Many parents, even some who have confidently
homeschooled through the elementary grades, wonder if they should send
their child to a traditional school for high school. Some are concerned
about the challenge of teaching higher level courses. Others consider
social issues, such as sports, prom, and graduation. This is a personal
decision which must be considered by individual families, but here are 5
reasons to continue homeschooling through high school.
1.
Academics.
Statistically, homeschool students score higher on college entrance
exams such as the ACT. Many universities actively recruit
homeschoolers, as they know they are independent learners who will
take their education seriously. What about those higher level
courses that scare some parents, such as chemistry or physics? Join
a homeschool co-op that offers such courses, or take advantage of
the many online
courses now available.
2. Apprenticeships.
Homeschooling allows students to explore their interests to
determine a future career. Flexible scheduling makes it possible to
set up apprenticeships or internships in the student's fields of
interest. Better to decide that you don't want to be a veterinarian
after an internship than after many (expensive) years of college!
Apprenticeships and internships, as well as job shadowing, can help
a student who is not yet sure which career they want, to make an
informed choice.
3. Family Values.
Some parents choose homeschooling to instill their own values and
worldview into their children, rather than the values taught (by
word or example) at the local traditional school. If you started
homeschooling for this reason, why change now? High school students
still need guidance in making good choices. In some cases, they may
need you more at 15 than they did at 5!
4. Peer Pressure.
How many times have you read or heard about a "good kid from a good
family" who just got arrested or was the victim of a crime? Often
the kid got involved with the wrong group of people. Sometimes kids
cave in to peer pressure and do things they would never do on their
own. Continuing homeschooling gives them a chance to mature and make
choices without the pressure or influence of a peer group.
5.
Flexibility.
Homeschooling provides so much
flexibility that traditional schools cannot match. Students can work
full or part time while continuing their high school education.
Because homeschooling can be done any time of day, homeschool
students can often work day shifts not available to other students.
Flexibility in scheduling is a big plus for employers, making
homeschoolers an attractive pool of potential employees. Of course,
this flexibility could also allow a student to create his or her own
business and become an entrepreneur rather than an employee!
There are as many reasons to continue
homeschooling as there are reasons to start.
eLearningk12 offers an engaging, interactive and user
friendly curriculum.

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