Homeschooling Through High School (It’s Easier Than You Think)

According to statistics published by the National Center for Education Statistics, 5.4% of children were homeschooled during 2020-2021. The number of homeschooled children has been steadily rising over the course of the last several decades; and yet, many parents and students still harbor a lot of hesitancy around the idea of homeschooling. 

 

If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Should I homeschool my child/myself?” or “How difficult is homeschooling?“, we can help. Here, we’ll discuss the advantages and misconceptions of homeschooling, who is a good candidate for homeschooling, and more. 

Debunking Myths About Homeschooling

There are a lot of lingering negative stereotypes and misconceptions about homeschooling. Common misconceptions about homeschool programs include concerns that a child won’t get enough opportunities to socialize, fear that homeschool curriculum won’t adequately prepare them for college or a job, lack of confidence in parents’ ability to teach their children, belief that homeschooled children are socially awkward or come from fundamentalist backgrounds, and worry that students won’t succeed without access to in-person instruction and resources.

 

Many of these misgivings are unfounded. While it’s true that homeschooling may not be the best choice for everyone, earning a homeschool diploma is often much easier than people think.  What’s more, homeschooled students have the potential to be just as successful as anyone else. According to a review conducted by the Institute of Education Sciences, multiple studies found that homeschooled students were just as likely to succeed in college as their publicly or privately schooled peers—sometimes even more so. 

 

As proof, the world is full of successful (even famous) people who were homeschooled—among them, Thomas Edison (inventor of the lightbulb), J.R.R. Tolkien (author of The Lord of the Rings) and Venus and Serena Williams (world-class tennis stars). 

The Advantages of Homeschooling

Homeschool programs have a lot to offer to both parents and students. Here are a few of the advantages:

 

• Ability to adapt to different learning styles and paces. Everyone learns differently. In a public school environment, students are often constrained or rushed by the pace set by the whole class. Homeschool programs, on the other hand, allow students to spend as much time as they need on subjects that they find difficult, while also being able to move quickly through subjects that come easily to them.

• Flexibility. Homeschool programs allow students to learn on their own schedule. There’s a large volume of research indicating that traditional school start times are too early, and may actually be harming students’ ability to learn.
  
  Online homeschool programs in particular are also more accommodating of unique life circumstances, such as students who have experienced disruptions to their education, have a history of trauma, or don’t have a stable home life or reliable access to transportation.

• Stronger parent-child relationships. For parents who choose to homeschool their children, doing so allows them to deepen their bond with their child. 

Who Can Benefit From Homeschooling?

The short answer is, anyone! Any student has the potential to succeed in a homeschool program. In fact, for some populations, such as non-traditional or disadvantaged students, the benefits of homeschooling often far outweigh the disadvantages. 

 

The Tiers Free Academy, for example, is a trauma-informed program that is geared specifically towards sex trafficking survivors, homeless LGBTQ youth, high school dropouts, and other marginalized students. The program prioritizes flexibility and a strengths-based approach. Rather than requiring students who are returning to their education to start over, Tiers Free Academy students simply pick up where they left off. 

 

Other examples of specialized homeschool programs include some that offer resources specifically designed for students with special learning needs, such as ADHD- or dyslexia-friendly curricula. 

Getting Started: How To Homeschool

Homeschooling is much less complicated than most people believe it to be. If you think that homeschool high school programs might be a good fit for you or your child, here’s how to get started: 

• Weigh the pros and cons of homeschooling. (Odds are, if you’re reading this article, you’re already doing so!)

• Research rules and regulations in your state. The laws and policies around homeschooling are different in each state, and some may have specific requirements around notifications, state-mandated subjects, and assessments.

• Choose a program. In selecting a homeschool program, you’ll want to consider which of the benefits of homeschooling are most important to you, as well as any special learning considerations for you or your child.

• Take the plunge! As you get started, it may help to set goals and think about what you want your educational experience to look like. Remember that when it comes to structuring your homeschooling process, there are no wrong answers—all that matters is what will help you earn your diploma. 

The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation is dedicated to improving our community by enhancing education opportunities, promoting synchrony between law enforcement and constituents, and encouraging community engagement. Our programs and initiatives include the Southwest GA Community Policing Resource Center and the Tiers Free Academy, a homeschool cooperative for students in grades 9-12 that provides an alternative diploma program for homeless LGBTQ youth, sex trafficking survivors, youth aging out of foster care, and high school dropouts. To learn more about our offerings or support our work, consider subscribing to our newsletter or donating today!