How much does home schooling cost?

Question

I'm 15 years old right now and I started modeling. I dont really like going out of my way to go to school. Even though I'm a model and education isnt all that important in modeling, I still want to finish my education...I thought getting home schooled would be a good idea...but I just need more information on it.

Will I still get enough education as others that go to school do?

Do I have to pay once a month or weekly?

Is it going to take longer to get my diploma?

How much would it be?

Is there a cheaper way to get my high school diploma rather than going to an actual school or getting home schooled?

Do you think getting home schooled is the right choice?

Answer 1

It is different for every family that does it, and often even for every individual child. As stated above, some people do online school which means you have teachers you corespond with over the internet. The online school sends you your materials and you complete the work and get a grade, just like regular school, only done on the computer from home or the library or the road if you travel a lot.

Some people homeschool through a private school or school of corespondance that sends them their books and materials for assignments, labs, projects, etc through the mail. With this type of home schooling, you usually send a report to the base school at set intervals.

Some people attend charter schools that let them go in to school once or twice a week, collect work, turn in work, and get help if they need it, though this isn't really what most consider to be homeschooling. Neither is online school to some people.

Some people take full responsibility for their own/their child's education by doing more traditional homeschooling. The parents and children choose their own curriculumk, text books, work books, lab equipment, videos, software, and any other materials they wish to use. They also choose their own subjects based on the child's individual interests and goals, for example, if the child wishes to go on to university, they will study the important core subjects that universities look for on transcripts as well as a variety of electives based on individual interests, needs, and goals. I personally am interested in robotics, animation, creative writing, and music, so this year I've been studying Programming and Robotics with various books and robotics/electronics kits for labs, 3D Animation with computer software, and creative writing with a textbook and books frokm the library. I also takek music lessons in the community and I am a member of a band. In this form of homeschooling, the state may require that you take a yearly standardized test to show that you are performing at or above grade level. In the states that are a bit more strict about homeschooling, your parents may need to send in a quarterly report, just like a report card in a way. Your parents may also give you tests at home if you all agree that this is what will be best for you, but it isn't required.You may also get grades like you do in school, or you may be on a Pass/Fail system, or you may have a totally unique grading system, or no grades at all. I take tests, but not for grades. When I take a test in a subject it is only to determine how far along I've come in that subject. The "grade" is never final because I homeschool to learn, not to just get by with a passing grade. If, for example, I took a test on a chapter I did in Algebra and I didn't do well on a few questions, instead of just going on to the next chapter, I go back and review the stuff I didn't get right on the test and then take the test again before moving on. For me, all tests are for is to tell me when I can move on to something more challenging. For me, and many others, tests aren't always in the same format as they are in public school. Sometimes in certain subjects, I'm tested by being given an extensive project or presentation to do to show my understanding of the topic cover, or asked to write a paper on it, or give a mock lesson on it as if I were the teacher. You know you truly understand something when you can accurately and confidently teach it to someone else. Often my mother, adult friends, or friends closer to my age who are in college or who have already mastered te subject will act as audience durring presentations or re-teaching activities, checking me if I don't seem to understand something. I only do this for certain subjects and topics though.

Homeschoolers sometimes do a lot of the things you may do in public school, but sometimes they do more as well. Many homeschoolers do a lot of hands-on activities like labs in science. This year, I am taking Chemistry, and I have all the same lab equipment you would use in a public high school chemistry class, just on a smaller scale, and with lab instructions specific to homeschooling (not requiring large groups of students, or very-hard-to-obtain chemicals). It was the same in Biology and in Physical Science. I have homeschooled friends who take thier science classes in a co-op group (kind of a homeschool class where parents and community volunteers act as teachers for each subject), and still other homeschool friends who take all of their highschool science classes (and some other classes) at the local community college as duel-enrollment students (just like regular highschool duel enrollment).

Homeschoolers don't miss out on the social aspects of school either. They certainly do not spend all of their time inside the house. Homeschoolers spend a lot of their time is spent out in the community, learning and experiencing life in the real world instead of in a house or in a classroom alone. Many homeschoolers take classes offered in the community such as art classes at an art studio or museum, musical instrument or voice lessons as well as band or chorus classes for homeschoolers at local music stores or schools, fencing lessons, swimming lessons, horseback riding lessons, classes and programs offered through local childrens museums, science museums, or history museums, classes or programs offered through the library, community/youth center, YMCA, or other Parks and Rec programs, dance class, and so on. Naturally, these are great opportnities for homeschoolers to interact with others of all ages, homeschoolers and public schoolers alike. There are also clubs outside of the regular public schools such as riding clubs, clubs offered through libraries and community centers, drama clubs at local theaters, boy scouts, girl scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, youth group for those who are into the church scene, OM, academic teams, community sports, individual sports like martial arts, tennis, fencing, swimming, etc, and much much more. Many cities or counties also have homeschool organizations or co-ops where, as stated above, homeschoolers can take classes with other homeschoolers as well as go on frequent feild trips (though any homeschool parent or group of parents can arrange a feild trip when they want to), join clubs sponsored by the group (as many as can be thought of and started by the members), work on a yearbook or newspaper staff, attend dances or holiday parties (most groups have something along the lines of a Not-Back-To-School party each fall where the homeschoolers may go to a theme park or some other sort of outing) volunteer service projects, prom and graduation ceremonies for older students, outings on weekends, park days where younger kids meet up to spend an afternoon playing and pic-nicking in the park (uwsually weekly or monthly) and so on. Some even participate in private school sports competitions as well as regional and state science fairs and spelling/geography bee. There is no lack of social interaction.

The last form of homeschooling I can think of is unschooling. In this kind of home education, there is no structured school day, no tests (unless the child wants them), no grades. All of the learning and "school work" is directed by the child. This is usually best when started at an early age so that the child's natural desire to learn remains in tact and the child doesn't just become lazy or unmotivated. I am what I like to call a homeschool/unschooler because my schooling is all self-directed, but I still choose to do the book work and testing along with the creative hands-on stuff because I feel it is in my own, individual best interest.

I hope this answers your questions

Answer 2

Okay at 15 your in ninth or tenth grade?

Will I still get enough education as others that go to school do?

You CAN get a better education than you do in school. It depends how much time you spend planning and working at it. At 15 you should be able to choose your curriculum and stay within a budget.

Do I have to pay once a month or weekly?

Here's how we do our budget for our son:

(cost of lunch x 180 days of school) + (clothing budget - summer clothing x2) + (cost of regular school supplies, field trips, sports, and school extras)= Homeschool budget  

*I use the cost my nephew has for things that our son doesn't because he's homeschooled*

I divide that in half that is what I try to stay under it when looking for curriculum for the year. Usually what I think my son will use in a year takes him half.

I use sites like http://www.amblesideonline.org/index2.sh... to create reading list, library cards.

For writing if I was you, I'd look into getting a book called the elements of style or use http://www.bartleby.com/141/ and then use scholarship applications as your writing.

See if you can volunteer at a local court house, volunteer to help a lawyer, or things like that for government. Invest some pretend money into stocks so you investigate the companies for economics.  

Volunteer at the zoo, vet office, assist a college science teacher for biology or science. Take out books research, If you are going to buy something for science do a college level book. Then you can CLEP that subject.  

You'll have to look for a math curriculum you like but I would use your library as your first stop.

Some libraries have a program called Rosetta stone that teach foreign language.   You want to check what college courses are opened to home-schoolers and your local home school support groups, they may have classes you can take with other kids.

Is it going to take longer to get my diploma?

If your home schooled you and your parents choose when you graduate. If you want to go to an online charter school that's free. It will take the same amount of time as normal school to get through. There are private online schools, correspondence schools. There are also schools called umbrella schools that the time and requirements vary.

How much would it be?

Homeschool- less then $50 - thousands of dollars

on-line- free charter schools - >$2000 per credit.

umbrella schools / correspondence schools- http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8259/umb...

Is there a cheaper way to get my high school diploma rather than going to an actual school or getting home schooled?

Maybe GED but I think you would have to wait a year to 3 years. I would much rather you do homeschooling then get your ged.

Do you think getting home schooled is the right choice?

I'm going to venture and say because you don't like "going out of your way to go to school" that you don't really apply yourself or it's to easy. At 15 you have three years until you are legally an adult. Education is one of the most important things in your life, ever your old enough to make your own decision. Think about the class that you loved the most in school growing up? what did you like about it? and how could you bring it to all your subjects? I really feel people learn more doing then reading about it. That being said you have to seriously ask yourself some questions:

Do you think you'd be disciplined enough to learn what you need to no matter how you learn it?

Are you going to college?

Are you taking your SAT's / ACT's?

Are your parents okay with you homeschooling?

Are they okay with being guides not teachers?

Are you willing to put the time in to make and get the curriculum you want?

Do they have the money to do it?

Will you put the time to your studies?

If you answered "NO" to any of the questions  you have to either think of how to get past that hurdle or look into an online charter, or stay in public school.

If all were yes start looking up the laws http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp , curriculum  http://www.homeschoolreviews.com/ anything you like look on e-bay, or craigslist, look for homeschooling groups on-line and in your area, and start working on getting your curriculum together.

Answer 3

OK u can do home scooling through any private organisations. if u cant spare ur time to go for classes then u can do that online. get through online teaching. i can give u online teaching. for more details about my profile u can visit the WIZIQ in my

http://beenathebugsbunny.blogspot.com

Answer 4

Free for us.

Yes, you could if you study.

You don't have to pay for anything, unless you want to.

It could take less time, or more. Depends on you.

Cost depends on you. People can spend a LOT of money on boxed curricula or tutors, or they can design their own and get books from the library or at used book sales

There's not much cheaper than public school, or free homeschool.

Homeschooling is the right choice for those who care to homeschool.

Answer 5

Ill Home School u 4 Free

;)

s*x ed. =D

jk

im in 7th grade and i do my homeschooling on time4learning.com

and it cots like 30 bucks a month and its really goooood

Answer 6

I think you should stay in school, because if your modelling isnt full time, then you should still be able to go get an education for free. Alot of models actually have undergrad/graduate degrees.  

There are lots of websites that have Distance Learning, or "Virtual School" where they give you work, and you do it at home or where ever, and just send it back to them through the net, but the ones I found were about $500/per course/credit. Sooo, in my opinion, you should try to manage your time so that you can accommodate modelling with highschool-if possible, until you have a steady modelling career with a steady income? I mean, why spend extra money on something you can get for free right? :] Best of luck to you~

Answer 7

See if your state has a virtual school and just finish the classes required to graduate. It should be free if you're a state resident. Florida has a really good one.

You may have to pay hundreds of dollars for a private virtual school.

Answer 8

what about a FREE online public school? connections academy its completely free and online. you get tought by actual teachers and work at your own pace. so if you lets say are at a modeling gig for 3 days, you can do that work later when you have time. its also a very good school and you get tought more and have better schooling because you work at your own pace and anywhere you have internet. the teachers also have field trips and stuff like that to meet other people. heres a link: www.connectionsacademy.com

hope this helps and good luck!!!

Answer 9

my home school is about $1,000 a year, but it rly depends on the program u get involved with. we paid the tuition all at once, but we could have made monthly payments. when u get ur diploma is rly up to u. the faster u get ur work done the sooner u get a diploma. it is cheaper 2 get a regular high school diploma, but ur schedule isnt as flexible as home schooling. there isnt set times or days that u must do ur home schooling. a close friend of mine got homeschooled so she could model/act and she has a successful career & a good education. good luck!