The modern homeschool revolution began in the early 1970s when John Holt, an educational theorist, criticized the “oppressive classroom environments” in public schools. Today, approximately two million children currently learn from the comfort of their homes, with statistics showing an increase of 7% to 15% per year.
Homeschooling unlocks a whirlwind of valuable opportunities for students to expand knowledge and transferable skills as well as cultivate unique qualities and interests. Homeschool education continues to prove that students can achieve the same level of success – if not more – than their public and even private school peers.
What are the Advantages of Homeschool Learning?
Homeschooling’s unique pathway to education yields positive results due to its individualized nature. As such, homeschool parents can focus on subjects and value systems that interest and excite students. Moreover, homeschool instruction grants parents flexible schedules and the freedom to integrate subjects outside of the mandated curriculum.
Laser-Focused Attention
Homeschool students perform on the same level as their public school peers. According to a 2014 NHERI report, homeschooled students scored above average on the national standard for all high school seniors. In the majority of cases, homeschool students thrive from private one-on-one attention allowing families to assess a student’s strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, and interests. Homeschooling also allows students to move through educational materials at a faster pace than in public or private schools.
When a student struggles to grasp complex subjects or concepts, homeschooling parents can provide extra support until their student masters the material. This flexibility engenders highly motivated learners, thereby molding them into better students. Homeschooling also affords extra opportunities to dive into compelling subjects outside of the “Core Four” areas of study: English, Mathematics, Science, and History.
An Innovative & Flexible Curriculum
Despite achieving varying levels of success, some public-school districts are unsuccessful in catering to the needs of the individual student. Homeschoolers can receive a higher quality education from a customized curriculum. Homeschoolers also experience more diverse opportunities due to the flexibility of their scheduled studies and hands-on learning models from visiting museums, libraries, businesses, parks, marinas, and other community resources. Students may also volunteer or take part in “service learning” where they assist with local community projects.
Remove Distractions & Negative Influences
Some parents opt for homeschooling due to growing safety concerns. Bullying, drugs, negative peer pressure, and underfunded schools can all impede a student’s educational and developmental progress. Whatever pathway students and parents choose, remember to weigh the pros and cons, and consider how students can best meet goals. Each child is unique, so parents must acknowledge this to tap into a homeschool child’s true potential.
What Higher Education Opportunities Exist For Homeschool Students?
More than a decade ago, homeschool students applying to college stood out because of the low number of students participating in homeschool learning. Today, college admission has evolved into a game of numbers – GPAs, test scores, rankings, and admission rates. The complexity of college admissions should never deter homeschool students from reaching higher learning goals. With guidance from an experienced college counselor, homeschool students can make a strong impression and increase the chances of enrolling in a top university.
Colleges and Universities do not discriminate against homeschooled students. Moreover, some Ivy League universities, such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, aggressively recruit homeschool students. So homeschool learning does not reduce a student’s chances of acceptance into a university compared to students in public school. Homeschoolers also meet the requirements to qualify for financial aid and scholarships when applying to colleges or universities.