Homeschooling is an educational choice increasing in popularity among modern American families and has quickly become an accepted alternative to traditional schooling. Studies show that homeschoolers typically perform better academically, but it remains a question whether this education method serves as a lasting advantage in life.
In this article, we explore the effects of homeschooling on life outcomes and provide a comprehensive answer to the question: Do homeschool kids do well in life?
1: Characteristics of Homeschool Kids
When discussing homeschooled children, it is important to understand who they are and what types of families make the homeschooling choice. Generally, homeschoolers come from diverse backgrounds, but there are certain common threads in the decision to homeschool.
Homeschooled children often live in families who are religiously motivated, have limited resources, or have parents who prioritize the freedom of an individualized curriculum. Furthermore, homeschooling is most often an intentional choice, with parents hoping to provide their children with the best possible education for their needs.
2: Advantages of Homeschooling
Homeschooling provides numerous advantages to students and their families. First, homeschooling offers an individualized curriculum which allows students to learn at their own pace and become more engaged in their studies. Additionally, students can gain beneficial life skills such as self-sufficiency and discipline while being at home.
Furthermore, homeschooling allows students to pursue their specific interests and allows them to access Internet courses and other forms of educational materials. It also avoids distractions such as TV, bullies, and drugs which are found in traditional schools.
3: Does Homeschooling Benefit Students Long-term?
The short answer is yes, homeschooling does have long-term benefits for students. Compared to traditional school educated students, studies have found that homeschooled kids make the transition from school to college with more independence, self-confidence and better study habits.
Furthermore, homeschoolers often score much higher on tests such as the SAT, sometimes up to 15-20% higher than the average. This higher test score is accentuated by the fact that many homeschoolers participate in activities such as language classes and sports outside of their home and can prepare for college with greater purposefulness.
4: Do Homeschooled Students Have Stronger Social Skills?
Many people believe that students who are educated at home lack the important social skills they need to flourish in society as adults. However, research shows that in many cases, the opposite can be true.
Studies indicate that homeschooled students may actually have stronger social skills than those who were traditionally schooled. Homeschoolers often have more stimulating social engagements with peers their own age and participate in extra-curricular activities of interest, allowing them to fine-tune their social skills more than students attending traditional schools.
5: Are Homeschoolers Prepared for the Working World?
Given the concerns around socialization in the homeschooling environment, questions about the preparedness of homeschoolers for the working world are understandable. In reality, homeschoolers have been found to have a leg up when it comes to being prepared for the working world.
For example, homeschoolers often receive more career guidance and develop an early investment in their future career paths due to their personalized curriculum. Furthermore, these students often received independent work experience while still in school, which can serve as a great advantage when they begin their adult life.
6: Are Homeschoolers Accepted by College Admissions?
Just like the broader population, homeschooled students often have college ambitions. One issue that can sometimes be a source of anxiety is the thought of competing for acceptance into college with traditionally schooled peers. Fortunately, research suggests that homeschoolers have an advantage when it comes to college applications, with studies finding that colleges view homeschoolers with as much value and respect as their traditional schooled counterparts.
7: Do Homeschoolers Have Lower Stress Levels?
When compared to traditional schooled students, homeschoolers have been found to have more manageable levels of stress. Homeschoolers are found to be better able to regulate their feelings and emotions and are often more resilient in response to stressful situations in general.
This is attributed to the freedom that comes with homeschooling which allows students to pursue activities they find interesting and engaging, potentially producing better mental health outcomes.
8: Are Homeschoolers Less Socially Isolated?
Homeschoolers can sometimes be seen as socially isolated, devoid of meaningful relationships with peers and family. In reality, this is rarely the case.
Besides spending time with their family, homeschoolers have plenty of opportunities to interact with their peers on their own terms. As mentioned previously, these students often participate in group sports or outings to museums or other activities, allowing them to socialize in a way that traditional schooled students would not be able to.
9: Do Homeschooled Kids Have Healthy Non-academic Habits?
Having an education does not always guarantee healthy habits. While traditional schooled students may become tired of the often monotonous nature of the school environment, homeschoolers may find themselves with more freedom and subsequently engage in unhealthy habits. However, research suggests that this is not the case.
Instead, homeschoolers often have better norms and habits regarding nutrition, sleep and physical activity, a likely result of their supervised learning environment.
10: How Do Homeschoolers Cope with Change?
Change can be difficult for anybody, including homeschoolers. It is important that these students are able to adjust to new situations and people, something that is often lacking in traditional schools.
Fortunately, research has found that homeschoolers often have better coping skills compared to those who have traditionally attended school. Furthermore, homeschoolers are found to be better able to adapt and adjust to changing circumstances than traditional schooled students.
11: Do Homeschooled Students Have Better Academic Records?
Homeschooling is often associated with academic excellence. This can be attributed to the individualized curriculums which allow for more effective and tailored learning.
Another advantage for homeschooled students is the range of educational materials available online and the increase in supplemental classes and educational endeavors available outside of the home environment. As a result, homeschooled students often have higher GPAs and better collegiate outcomes than traditionally schooled students.
12: Are Homeschoolers Involved in Their Communities?
Homeschooling can sometimes isolate students from the community. However, this is not always the case.
Homeschoolers often find sources of socialization and sense of community beyond their home and can pursue interests and passions in their towns. Through activities such as participating in local athletics, volunteering, or engaging with other families and children, homeschoolers can and often do maintain an involved presence and deep connection with their local community.
13: Summary of Benefits for Homeschoolers
In conclusion, there are significant advantages for homeschooled children which have long lasting impacts on their later life. Homeschoolers have higher GPAs, higher test scores and better college preparedness than traditionally schooled students.
Additionally, homeschoolers boast better nonacademic habits and have higher levels of self-sufficiency as a result of their individualized curriulum. Contrary to popular belief, homeschoolers also have higher levels of socialization, more activity with peers and their community, and great coping skills.
Conclusion
The evidence overwhelmingly indicates that homeschoolers have the advantage when it comes to succeeding in life. From higher GPAs to better social skills to greater self-sufficiency, homeschooling provides lasting advantages that give these students a clear edge over traditional schooling. When posed with the question ‘Do homeschool kids do well in life?
’, the answer is a resounding yes.