The idea of Home & School came to Nova Scotia by way of Mrs. Alexander Graham Bell.

Having settled with her husband in Baddeck, in 1885, the Bell 's found themselves very interested in the activities of the local school. They were not alone. It was soon established that once a week, mothers would gather at the schoolhouse to discuss matters concerning the welfare of their children. Teachers before long began to speak with the parents about schoolhouse and educational needs, gaining their support before going to the local school trustees. Parents had influence over the education system. They still do.

In 1895, Mrs Bell helped create by-laws, organize, and name the first Home & School organization in Canadian history, “The Parents' Association of Baddeck.” The Home & School Movement in Canada was not confined to Nova Scotia , however. Across the country, parents began to see the need to influence the current education system at the local level. Then, looking for lasting educational reform, it became obvious that Provincial and National structures were needed. Across Canada , Provincial Home & School Organizations began to form.

The Home and School Movement was not limited to North America . Indeed it was international, as evidenced by the World Federation of Education Associations meeting in 1927. Representatives from various countries, interested in the Home & School Movement, converged in Toronto . For Canadians it marked the birth of the Canadian National Federation of Home & Schools. For the world it resulted in the organization of the International Home & School Federation, with eleven member countries.

Instrumental to the Home & School Movement was Nova Scotian, Loran DeWolfe. DeWolfe, a leading educator and educational reformer, sought to increase parent / teacher influence at the local level, through the creation of strong provincial and national substructures. His thoughts being that these larger organizations would offer direction, assistance, and support for local groups. The local organizations would in turn operate in close co-operation with the teachers. Thus, in 1935 the Nova Scotia Federation of Home & School Associations was born.

DeWolfe's commitment to the Home & School Movement, both provincially and nationally, continued through his life and even after death. DeWolfe remembered the NSFHSA in his will and allocated a small portion of the trust interest to be given to the Federation each year.

The NSFHSA honours this great reformer by bestowing the LA DeWolfe Award on deserving educators who recognize the importance of Home & Schools in the education system.

More information about L A DeWolfe: “Loran Arthur DeWolfe and the Reform of Education in Nova Scotia 1892-1959, ” by Jane Margaret Norman.