, Christian schools, and charter schools.  Part-time students at brick-and-mortar schools must receive at least 51% of their education from parent directed education conducted at home. 

In situations where a parent’s eligibility is unclear or does not clearly fall within these guidelines, the governing board reserves the right to review the circumstances and make a final determination regarding membership eligibility on a case-by-case basis.