Home school vs public school?

I was homeschooled from 5th grade through high school and I wouldn't change it for anything. I loved being homeschooled and I still have a lot of friends and was never antisocial.

We home school. My oldest two graduated this past year. Four more to go. It has been awesome. Any way, a little off topic, my school district receives over six grand per year for each one of my children that we register with them. That's over thirty six thousand dollars a year as of last year! I could only imagine what my family could have done with that money privately for education. I pay school taxes. I also invest thousands per year toward our home school. With that money we would have the best computers, field trips, tutors, you name it. I think that thought puts things into some perspective concerning public schools.

With that said, home schooling is not for everyone it's a huge commitment on many levels! I trust your parents will make the best decision for you family they can. They are in the best relationship to do so!

Homeschooled. Social. Dazzling personality. Incredibly intelligent. Three higher education degrees. Works for a multinational company. Pretty much the most awesome person ever.

After watching the pitiful downward spiral of my public school district over the past 30 years, I would try very hard to homeschool if I had school age kids anymore. I did homeschool my youngest for a year after issues with a principal who was more interested in her political powers than in student education. After that one year a different principal who had known me for years and wanted my son in her school finally talked me into transferring him there and told me how to make the district pay for it. The previous principal got all on her high horse saying my son would need all kinds of remedial courses because he had been "out of school" for a year. She shut it real fast when he went in and WON the district spelling bee the first week back. In hindsight, I wish I had continued homeschooling him. This school system is far more focused on socialization than on education. The good principal and so many good teachers were driven out for political reasons. I wouldn't want my kids in what it has become now.

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.

There is a LOT of homechooling supplies, curriculum ect on the internet and there are a lot of stores that sell homeschool supplies. Science kits, chemistry kits ect.You just have to look. Testing really depends on what the laws are where the students live as each state has its own laws wich range from very strict to basically no regualtion at all. Parents take care of socialization needs by forming homeschooling groups where they also share resources, hold classes ect.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.