Homeschooling in high school?

Question

So, I'm very much considering homeschooling. I'm in 9th grade.

I just wanted to know, what are some ups and downs of homeschooling in high school? Does it ever get lonely and depressing, or what? And how do you meet new people?

And more importantly, how would that affect college? Especially getting into a college.

Answer 1

I wasn't homeschooled but I went to an Ivy League university and I met some homeschoolers. My little brother goes to a college where many of the students did get, or could have gotten, into Ivy League schools but felt that a smaller college was what they wanted -- one of his closest friend's there is a girl who was homeschooled.

As for the 'milestones' of high school, I found graduation to be entirely overrated (something you only do for your parents), most senior events to be a waste of time, I didn't even go to the prom (and don't regret if for a minute) and the drama of high school 'relationships' were just exhausting.

The one good social thing about high school was theatre. There were many, many days of high school where I would have played sick if not for the fact I would have missed rehearsal that afternoon. I know the drama, dance and music teachers would have allowed non-students to participate and there were other non-school theatre groups. Whatever you are into be it theatre, sports or something else, find a way to participate in those events.

Answer 2

I was homeschooled for high school.  I'm in college now.

Honestly, I met most of my friends before high school, and the friends I met during high school were mostly friends of friends and their friends, etc.  I was also part of a Christian youth group but if you're not religious, I guess it could be hard to find a religious group.  Still, I never felt like I was missing out on friendships.  You just have to keep in touch with your friends and stay involved!  It can get a bit lonely and boring at times, but it's just a matter of waiting until 3:00 or so, when you can meet up with your friends after school.  I also went to football games at the high school I would have gone to, and went to the homecoming dance there with my friends, etc.

Homeschooling is great for the obvious reasons - working at your own pace, learning things that actually interest you and learning them in a way you can understand them, getting to spend time with your family, sleeping in.  (I really value getting to spend that time with my family now that I am about to move 2 hours away from them).

As far as college goes, colleges typically LOVE homeschoolers.  I've never heard of a college questioning the merit of a homeschool diploma (it's not like they ask to see your diploma or anything - you just need to keep records of the courses you took while homeschooling and the grades you got in those courses).  Homeschoolers generally get better grades in college and are less likely to drop out of college than public-schooled kids, so colleges are usually more than willing to accept former homeschoolers.

I guess the only downside to homeschooling for high school is that, since the subject matter gets a little more difficult, trying to understand things can be challenging at times, especially if you're parents don't really understand it either.  And getting yourself motivated to do your work is challenging too.  But I made it through and I've gotten A's all through college so far, so I guess I did okay!  Good luck, and I hope this helped.

Answer 3

yes it is very lonely! i hated being homeschool but it wasn't my choice! if you wanna be miserable and lonely i say go for it. Good thing i got to do my last year at  a regular high school. so i didn't miss prom or to actually graduate! i loved actually going to an actual school, hated homeschool!

Answer 4

I watched my cousins homeschool in high school and they were never lonely or bored.  They started a cheesecake business, volunteered at children's camps, participated in community theater, entered art contests, recorded a music CD, and on an on.  And they had many friends.

I think how lonely or bored you will be is entirely up to you.  There are many different activities and experience you can get involved in.  If you are a self-motivated person, outgoing person there is no limit to the opportunities available to you.

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

I am a bit older than you are, but I still remeber school, and sitting in the classroom all those hours is definitely boring.  Especially when you have a good grasp of the material and are ready to move on.  If you are wanting to progress through high school more quickly, homeschooling is a great option.

If you are concerned about college, contact some of the colleges you may be interested in and find out their admission requirements.  That way you know whether or not you are on the right track.

Here's some additional information about homeschooling high school:

http://www.hslda.org/highschool/default....

Answer 5

I think homeschooling if mostly for people who lack the ability to get along with others, or is just tired of school. I did it for like three years and regret it because it is lonely and you miss out in all the school dances, and other functions. I really wish i didn't go.

I guess it all depends on the kind of person you are. I kinda grew up a loner, so I figured it would be fun. I missed out on my life long goal of playing professional baseball. And I missed out in meeting the "special person" you hear everyone talking about. And I am sure you could still get into a good college but you will defiantly not be prepared for it.  But you know you are only in the ninth grade. Try it out for a few months, and see if you like it. But I guarantee if you stick with it you will hate yourself forever. I am speaking from experience and only for myself. I can't express everyone else's experiences.  Oh  I almost forgot the most important part. The teachers. Someone has got to be there to help you with the work. d**n I'm 28 and I still don't know how to do algebra. I never had anyone show me how.

Answer 6

here is a yahoo homeschool group that is very informative

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschool...

they have lots of great information about college after homeschool

My boys never found it depressing, or lonely.  They met people through our local rec center, jobs, sports, ect...

Answer 7

My fiancee was home schooled from 10Th grade and on. He liked it because he got to move at his own pace, and teach himself. He also like the free time to himself, and study his favorite materials more, he also like that it wasn't as long as regular school, and that the work was at his own pace when ever he wanted it. He hated getting lonely, lack of structure, and the lack of socializing, no sports, you don't have as many contacts or friends like in normal school and a big thing you don't have a graduation or get to walk. Being home alone all day really did get him depressed. He met new people though home schooling classes, and trips also churches. For college it is very hard to get accepted because they don't see it as an actual school, if you apply to a private school you have just as much chance, you have to take your SAT's as well and score well. It doesn't look good to college, He got a 2010 on his SAT's and didn't even get accepted to a state college, and he got good grades in home school. we think it was mostly because he was home schooled, because he was like me in ever thing our volunteer work, outside work, everything even GPA, while mine was a but higher because of AP, I got accepted to every school I applied to while he got rejected.

Answer 8

The only real downer to homeschooling in high school is the only real down to homeschooling at all. No matter what, people will always decide that you're a freak; that every trait you have is negative, and directly attributable to the fact that you're not in school.

Sometimes I feel lonely and depressed, but then again, my friends in school sometimes feel that way too. It's just what happens when you're a teenager.

You meet new people by going outside. Homeschooling isn't -for normal people- school at home, where you sit at your desk from 8-3 and then go up to your room to do homework.

Sign up for co-op classes and things like that. A homeschooler theater group -whether or not you're interested in theater- can be awesome because you can prompt, or find props, or futz around with lighting. You get to have the bonding experience of the performance, and then hang out afterwards.

Let's say you graduate from college and get a job for a company that sends you over to the UK as soon as you graduate. Before your job starts, are you going to spend every day alone? I doubt it. Get outside, talk to people, and you'll make friends.