Founder of Moore Foundation & Moore Academy
Known as the grandfather of the homeschooling movement
Death of Homeschooling Pioneer
Dr. Raymond S. Moore
Dr. Raymond S. Moore, author of Better Late than Early, the book that launched the modern homeschooling movement in the United States, passed away on July 13, 2007, at the age of 91.
Moore’s book grew out of an article first published in Harper’s in 1972, at the time when California was considering a law to make school compulsory for children as young as 2 years, 9 months. The article was republished by Reader’s Digest where it was so popular, the editors requested a book. With his wife Dorothy (deceased) he wrote many books on education and other subjects.
His educational career began as a teacher, principal and superintendent of California public schools. During World War II he served on General MacArthur’s staff. After completing his PhD in Education at the University of Southern California, he held the positions of academic dean and president of numerous Seventh-day Colleges in the United States, Japan, and the Philippines. The United States Office of Education then invited him to be a higher education program officer.
But it was the research that he compiled about the effects of schooling on young children that steered his career away from higher education and into homeschooling. He and his wife Dorothy spent years working with legislatures and courts to establish legal precedents for parents desiring to homeschool their children. Dr. Moore was the world’s foremost expert witness in homeschooling appearing in courts as far away as South Africa, West Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as Canada and the United States. The Moores were strong believers in the educational principles of head, heart, and hand laid out by Seventh-day Adventist Pioneer Ellen G. White. This philosophy of balancing service, work, and study became known as the Moore Formula in homeschooling circles.
He is survived by his wife Bernice Reid Moore, brother Charles and two sisters Loraine Webster and Helena Reid; son Dennis Moore; daughter Kathie Moore Kordenbrock, her husband Bruce and three sons; daughter Mari Tokizaki Lim, her husband Paul and two children; and numerous other “chosen” children.
"We invite everyone to search our site for an exciting adventure in learning. Our bookstore contains valuable Christian resources with character building values to help families in nurturing their children in the admonition of the Lord."
While taking into consideration the readiness and interests of the child, our educational counselors work closely with each parent to prepare a personalized curriculum for their student. Our goal is to nurture the seeds of uniqueness within each child. Moore Academy students mature in wisdom and personal growth through a program unlike any other. We are proud to present to the world, students who can think for themselves and be leaders for God.
See also Moore's Memoriam