Herzog Foundation Expands Excellence in Christian Education Awards
The Herzog Foundation is proud to announce an expansion of its Excellence in Christian Education program. This year, for the first time, the Foundation is honoring two outstanding homeschool cooperatives—GraceLubbock Homeschool Group in Lubbock, Texas, and Naked Apple Tribe in Northern Virginia—in addition to honoring the 12 Teachers of the Year.
“For three years, we have celebrated teachers working in brick-and-mortar schools established by churches and other organizations,” said Herzog Foundation President Darrell Jones. “In 2024, we’re expanding our recognition to reflect the broader Christian education movement and emerging education models. We’ve witnessed tremendous growth in home education, with the number of students nearly doubling from 2.5 million in 2019 to 4 million in 2024. It’s time to honor the cooperatives that support the millions of parents nationwide who choose to educate their children at home.”
The Herzog Foundation, in collaboration with the Texas Home School Coalition and the Home Educators Association of Virginia, selected these homeschool cooperatives for their rapid growth and dedication to excellence. The 2024 Cooperatives of the Year will join the 2024 Teachers of the Year in Washington, D.C. this fall for a special weekend of professional development and public acknowledgment of their remarkable contributions to Christian education. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting event and the unique accomplishments of each cooperative.
About GraceLubbock Homeschool Group
Founded in 2007 by Jenifer Davidson, GraceLubbock Homeschool Group offers educational and ministry opportunities for homeschooling families in Lubbock, Texas and surrounding areas. The organization aims to support the entire family—from babies to parents— by enhancing parents’ skills as educators and creating connections among families through affordable classes, social events, and other activities throughout the year.
Over the past 17 years, Grace has grown significantly, expanding from 12 children meeting bi-weekly in a library community room to a thriving group of over 450 students who gather weekly. GraceLubbock Homeschool Group is distinguished by its strong sense of community, where families are dedicated to supporting each other and the home education journey.
About Naked Apple Tribe
Founded in 2020 by Ashlee Sharrett, Naked Apple Tribe was created to build a Christ-centered community for homeschooling families in Northern Virginia. Ashlee, a seasoned homeschooling mom, recognized the need for a supportive group that embraced families across all age ranges. Starting with just 10 families and 33 children meeting weekly in a small church, Naked Apple Tribe has rapidly expanded to support nearly 70 families and 170 children in just five years.
Rooted in the belief that Scripture is the living word of God and that parents are the primary educators, Naked Apple Tribe focuses on building cooperative communities that provide a Biblical foundation, foster servant hearts, and embody the hands and feet of Jesus. The organization’s core values—connecting with joy, sheltering with truth and love, serving with wisdom, restoring with hope, and empowering with purpose—drive its mission to foster strong, supportive relationships among its members.
About the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation
The Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation is a charitable foundation dedicated to catalyzing and accelerating the development of quality Christ-centered K-12 education so that families and culture flourish.
Learn more at HerzogFoundation.com.