Home school vs public school?

RubyRed8067

I wouldn't homeschool. I would put them in a college prep school where their classes would be more advanced than in a public school, the class rooms would be smaller, and PS take awesome field trips. I was in private from montessori until 8th. That's why when I went to public schools, I was in all advanced and AP classes.

NuclearMosquito

I was homeschooled from third grade until I graduated. The older I got, the more I could self-teach from the curriculum. I could go to my parents when I had questions (Dad was a math whiz, and Mom was an English nerd, which I inherited). My older brother was homeschooled from fifth grade on, and my little sister was homeschooled her whole life. It was nice for us younger children to be able to sit at the same table and hear the same lessons as someone older than us. In fact, because I tested so well I was able to skip a grade. My diploma is dated 5 days after I turned 17.

For our high school years we went through a satellite school. They would send us placement tests and their recommended curriculum. We sent in all our assignments and tests to be graded. It worked out well, and we had official report cards to show anyone questioning our schooling method.

In addition to our textbooks, we took field trips to the zoo, the art and history museums, and various other historical attractions in St. Louis. We also purchased a decent microscope and slides, and we dissected frogs. I consider myself to have a very well-rounded education, and I would never go back and change it for any reason.

Nerdy_Rose

So, how in the world do they study science, math and chemistry? I mean, I doubt you're doing acid/base titrations in the kitchen. How qualified is the person teaching? How do they test them to make sure they are on the same level (or above) their public schooled peers are? How do they interact with kids their own age (non-hs kids/kids outside the church)? It's up to the parents on what they want to do with their kid's education though....I've just always been curious.

My father (an engineer) taught us algebra and geometry (I was 13). After one horrific and useless year in public school, I transferred to the local community college (age 15) where I took trig, calculus, organic chemistry and all that jazz. I received my associate's degree at age 18 at the same time as I took the GED test.

During the time I was homeschooled, my sister and I took yearly standardized tests to make sure we weren't falling behind from being homeschooled. We weren't. I was reading at a senior in high school level, according to the public school system, at the age of 12.

I regret nothing about my upbringing.

CaitySins

I think it depends on the person. I'm shy and wouldn't really go out (for a walk or anything) less I had a purpose to (i.e. had to go shops, meeting up with someone etc). So if I was home-schooled I probably would have never made any friends at all. For someone who's more outgoing and confident they wouldn't have a problem walking up to strangers they have no connection to and making friends.

I think though as long as the parent/tutor is good at actually inspiring their kid and teaches the same stuff on a curriculum that's examined to give a proper qualification. There's no point really spending a lot of time "schooling" someone on something that wouldn't help them in real life situation for jobs and university (e.g. spending 5 days a week teaching a kid to fish using hunting badgers. Sure, do that as a hobby, but not as "the curriculum"). Other than that I wouldn't think there's a problem or real need to compare the two if they both produce successful (and unfortunately unsuccessful) results.

However, I think with public/grammar schools there's more specialist, who can extend information beyond the curriculum home-teachers are given. A parent who is terrible at math is not going to be that great teaching their child the subject they themselves find hard to understand.

Joreanasaurous

I know kids who turned out amazing and some who ended up running away from home to get out from under their parents control. Some were successful and some were druggies. I could say the same for kids who went to public schools. I think it just depends on the parents and the kids.

Aviva92

I think it depends on the person. I'm shy and wouldn't really go out (for a walk or anything) less I had a purpose to (i.e. had to go shops, meeting up with someone etc). So if I was home-schooled I probably would have never made any friends at all. For someone who's more outgoing and confident they wouldn't have a problem walking up to strangers they have no connection to and making friends.

I was pretty shy growing up, but I have the opposite view. Kids were pretty mean in public school. I would have rather had avoided that by being homeschooled. Public school is no better than prison.

JustANumber85

I went to public school and yes I "turned out fine"....but thats not the "fine" i want for my children.

Now I will say this and you can take it how you will:
my 7yr old is in public school. My 6 and 4yr olds are homeschooled. My 7 yr old does not know more than my 6yr old (both of them are in 2nd grade). He is sick more often. He also has a bigger workload than my 6yr old. They are also talking about holding him back. My 4yr old is doing Kindergarten work and breezing through it, she wouldnt even be in public K until NEXT fall! Shell be in 1st grade by then at home. All of my children get socialization- we go to Girl Scouts, Church, Homeschool groups, Play dates, MOPS, MOMSnext. They know how to play with children. They know how to interact.

I live in OH, its a pretty lax state as far as laws- not as lax as Kentucky, but pretty relaxed. There are some states that require even more than OH. To give you an idea of the laws- look at hslda.org and search by your state. There are NO requirements for parents to teach their children (meaning we dont need a degree) BUT most states have some sort of testing for your children (a standard test/portfolio/etc). I am required to teach a certain number of hours (im not restricted to this as far as going over but it must be at least a certain number. I am required to teach certain subjects but the state does not define what is covered in those. For example: First Aid. I cover that in Girl Scouts. Gym. A play date at the park covers it.

IF anyone is interested in HSing, I would highly recommend looking at your state laws, then finding a local homeschool group and going to 1 meeting and then go from there. Homeschooling meant to be an alternative NOT a replica of PS!

RunIntheMud

I think it's all a matter of personal preference. As long as the children are able to learn and socialize in a safe environment, it shouldn't matter to anyone else how it happens.

rileysowner

How do they interact with kids their own age (non-hs kids/kids outside the church)?

The whole socialization thing is constantly brought up. First, home-schooled children spend time with other home-schooled children at various events. Second, they are socialized with people, not just there peer group. I think a big downfall of schools is that children tend to end up way over socialized with their peer group, but very unsocialized outside of it. My experience with home-schooled children is they are generally able to socialize well with children and adults of all ages rather than just their peers and family. To say home-schooling negatively effects socialization also neglects to observe the many anti-social behaviours children pick up at school. Overall it is a straw man that really should have no bearing on whether a person home-schools or not.

MyPsalm63

I Homeschool my children and wouldn't change it for anything. This is what's right for my kids . Some kids do better in Public, Private or Charter schools. Mine are doing Fantastic with Homeschooling.

Marla64

My only problem with home schoolers is when the parents are ignorant, lazy, or teach the Bible instead of fact. I've seen some wonderful homeschooler parents and kids. I've also seen some 10yr olds who were illiterate because mom did an "unschool" and let the kid learn what they wanted and the kid only wanted to learn TV and video games.

I've home schooled my children since 1994.... Lord willing, I'll be done sometime in the next, um, 10 years or so....lol.

But, I couldn't agree more with this statement.

I've known some kids like you mentioned. It wasn't that the kids wanted video games and TV, but little Hannah didn't like her nasty old math book, so Mommy had Hannah bake a cake....and that was math class. 1/2 c of oil + 1/2 c of water = 1 c of fluid total.

Um, okay-- true enough, I guess-- 1/2 + 1/2 = 1

but, little Hannah grew up to be an illiterate dolt, as did her numerous siblings.

It's hard work-- I don't do it perfectly-- never have, never will. But done well, it produces well educated children. And with effort, the socialization that everyone worries about is not a problem, either.

You know, we home school families actually do live in, gasp, real neighborhoods. We have real, live, flesh and blood neighbor kids as playmates for our kids. We really do participate in team sports in our towns. It's not just church and home school groups for some of us. Personally, I belong to neither.

I'm the rare mix of a proponent and opponent of home schooling....

Go figure.