The cons of homeschooling?

Question

I've been looking in to being homeschooled since the beggining of this year( my sophmore year) and know the pro's of homeschooling; but am unsure about the cons.

The biggest concern I have, is the non-socialization with other kids during a good portion of the day. Granite there isn't constant talking in school, but you communicate a lot; even if some is negative.

Another is the being home all day. What do homeschoolers suggest to do outside of school? There is no volunteer programs for hospitals around me, so that wouldn't be an option. Also, is motivation a problem?

The last problem is one me and my mom are confused about, is how colleges see homeschoolers. How does one get a high school degree? I want to become a psychologist; will homeschooling hurt my chances?

ALSO, sorry for so many questions, but what is the best way to homeschool? Online, or the tradition teaching by your parents.

Thanks so much, and sorry again for all the questions :D

Answer 1

Well No cons AT all!

I do Sports Classes at my Y and art museum! Some public schols allow classes! Co op! etc.

A high school degree is presented by your mother in a graduation ceremony of your chioce! and The best way is what is your learning style?

Answer 2

Well, this is going to depend entirely on the family that is doing the homeschooling. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. There is no universal con for homeschool nor is there a "best" way to homeschool. I know families that even use different teaching methods for different kids in the same family.

I have found no cons. I have found things that took me some time to figure out or tailor to the way we operate in our home. That is the thing about liberty, it is also responsibility. If something isn't working for you, you have to be the one to figure out what to do to improve the situation. For some people, that is too much to handle. For others, it comes naturally and does not even feel like a challenge.

Answer 3

Hi, and welcome.

Socialization is not a problem for homeschooled kids.  There are so many classes and activities, including a national movement called "park day."  You will have more friends than you will have time for.

Homeschoolers are not at home all day.  They are out and about in the community.  There is a saying that goes, "I don't know why it's called homeschooling.  We're never home."  When you homeschool you can follow your own interests...but it may take you a bit of "deschooling" and relaxing to reawaken those interests.  

Almost all colleges accept homeschoolers.  Some, including ivy league schools and Stanford University, along with other smaller schools, recruit homeschoolers.  Homeschooling will enhance, rather than hurt your career goals.

The choice of homeschooling online, through a charter, or on your own, is entirely up to you.  There is no one right or best way.  There is a book that you will love, and I have provided the link below.  All the best.

Answer 4

I'm not sure where people like Aquafina get their answers.  I don't completely disagree with some of her points, but there is no such thing as a "designated homeschool."  Some areas have co-ops and many co-ops have the activities available that she describes, but there is no designation about anything when it comes to homeschooling.  Homeschooling is about choice!  And independence!  Embrace that!

And secondly, the last people you would want to ask about homeschooling would be school employees.  This is a blanket statement, but most professional educators are going to be slightly biased in favor of traditional schooling, so you aren't going to get the straight scoop.  That's like asking the manager of Wal Mart what's on sale at K-mart...  He's not going to tell you unless he thinks he can offer you a better deal.  

Get online, do some research.  All you have to do is google your state and homeschooling and you'll get the laws right there...  Few states are complicated, and the ones that aren't user-friendly; aren't exactly impossible...

So, you can do it...

As far as the rest of your questions, I believe they were answered fairly well by the others...

You will have more socialization and opportunity than you can handle... If you CHOOSE to do it.  You'll only sit around the house bored out of your mind browsing internet chat groups if you choose to do that instead.

Field trips, theater events, classes, volunteering, working... You name it, you can do it.  But, don't ask me...  I'm a social events coordinator for a large homeschool group, so I'm slightly biased myself.

PS...  This information from the same poster is not true at all...

"...Homeschooled students need to be periodically tested by state officials to make sure the students are meeting the requirements and doing their work (instead of lazing around all day at home ^_^). These agencies have the authority to grant to you your high school diploma WHEN you've met all of the requirements and completed all of the necessary steps."

Some states do test at certain levels, but the rest of this is pure fiction...  Read the laws for your state...

Answer 5

***Note: This is general information and you should really contact your current high school counselor for the specific information based on your state/city/district. :D***

I would have to say not being able to interact with your fellow classmates and partake in academic discussion would be the cons. Since you sound like you've been going to a private/public school, you should have many experience with those aspects.

Homeschooled students can join clubs and try out for athletic teams at their designated homeschool in your area, so they aren't entirely isolated. You just need to go to that school and tell the people in the office and talk to the athletic director or someone who can help you join clubs and organizations.

Colleges do not discriminate homeschooled students at all, even if it's not the conventional way of obtaining your high school diploma. It doesn't hurt or increase your chances of admission to colleges at all, since higher education institutions are "supposed" to be non-discriminatory. :D

If you choose to be homeschooled, you need to talk to your current high school counselor so (s)he can give you contact information of the authorities who direct such things. Homeschooled students need to be periodically tested by state officials to make sure the students are meeting the requirements and doing their work (instead of lazing around all day at home ^_^). These agencies have the authority to grant to you your high school diploma WHEN you've met all of the requirements and completed all of the necessary steps.

It really depends on what you prefer as your personal choice. For me, I think online would be better because it promotes individual thought. Granted, your parents can help you and all. :D Either way is fine, but I prefer the online method. It seems faster since you can go at your own pace. :) This is why you see students going off to college when they're 14 years old. -_-

I hope I've answered all of your questions.

Good luck! :D

Answer 6

go to this website.. i am online schooled and in the 10th grade

insightca.net

Answer 7

I had these concerns as well when I first started out. The only thing I don't like about it is not being able to see my friends as often.

Things you could do outside of school is you can play sports. My old high school still lets me play for them even though I left. I'm pretty sure that all schools do that (don't take my word for it though).

And no it doesn't hurt your chances of becoming a psychologist. I was really concerned about the colleges accepting me too. But they actually prefer a lot of homeschooling students because they already know how to study and take schooling seriously. So no it shouldn't hurt your chances...just keep your grades up.

I do my homeschooling online. I think it is better to do it this way because you don't have the pressure put on you by your parents. I don't know about anybody else but at times I don't like listening to my parents and I think that if they were to teach me, I'd have trouble listening. lol :)

Hope this helps

Answer 8

Hi ,

I am a home school mom , and I can say that your first concern will not be a problem. My children during summer they enjoy swimming lessons and they get to meet other children from different traditional schools. Not only swimming, I am sure you can find other extra curricular activities like lessons in music .

Homeschooling is a partnership between parents and children. Both of you can think of activities you can do outside like weekend field trips to nearby provinces . You can study about their main products and livelihoods. A visit to a manufacturing plant , food chains, banks , travel agency and other private or government establishments . All you have to do is to be creative, what we usually do is send them a letter and get an appointment for a possible tour and a short interview from them.

I go for traditional home schooling because I have 4 children and it's not possible for us to go on line because we only have 2 computers.

Answer 9

Well, most people will tell you on here there is no social problem, whether or not that is true shouldn’t make a difference. I highly doubt that it will affect/bother you. You should just maintain contact with your friends. As for activities at home, you should still be able to partake in sports at your school, If not go to your local recreation center. Unfortunately I have no way of knowing whether or not motivation will be a problem. It definitely has been for me. Don’t do your work in a room with a television for obvious reasons. It’s basically a self control problem. There is very little incentive in public schools to do your work, let alone at home. At school I basically did my work so I didn’t get in trouble, at home, well... I’m not sure what kind of mother you have but mine makes good use of our wooden spoons. As for your degree, after you graduate you simply go to the high school and they give you one (there may be a test involved, and it may differ from state to state). I’m not there yet, I’m only a junior. I’m not sure what program you use, but it shouldn’t be a problem getting into a college, you will have to take the ACT or SAT, just as you would in public school, and that is what the colleges look to when accepting students. And you can take the test as many times as you need to, they will look at your best test. The only way of home schooling I have tried is having an academy (Bob Jones University in this case) keep track of your grades and curriculum, and arrange the required tests for you. I enjoy it, both my parents work so it is more me teaching myself, and my grades turn out well. I hope this has been helpful to you, feel free to email me any more questions.