Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore Founders of Moore Foundation & Moore Academy "Grandfather & Grandmother of Homeschooling"
The Moore Academy is a branch of Moore Foundation, the homeschooling organization begun by Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore as a result of their research on education done in the late 1960's and early 70's. Major universities widely approve the resulting "Moore Formula" educational concept; Dr. Moore has been personally invited to share authorship on more than 35 university textbooks. Dorothy and Dr. Moore have authored many books of their own related to homeschooling.
The Moore Academy is dedicated to assisting parents who wish to educate their children at home. Since that time, thousands of families have been guided in developing their children's learning skills-children who have gone out to excel in colleges across the nation. Now most colleges value homeschooled students for their exemplary character and high achievement. Others have found a place in the work place who could have become part of the "throw-away" generation of children, those whose achievement rate of learning was not equal to the social expectations in their early primary years.
Moore's contribution to education is best known for their emphasis on the philosophy that children, especially boys, need individualized attention, chiefly between the ages of 5 and 10. Even those with high intelligence have many times not reached IML (Integrated Maturity Level) at the same rate as their age mates. Moore Academy does not advocate that they should have no education while they are in this early maturing stage; however, a no-stress approach is urged, with much emphasis on social studies and science, arts and crafts, and music appreciation. We believe phonics can be taught, but without pressure to perform, and with an easy, fun approach that uses learning activities, followed by phonetic readers. Writing is another "pressure-point" that deserves care in instruction. Writing in cornmeal, or sand, sky writing, and lots of dictating to Mom helps to bridge the gap between ability and performance. Math is also taught with lots of hands-on manipulatives, and real-life applications.
To summarize the success of the Moore Formula approach to education: High success comes when close individual attention is paid to the needs of the student, following their interests and allowing them to mature at their own rate, with emphasis on work (for pay), and service (in the home and in the community) with these non-academic learning opportunities receiving equal time to book learning. As the children learn to be diligent in their work application, it has been demonstrated that this diligence caries over into their academic performance as well as they mature.
Moore Academy Staff: (Left to Right) David Brandon (Son of Helen Williams & graduate of Moore Academy), Hope Brandon, Jessica Meisner, Sonja Biggs, Nancy Teale, Emi Church, Kathy Moore Kordenbrock, Dr. Raymond Moore, Dr. Geraldine Stites, Ellen Dana, Pat Wolfswinkle, Chris Price, Helen Williams, and Zinnia Agusto.
Front: Denis Moore and Nancy Santiago - Rear: Betty Lou and Brad Kordenbrock.
This was the last staff photo with Dr. Moore. It was taken in 2002 just shortly after loosing his beloved Dorothy.
Moore Foundation/Moore Academy History:
Helen Williams and Ellen Dana worked for Dr. Moore and helped from the very beginning at Hewitt Research in the mid 1980's prior to Moore Foundation & Moore Academy being created. Both of them consulted and wrote for the Moores for many years. Dr. Geraldine Stites joined in the early 1990's as a consultant for special needs. Dr. Moore appointed Helen Williams as educational director of MA when Dorothy passed in 2002. Ellen lived and continued to work for MA for several years beyond Dr. Moore until she passed away. Helen Williams & Dr. Geraldine Stites have continued working since and have been the pillars of MA. There are many more who have been a part of Moore Academy over the years but were not in this picture including Chris Graham & Ida Ghramm (Chris's daughter) who kept MA alive nearly 15 years after Dr. Moore's passing in 2007. Due to failing health, Chris Graham passed the torch over to David & Hope Brandon beginning in 2022. Chris passed away shortly after. Helen Williams continues as educational director, and the remaining staff are so thankful to have her abundant knowledge and experience leading them.
While a handful are now resting in Jesus, we hold them all the more dear because of the many years of unending devotion they invested in God's true education. Let their devotion mark the importance of this life's mission, to give you this opportunity to train up your child in the way they should go.
"Train up your child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
May we all be faithful till we see them on resurrection morning!