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Homeschooling remains one of the most successful forms of alternative education. You’ve undoubtedly become much more familiar with home learning (though not necessarily homeschooling…there is a big difference!) over the past several months, and you’ve probably already formed your own opinion on the subject. And though billions more people across the world got a taste of homeschooling or home learning, there remain some misconceptions that might make you shy away from homeschooling on a full-time basis.
After your 2019-20 and 2020-21 COVID-affected school years, many of you may think you can’t homeschool because both parents work (though that theory was certainly put to the test over the past two school years). Maybe you worry you won’t be able to teach your children adequately–after all, teachers still did the instructing even in a remote environment. Perhaps you think homeschooling will limit your child’s social interactions. The thing is, these statements and assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, you probably don’t realize just how much homeschooling can unlock your child’s full potential and prepare them for greatness.
Myth #1: If I homeschool my kids, they won’t get into college.
Nope. Quite the opposite, actually. Consider these facts and statistics, compiled by the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI):
- 69% of peer-reviewed studies on success into adulthood (including college) show adults who were home educated succeed and perform statistically better than those who attended institutional schools.1
- Homeschooled students go to and succeed at college at an equal or higher rate than the general population.
- Home-educated students typically score above average on SAT and ACT exams that colleges consider for admission.
- Homeschooled students are increasingly being actively recruited by colleges.
Not to mention, homeschooled children are more likely to be accepted into and STAY in a four-year college; they also have higher college GPAs than students from institutional schools. Why? Because education that is tailored to students enables them to gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life after high school. At Bridgeway, we put your child’s future goals, from Ivy League (many Bridgeway grads have attended Ivy League schools) to competitive athletics, at the center of their high school plan. This gives you the peace of mind that you’re preparing your child for a successful future.
Ready to give your child the edge? Get info here.
Myth #2: Very few people homeschool their children.
More than 2.5 million children were homeschooled in the U.S. in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That number, undoubtedly fueled by COVID concerns, jumped to between 4.5 and 5 million as of March 20212. Why? The most common reason is that parents feel they can provide a better education for their child. Those parents are right. According to Pew Research Center findings from 2017, the U.S. ranked 38th out of 71 countries in math assessment scores, 24th in science and reading–sharp declines from about 20 years ago, when our country’s education metrics were consistently in the top 10.
In addition to declining public school systems, the internet has opened doors to online classes, live meetings and lectures, and so much more, enabling homeschooled students to connect with others like them around the world.
Take back control of your child’s education with this free infopack.
Myth #3: My child won’t be able to socialize properly with other children.
We’ve already debunked this myth here and here. Regardless of where they receive their education, children interact with parents, family members, neighbors, friends, and people in the community. In fact, we know from experience that the socialization children get during homeschooling is healthier, happier, and more productive than the socialization that occurs in most traditional schools.
According to NHERI research:
- Homeschoolers score above average on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development such as peer interaction, self-concept, leadership skills, family cohesion, participation in community service, and self-esteem.
- Homeschool students are regularly engaged in social and educational activities outside their homes and with people other than their nuclear-family members.
- 87% of peer-reviewed studies on social, emotional, and psychological development show homeschool students perform statistically significantly better than those in conventional schools.3
Myth #4: My child won’t learn as well as he/she would in a traditional school.
Actually, homeschooled children learn better than those in traditional schools. Why? Because their learning style, their interests, and their goals are the focus of their education. Homeschooling means your child’s experience isn’t about what is best for all, it’s about what is best for them. And that’s what works.
Traditional schools are forced to target the widest possible range of learning abilities and styles (a cookie-cutter type of education, if you will), which can result in a less-than-effective educational experience for many children. With homeschooling, you can tailor education to your child’s strengths. This kind of one-on-one attention is what makes homeschooling so effective–after all, no two kids are the same…why should their education be?
Myth #5: My kids will just sit at home all day.
No way. In fact, homeschooled children get opportunities that students in traditional schools never could. Field trips at the drop of a hat, learning wherever and whenever the day takes you…the sky’s the limit. Homeschooled children are active, engaged, and involved in their learning. What better way for your child to learn a science lesson about butterflies than to go outside, observe them, take photos, and craft a report? And this can apply to practically every lesson in every subject. Instead of reading about a Civil War battle, find the closest battleground to you and take a tour. Don’t watch a video about marine life–go to the aquarium or beach and see it up close. The possibilities are endless.
Myth #6: I’m not qualified to teach my child.
You may not know it, but you have been your child’s most important teacher all along. Who taught him to walk and talk? To know right from wrong? To be kind? Those lessons are much harder to teach than long division. You may not be a trained teacher, but you know your child best.
If that’s not enough to convince you, perhaps this NHERI research is:
- Homeschool students score above average on achievement tests regardless of their parents’ level of formal education.
- Whether homeschool parents were ever certified teachers is not related to their children’s academic achievement.
Myth #7: My children won’t have access to extracurricular activities.
Homeschooling actually frees up time! Students study more efficiently, and much more learning takes place in four hours of homeschool than in a traditional school setting. That means that homeschooled children have more time to pursue their hobbies and interests and develop their talents.
Have an athlete? Meet Ebee Price, Olympic gymnast and scholar. Ebee was able to make it to the Olympics and attend Stanford University, because homeschooling gave her the flexibility she needed to become the elite athlete she knew she could be while reaching her academic goals.
Or maybe your child is a talented performer. Read about Abigail O’Branovich, a 2021 Bridgeway graduate who balanced her studies with hours of acting and singing rehearsals and performances while starring as Peter Pan in the TEXArts youth production of Peter Pan Jr. back in 2016.
Myth #8: My child won’t learn the right things.
One of the main reasons parents decide to homeschool is because they don’t believe the public school system is teaching the right lessons and instilling the proper values. For example, you might want to provide your child with a faith-based education, which public schools are obviously not going to accommodate.
With a homeschool partner, you have more control over which courses your child is going to take while still getting the expert advice you need to ensure your child is taking the right courses. And a homeschool partner will keep records for you so you can focus on what’s most important–educating your child.
Myth #9: Homeschool families are all alike.
On the contrary, homeschoolers come from all over the country from a wide-range of political, religious, philosophical, and socioeconomic groups. The two main reasons parents homeschool is a lack of trust in the public school system and the desire to spend more quality time with their children. Homeschooling offers a solution to both–the ability to give your child a personalized education that aligns with your values, and the opportunity to be with your child during those precious years that fly by way too quickly.
Myth #10: All homeschool services are the same.
Whether you’re seeking an alternative to public schools, have a child with special needs who requires additional attention, are nurturing an elite youth athlete or professional child actor with scheduling demands, or want a values-based education for your child, a homeschool partner can help you reach your goals. Partnering with a homeschool academy rather than a cyber public school (some of which are very rigid in their curriculum and scheduling) means that you have the freedom and flexibility you want in homeschooling. And working with a partner who knows homeschooling means that you access the courses your child needs to succeed.
Homeschooling just might be the answer to unlocking your child’s full potential and preparing them for greatness. To learn more, call us today at (800) 863-1474.
Sources:
1, 3Ray, Brian D. (2017). A systematic review of the empirical research on selected aspects of homeschooling as a school choice. Journal of School Choice, 11(4), 604-621 [a peer-reviewed journal]
2The March of 2021 estimate is based on data from state governments (e.g., Delaware, Florida, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Virginia), the U.S. Census Bureau (2021), and the U.S. Department of Education (2019). The spring 2019 estimate was based on an estimate of about 2.5% per annum growth from estimates of 2 million home-educated children during the spring of 2010 and 2.3 million spring of 2016 in the United States (Ray, Brian D. (2010). Academic achievement and demographic traits of homeschool students: A nationwide study. Academic Leadership Journal, 8,www.academicleadership.org [a peer-reviewed journal].).The estimate of 2.3 million in 2016 was calculated by Brian D. Ray on April 7, 2016. He based it on publicly available research findings.
