Back To School For Pagan Children

New clothes, backpack, and notebooks. Some things are the same for all children at the end of the summer. Your pagan child may feel anxious about starting a new school year with a new teacher and more advanced coursework.

As summer winds down and the familiar rhythm of the school year approaches, pagan families face unique considerations that go beyond choosing backpacks and school supplies. Raising pagan children in a predominantly Christian or secular educational environment requires thoughtful preparation, clear communication, and a strong foundation of confidence in your family's beliefs.

I have been a public school teacher, homeschool mom, and a pagan parent over the years. Pagan children sometimes face challenges resulting from their lifestyle and/or religious life. They may face discrimination from other students or sadly even the teacher.

This article discusses how to help your pagan child feel included in school and ways to communicate with the school if your child experiences discrimination.

Getting Ready

There are fun ways to connect your child’s religious experiences with school.

• Start by cleansing and consecrating your child’s school supplies just as you would ritual tools. After all, these are their tools for doing well.

• Shop for a new crystal for them. Let them choose one that speaks to them. Either a tumbled one they can put in their pocket or ones made into a piece of jewelry.

• Buying clothes? Your child may want to get an item of clothing for a certain day. For example, a red shirt for a test, purple for a presentation, or yellow for a creative project.

• Set an intention as a parent, as a family, for a successful school year. Light a candle and reiterate your intention. Or modify the intention to reflect any struggles your child is having.

Preparing Your Pagan Child for the School Environment

The transition back to school can be both exciting and challenging for pagan children who may find themselves as the only practitioners of their faith in their classroom or school. Building confidence and resilience in your child begins long before the first day of school.

Start by having open, age-appropriate conversations about what makes your family's spiritual path special and beautiful. Help your child understand that diversity in beliefs is natural and valuable, just like diversity in cultures, languages, and traditions. Encourage them to take pride in their heritage while also respecting others' beliefs.

Create a "spiritual toolkit" that your child can carry with them mentally throughout the day. This might include simple breathing exercises, visualizations of protective light, or quiet affirmations that connect them to their spiritual center. Consider providing a small, discrete charm or piece of jewelry that serves as a physical reminder of their spiritual strength and family support.

Practice scenarios that might arise at school through role-playing. What will they say if someone asks about their religion? How will they respond if invited to pray in a way that conflicts with their beliefs?

Having rehearsed responses helps children feel more confident and less caught off-guard by unexpected situations. This can be especially important with middle schoolers who may be especially sensitive to peers comments or questions.

Honor A God or Goddess of Learning and Education

You can set up a place on your family altar to honor a god or goddess of education. Leave an offering for them and ask for their blessing on the child’s school year.

• Apollo - Greek God of education, music, and sports

• Fabulinus - Roman god who taught children to speak

• Odin - the Norse All-Father, sacrificed his eye for wisdom and hung himself from the World Tree to gain knowledge of the runes. His dedication to learning at any cost serves as a powerful reminder that true knowledge often requires sacrifice and dedication. He also loved poetry.

• Ogma - Irish/Scottish God who invented the Ogham alphabet

• Minerva - Roman goddess of wisdom and learning.

• Qui Xing - Chinese god of examinations

• Thoth - Egyptian god of wisdom, writing, and judgment, is particularly relevant for students. As the divine scribe, Thoth understands the power of the written word and the importance of clear communication. Students struggling with writing assignments or communication challenges might find strength in connecting with Thoth's energy.

This fascinating Egyptian god has a lot to teach us!

Rights of Pagan Students

First things first. Pagan students have the same right to an education as Christian students or any other religion. Sadly in many states such as Texas, Louisiana, or Oklahoma, parents may have to assert these rights.

Also current changes under the Trump administration are affecting many areas including school budgets, inclusion, and the quality of teachers.

All students in a public school in America (currently) have equal access to education. The Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 gave all children access to an education regardless of sex, color, or national origin.

Knowledge is power, and understanding your child's constitutional rights is essential for any pagan parent. The First Amendment protects your child's right to practice their religion freely, and this extends into the school environment in several important ways.

The US Constitution requires that all kids be given equal educational opportunity no matter what their race, ethnic background, religion, or sex, or whether they are rich or poor, citizen or non-citizen. Even if you are in this country illegally, you have the right to go to public school.

The 14th Amendment “The Equal Access Law” requires public schools to provide all students a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This was geared toward students with disabilities but also includes students from minority cultures and religions.

Your child has the right to express their religious beliefs through speech and symbolic expression, as long as it doesn't disrupt the educational environment. This means they can wear pentacles, talk about their beliefs with peers, and decline to participate in activities that conflict with their religious convictions.

Schools cannot discriminate against students based on their religious beliefs or lack thereof. This includes grading, disciplinary actions, and participation in school activities.

Documentation

If you do feel your child is experiencing discrimination then you need to document. Documentation helps you recall and explain the incident with more professionalism and quite frankly legal clarification.

When documenting the incident write down the date, location, who was involved, a detailed description of the incident, who you communicated with, and what was the response. While you will naturally feel emotional it’s best to write the documentation from an objective point of view.

If you have a conflict communicate by email. That way you have a paper trail of your communication. If you speak to the school via the phone document the conversation.

Communicating With Schools

Establish relationships with your child's teachers and administrators. Introduce yourself at the beginning of the year and briefly explain your family's spiritual path. Most educators are respectful of religious diversity when approached with openness and respect.

If you have an elementary-aged student it’s always best to communicate with your child’s teacher at the beginning of the year. Just a quick summary of what pagan practices you follow and your beliefs.

Young children often express the religious views of their family without filters and don’t realize other students may have different beliefs. One of the benefits of a free public education system is that children have the opportunity to learn about others in different cultures.

If you have a conflict with the school…

Communicate with the principal and the teacher under the premise that they care for your child’s well-being and educational success. View your child’s teachers as partners and allies. I can tell you that I much preferred it when a parent stated they are upset with me and explains why.

When conflicts do occur, start with direct, respectful communication. Schedule a meeting with your child's teacher to discuss specific concerns. Come prepared with documentation of your child's rights and suggested alternatives to problematic activities or proximity to another student who may be bullying.

If the teacher is unresponsive or hostile, escalate to the principal or assistant principal. Many conflicts can be resolved at this level when approached professionally and with clear documentation of your concerns and your child's rights.

Educate the school. Offer to celebrate a pagan holiday with your child’s class if they are in elementary or bring in a special food.

Teens - Have a plan to articulate your beliefs

Talk to your teens about ways they can articulate their beliefs. In addition, make sure your teens know they do not have to share their religious beliefs with others if they don’t want to.

For middle school children, you might address the fact that the curriculum studies and honors many famous pagans.

Yule and Imbolc are good holidays to explain since they have a common “heritage” with Christmas and Easter. Feel free to send them a link to our article Do Pagans Celebrate Christmas?!

While your family is part of a minority religion, you are not alone. Paganism is on the rise.

Creating Positive School Experiences

While it's important to be prepared for challenges, don't let concerns overshadow the many positive aspects of your child's educational experience. Afterall, the majority of their school experience will be focused on reading and math.

Focus on building bridges rather than walls, and help your child see school as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Encourage your child to participate in school activities that align with your values. Many schools offer community service projects, environmental clubs, or cultural awareness programs that resonate with pagan values of earth stewardship and social justice.

Look for opportunities to share your family's traditions in appropriate ways. During units on world religions or cultural celebrations, offer to provide information about pagan traditions. Many teachers appreciate authentic cultural resources from community members.

Help your child develop strong study habits and academic skills. Academic success builds confidence and earns respect from teachers and peers, creating a positive foundation for addressing any religious concerns that might arise.

Pagan’s Homeschooling

Homeschooling has seen a tremendous increase over the past twenty years. Not only is it no longer in the closet but libraries, zoos, sports organizations, and more make specific events geared towards homeschoolers. It can be a great avenue for pagan families.

Homeschooling offers unique opportunities for pagan families to integrate their spiritual beliefs seamlessly into their children's education while maintaining complete control over curriculum choices and daily practices.

Homeschooling can give families the ability to literally make nature their classroom as well as their spiritual path. You can choose your own curriculum and social events.

However, homeschooling is not for everyone. Homeschooling means one family member needs to be at home with the kids which may be economically unfeasible. You may also feel you don’t have the skills or patience to be their teacher.

It can also be hard to find a local like-minded homeschooling group. Homeschooling is still dominated by Christians, many of whom are fundamentalists. On a positive note, many more open and secular groups of homeschoolers have formed around the country.

Supporting Your Child's Spiritual Growth

Remember that your child's education doesn't stop at the school doors. Create regular opportunities for education, expression, and discussion at home.

Encourage your child to ask questions about their experiences at school and how they relate to your family's spiritual path. These conversations help children develop critical thinking skills and deepen their understanding of pagan beliefs.

Allowing children to learn about other pagan and world religions will help them to develop open mind sets and be open to meeting new people.

Building Community and Support

No family should navigate these challenges alone. Seek out other pagan families in your area through local pagan groups, online communities, or spiritual gatherings. Children benefit enormously from knowing they're not alone in their beliefs and from having peers who share their spiritual path.

Consider organizing study groups or educational activities with other pagan families. This creates positive social experiences while reinforcing your child's spiritual identity and academic skills.

Stay connected with your child's school community while maintaining your spiritual integrity. Attend school events, volunteer when possible, and build relationships with other families. The more integrated you are in the school community, the easier it becomes to address any concerns that arise.

Resources

Lady Liberty League

I’m proud to say this organization is run out of my state, Wisconsin by Circle Sanctuary. This volunteer organization supports religious freedom for Pagans, Wiccans, and other Nature religion practitioners worldwide.

American Civil Liberties Union

The ACLU is a national non-profit organization that works to protect the rights of ALL people. They work to educate about the rights of all persons regardless of race, sexual orientation, or religion … They also take on and fund litigation for some discrimination cases. They are funded by donations and grants.

Celebrate Pagan Holidays

Our work is more geared towards education. While we are primarily a resource by pagans, for pagans, we also want to provide quality information to the general public.

Author, Ame Vanorio is the founder of CPH, a lifelong pagan, and a licensed teacher in biology, environmental science, and special education.