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What are the Pros and Cons of Homeschool for High School?

Nicole Long
Nicole Long

Homeschooling involves teaching a child the necessary subject matter to meet graduation standards at home. There are both advantages and disadvantages of homeschool for high school students. The avoidance of negative influences, setting goals based on a child’s ability, and flexibility represent a few advantages. Added expense, additional responsibility, and lack of social interaction are a few of the negatives related to homeschool for high school students.

One advantage of homeschool for high school students is the avoidance of negative influences. Homeschooling can’t limit all interactions with negative influence, but it can cut down on peer pressure. This can limit the possibility of a high school student getting involved with drinking and drugs, or being the subject of bullying.

Homeschooled students might miss interacting with peers.
Homeschooled students might miss interacting with peers.

Choosing homeschool for high school students allows for goal setting based on an individual’s needs. High school aged students able to keep up with a more rigorous schedule may be able to complete school early. Those that need more focus on specific subject areas, such as math and science, can get the extra help they need.

Flexibility is another advantage of homeschool for high school students. Homeschooled students must adhere to basic study requirements to meet state schooling standards, but some flexibility exists in how information is taught. This can include taking field trips for hands-on learning experiences. Additional help in the form of tutors can also help provide additional instruction.

Homeschooled children may not have the best opportunity to make friends.
Homeschooled children may not have the best opportunity to make friends.

Among the disadvantages of homeschooling a high school student is the added expense. The costs of books, study supplies, and any independent study help must be considered. In addition, parents who choose to homeschool need to consider the amount of pay they are foregoing by not working, or working non-traditional jobs and hours.

Choosing to homeschool a high school student represents a substantial parental responsibility. The success of the student rests squarely on the parent’s shoulders. Preparing to homeschool a high school student also means understanding college entrance requirements and taking the responsibility for preparing the student academically and socially for a successful future.

Homeschooled kids might not feel pressured when taking tests because they don't have to take them in a group.
Homeschooled kids might not feel pressured when taking tests because they don't have to take them in a group.

Traditional high schools provide plenty of opportunity for involvement in extracurricular activities and social functions. Homeschooled high school students will need to interact with others their own age to develop social skills and make friends. This can be remedied by involving children in sports and other social activities, such as art classes or dance classes.

A downside of homeschooling is the lack of extracurricular group activities, like marching band.
A downside of homeschooling is the lack of extracurricular group activities, like marching band.

Homeschooling also requires that parents take other disadvantages into consideration. Without the traditional school support, students will be without scientific labs, gymnasiums, and other traditional school facilities. Parents may have to get creative in developing a plan of action for particular assignments and activities related to a hands-on curriculum.

Discussion Comments

OceanSwimmer

My kids have always went to public schools so I can't really relate to the moms who have home-schooled. However, my brother-in-law and his wife are going through a really ugly divorce right now, especially regarding custody of their daughter.

Her mother has home-schooled her for the past four years. The daughter is now 16 years old. Once the divorce proceedings started and my brother-in-law's attorney started digging up information, they found some very shocking information. For the past year, his soon-to-be ex-wife had not turned in any paperwork that is necessary when you home-school your child.

The attorney brought the daughter in and talked to her. She said that her mother didn't do any schooling during the last year and that her mother had asked her to lie for her. Needless to say, the ex-wife is in a lot of trouble but my niece lost a whole year of education. I think there should definitely be a better system of accountability for home-schooling. I am not saying that it is a bad thing but I don't know how her mother got away with doing nothing and nobody caught that.

SnowyWinter

@medicchristy- I can understand your concerns for the social life that home-schooled kids might miss out on. However, I home-schooled both of my children and they excelled on their exit exams and are both in college now. Their grades are excellent and they are experiencing their socializing there.

What helped me was that, in our community, we started a group for moms who home-schooled their children. We met once a week, sometimes more. All of the kids got to know each other and they would hang out together. So they didn't really miss out on social experiences altogether. Our group was very beneficial to us, as moms, as well.

medicchristy

I am kind of torn on homeschooling for high school students. My cousin's wife home-schooled her son through his whole education. I definitely commend her for having the knowledge and the patience to provide her son a proper education.

However, I feel as though her son has missed out on a lot. High school is a place where a lot of teenagers find themselves, so to speak. A teenager learns who they are and who they want to be during these years. I feel that they are missing out on social skills that a regular school could offer.

Also, there are experiences in a regular high school that are important. Teenagers need to see what other kids their age are doing or not doing. They need to know that we don't live in a perfect world and everyone doesn't get along.

This is just my personal opinion. I talked to my cousin's wife about it and she was adamant that she was doing the right thing and I respect her decision.

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    • Homeschooled students might miss interacting with peers.
      By: Christian Schwier
      Homeschooled students might miss interacting with peers.
    • Homeschooled children may not have the best opportunity to make friends.
      By: Carlos Santa Maria
      Homeschooled children may not have the best opportunity to make friends.
    • Homeschooled kids might not feel pressured when taking tests because they don't have to take them in a group.
      By: Monkey Business
      Homeschooled kids might not feel pressured when taking tests because they don't have to take them in a group.
    • A downside of homeschooling is the lack of extracurricular group activities, like marching band.
      By: abf
      A downside of homeschooling is the lack of extracurricular group activities, like marching band.
    • Homeschooled students may have a harder time being involved in youth sports.
      By: My 3 kids
      Homeschooled students may have a harder time being involved in youth sports.
    • Many parents find that the prospect of homeschooling older children seems overwhelming, but there are resources available in almost every community.
      By: xalanx
      Many parents find that the prospect of homeschooling older children seems overwhelming, but there are resources available in almost every community.
    • Homeschooled students don't typically get the chance to celebrate their graduation with a ceremony.
      By: michaeljung
      Homeschooled students don't typically get the chance to celebrate their graduation with a ceremony.
    • Students who are homeschooled have fewer opportunities to connect with peers.
      By: biker3
      Students who are homeschooled have fewer opportunities to connect with peers.