You can design a solid high school program that both maximizes educational freedom and leads to successful college admission. Homeschooling High School prepares you to proceed with confidence.

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CHAPTER ONE

Is high school at home the right choice for your family? Before you can answer that question, you will need to understand what it takes to homeschool through high school. You must proceed with your eyes open to the realities—the advantages, the disadvantages, the possible consequences, and most of all, the priceless rewards that await you. For when the going gets rough, as it almost always does, you will need the commitment to press on to the finish line. Perhaps you are already homeschooling and are unsure whether to continue through high school. Maybe you are considering homeschooling for the first time. In either case, it is important that you know what to expect.

As with almost any endeavor, teaching high school at home has both advantages and disadvantages. Most homeschoolers believe that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages because of the ability to alleviate problems and fill any gaps in a student’s education. Nothing offered in traditional schools can replace the unique benefits homeschooling has to offer.

Advantages of Home High Schooling
Why should you consider teaching your high school student? If you are already a home educator, your original reasons for homeschooling during younger grades are still valid in high school. In fact, the high school years might be the most crucial time to educate your children because they are the final years of preparation for adulthood.

Philosophical Freedom
Teaching your children at home has numerous benefits. The most valuable is probably the freedom you have to direct your children’s learning. Because you are in control of the education your students receive, you can insist that school subjects are taught from your worldview, or at least you can make sure that your worldview is accurately represented.

In addition, your children at home are free from the peer dependence and undesirable influences found in traditional schools. Students will not be carrying drugs and weapons in your school, and your students will not have to contend with daily sexual pressure and personal criticism.

Homeschool veteran Marty Bigger does not think her children missed anything important by being homeschooled through high school. “There are some negatives they missed, but that’s what I wanted them to miss,” she says. “It’s so unreal to spend all your time at a desk eight hours a day, or whatever. That’s not real life. You have to work and interact with all ages, not just your age.”

There is freedom of religion in the homeschool that is not found in the public schools. Every homeschool course is a potential forum for discussion and application of your faith to life and learning. The Bible admonishes parents to teach God’s commandments to their children and “talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:4–8). Homeschoolers have ample time to do this.

Academic Excellence
Academic excellence is another advantage of homeschooling. As both teacher and parent, you can closely monitor your students’ progress. You can encourage excellence and ensure that your students leave high school with the skills necessary to succeed in college and life. Parents seldom monitor their children’s progress in traditional schools as carefully as they do in homeschools, simply because homeschool teachers continually have close contact with their students and are ultimately responsible for the results.

Since homeschooling is a tutoring type of learning environment, your students receive daily feedback and personal attention. They also have more motivation to direct their own education. These factors usually result in higher academic achievement.

“Our homeschooled applicants are extremely well prepared academically,” says Mike Williams of Harding University. “Their academic preparation typically is self-directed and initiated, which builds strong research skills. Since many of them work at their own pace, many will go far beyond a traditional curriculum.”

For those subjects you do not teach or your student does not study independently, you have the opportunity to select the kind of teachers you want to influence your students. For our daughter, Christine, we chose outside instructors with high moral and academic standards and enthusiasm for their subjects. Because we are Christians, most of the instructors we chose were Christians as well. Experts in various subjects can teach your students in a classroom, internship, apprenticeship, or online setting. Apprenticeships are especially popular among homeschoolers for gaining valuable training and work experience.

Self-Motivation
To a large extent, homeschool students are self-motivated and self-taught, even when parents direct the education. As they mature, children often develop strong interests in one or two specific areas. Whereas traditional school schedules generally do not allow enough time to accommodate individual interests, homeschooling does. The high-school years are the ideal time for students to hone their talents or to delve into intriguing subjects.

Homeschoolers repeatedly prove that students who have been taught how to learn can teach themselves almost anything with the right materials. For example, homeschooler Catherine Musselman wanted to study oceanography, so she asked Scripps Oceanographic Institution to recommend an oceanography textbook. They suggested a college-level book. Undaunted, this ambitious eighth grader ordered it and completed the course. Her sister Christie had an interest in medicine during tenth grade. She found someone to lend her the voluminous, unabridged Gray’s Anatomy and read it in her spare time.

Catherine and Christie are not exceptions among homeschooled students. It is not uncommon for homeschoolers to enroll in college courses or to finish high school several years ahead of their peers. The children in the famous Swann family typically completed their master’s degrees by correspondence at age sixteen.2

Although home high schooling is a full-time commitment for most parents (usually mothers) who do it, some parents who wish to homeschool cannot devote full time to teaching their children. Dr. Arthur Robinson developed a self-teaching program for his six children so that they could continue homeschooling after their mother died. The plan was ideal for him as a single parent, and he now sells his program to other homeschoolers who are interested in a self-teaching curriculum. (See Appendix B for this and other options.)

Self-taught courses are a good idea. They build self-discipline, independence, and self-confidence. However, when parents are available to teach, I think it is better for them to teach some courses, or at least to discuss lesson topics with students on a regular basis. Much of the value in home education is the interaction students have with mature adults, especially parents who love them and care about their education. When you depend solely on a self-taught curriculum, others—the curriculum writers—are educating your students instead of you, and that partially defeats the purpose of homeschooling, no matter how wonderful the resources.

Practical Advantages
If you have homeschooled before, you have no doubt experienced the convenience of being able to use the library and other community resources, such as museums and galleries, when they are less crowded. As homeschoolers you are free to adjust your school schedule to allow for family vacations, illnesses, and educational travel. This scheduling flexibility also allows students to accept part-time jobs during the day when other students are not available to work.

With careful scheduling, your students may be able to complete high school early, finish high school with more credits than required, or get a head start on college. If students want to participate in some local high school classes or activities, this involvement is an option if the school allows it. However, classes at a local community college or four-year college might be more beneficial, especially if students can earn dual credit. It is common for homeschool students to complete college courses locally or by correspondence while still in high school. Often they earn enough credits to enter college as sophomores or juniors.

Family Benefits
Some would not consider it an advantage having their family together all hours of the day and night. The strain of the turbulent teen years wreaks havoc on many families. Relationships between parents and their teenage children may deteriorate, and siblings often grow apart. My sister and I, for example, were best friends growing up, but we became virtual strangers during high school. We were too busy with our own friends, activities, and homework to have time for each other or the rest of our family. A similar scenario was repeated with our younger brother and sister. Again and again I have watched loving sibling relationships strained during junior high and high school by peer relationships, stress, or apathy.

Homeschoolers generally escape these problems, and family unity has become a hallmark of homeschool life. Apparently, daily togetherness develops understanding that helps most families escape serious relational problems. Homeschool teens generally enjoy spending time with younger siblings, and they actually converse with their parents and other adults, unlike the seeming majority of their traditionally schooled peers. During home high school, the parent/child relationship is enhanced because the lines of communication remain open. These students do not have to prove their worth constantly, because they know they are loved. Homeschooling has helped to destroy the myth of quality time. It is the large quantity of time parents give and the devotion they show to their growing children that I believe is the chief reason for the success of homeschooling.

Marty Bigger’s children are in their twenties. She says, “We’re still very, very close, and we always have been. I think that’s due to homeschooling. We were always there for [our children], so they’re always there for us.”

Homeschoolers are not perfect, though. They periodically struggle just like everyone else, especially if they are teens who have become peer dependent through unbridled participation in church and social activities.

College Interest
Colleges are also discovering the unique qualities that often result from homeschooling. Because of the high level of maturity, self-discipline, and academic preparation home-educated students have demonstrated, many colleges actively recruit them.

Disadvantages of High School at Home
Before making your final decision about homeschooling, you should be aware of some drawbacks to teaching your high schoolers.

Academic and Practical Disadvantages
Obviously, public and private schools have resources, activities, and equipment that homeschool families usually cannot afford. Most schools have modern computers, science labs, competitive sports, debate teams, real theatres, complete orchestras and marching bands, and numerous clubs. These group activities offer students the opportunity to learn cooperation and to develop leadership skills. Schools also may participate in state and national competitions that may not be open to homeschoolers. Groups and competitions not only have intrinsic value but also enhance college applications. Homeschool support groups can provide some similar opportunities, but traditional high schools generally have better resources and more activities to choose from.

One disadvantage of homeschooling is that parents are forced to wear many hats. In traditional high schools, the history teacher does not have to add algebra, English, foreign languages, science, Bible, and art to his or her teaching schedule. Homeschoolers not only have to teach (or provide teachers for) all their students’ subjects but also have to teach continuing classes like math at each progressive level. For students who primarily teach themselves, parents need to grade work, keep records, and ensure that students cover the subjects thoroughly enough to earn credit. Obviously, home high schooling requires enormous commitment on the part of both parents and students.

Another potential disadvantage of home high schooling stems from the fact that parents are often their students’ only teachers. Unless they take outside classes or learn from videos of other teachers, these students may miss the benefits of being exposed to a variety of teachers and teaching styles. Nothing is more inspirational to students than teachers who are passionate about their disciplines and who challenge pupils to achieve their highest potential. Granted, teachers of that caliber are not the norm, but they can be found at every level of education from kindergarten through graduate school.

Administrative Difficulties
Homeschool parents also have to act as guidance counselors. Not only is this more difficult for parents, but also this creates problems for college admissions departments. With limited information, admissions committees have to choose candidates with the best potential for success on their campuses. Comparing students from a wide spectrum of schools is already difficult because student populations and grading systems vary. Homeschool applicants further complicate the process because their grades may not demonstrate how they compare with other students. Also, human nature being what it is, colleges cannot be sure that parents have graded their children objectively.

“They all have high GPAs,” says Jeff Palm, Associate Director of Admission at Hawaii Pacific University. “That’s why it’s hard to make a determination. We need something that’s standardized.”

Some colleges are satisfied with parent-prepared transcripts, student portfolios, and/or interviews. Other colleges, such as the Colorado School of Mines, verify homeschoolers’ high GPAs with SAT or ACT scores. “For homeschooled students, because so little weight can be given to the transcript in terms of what the GPA means or how the student has competed among a group of peers, a lot more weight is given to standardized test scores, either the SAT or ACT. So if test scores are strong, we judge the transcript to be strong. If test scores are weak, we judge the transcript to be weak. That’s about the only way we’ve found to objectively evaluate homeschooled students,” says Bill Young, Director of Admissions.

Rodney Miller, Dean of Records and Registrar at Covenant College, concurs. “The Admissions Committee and other scholarship committees view a home school GPA as helpful, but we place greater weight on the standardized test scores. A student with a 4.0 GPA is questioned if he has a 720 SAT total. A student with a 4.0 and a 1300 SAT total has confirmed [his] academic preparation.”

Limited Freedom
Your state’s laws or the requirements of the college your student will eventually attend might limit your choice of methods for homeschooling during high school. Many colleges prefer grades that have been documented by a reputable outside organization. If grades and high school graduation have not been certified, some colleges require that homeschool students earn a GED, which is a high school equivalency certificate obtained by passing an examination. Also, if your child will be applying for federal financial aid, proof of graduation or an acceptable score on an ability-to-benefit test may be required unless your homeschool meets certain criteria. (See chapter 6.) College admissions and financial aid officers can help you determine your high school options.

Because the requirements of colleges vary, it is important to begin the college search process early so that you will be prepared with any documentation you need. The table of college homeschool requirements in Appendix A details the information requested from homeschoolers by most of the over 260 colleges that participated in my survey. The information was correct at the time of publication. However, you should check with individual colleges to find out whether their homeschool policies have changed.

Possible Extra Requirements
Homeschoolers sometimes complain that colleges discriminate by imposing stricter admissions standards on them than on other applicants. Many colleges do require certified diplomas, GEDs, or extra testing for homeschoolers. This is in spite of the fact that home-educated students have generally proven themselves to be academically prepared for college through their standardized-test scores and subsequent success in college. (On the average, homeschoolers tend to score as high as or higher than public school students on national tests, which was verified by Ray3 and my own survey of colleges.)

In some cases of extra requirements, prejudice may play a factor. However, such policies are prompted more often by either lack of exposure to homeschoolers or caution based on prior experience. At some colleges, homeschoolers actually caused the imposition of stricter standards through inadequate academic preparation or uncooperative attitudes. For example, one school told me that it has had to tighten its policies because a few of its homeschooled students were not prepared for college-level study. All homeschoolers should strive to complete a quality education that meets or exceeds the standards of the public schools. If every homeschooler did that, colleges would have no valid reason to require extra testing for the majority of homeschool applicants who have received an excellent education.

If your students choose to apply to institutions that have additional requirements for homeschoolers, they will have to play by the colleges’ rules for the time being. They can strive to change the rules, but schools have the right to set their own entrance requirements. State colleges and universities often have these rules imposed on them by other state officials or legislatures, so any changes would have to be made at that level.

Potential Social Problems
Every homeschooler has been asked the question at least fifty times. Say it with me now. “What about socialization?” In general, socialization is not a problem for homeschoolers, most of whom are active in their communities and churches and get along well with all ages. However, some homeschooled students have been too sheltered and do not know how to interact with people outside their family circle. If your students are introverts, you really should find ways to help them reach out and interact with others. They will not be happy in college or in life if they do not conquer their fears. Help them find talents to share, sports to play, or needs to fill. Try not to force them too far beyond their comfort level all at once. Make it a gradual but steady process. Eventually they will surprise even themselves.

Do not let potential disadvantages discourage you from homeschooling your teens. As you weigh the pros and cons of homeschooling your children through high school, consider how you might alleviate some of the difficulties by enlisting the help of others.

Does Your Family Have What It Takes?
Obviously, there are many ways to solve potential problems if you choose to homeschool your high schoolers. But how can you be sure that homeschooling at this level—or homeschooling at all, if you have never done it—is the right choice for you and your family?

What kind of family is successful at homeschooling? The most important quality seems to be commitment, but there are other factors that work together to help homeschooling families thrive, such as parents’ reasons for teaching and their children’s attitudes about learning at home.

Your Involvement: More Important Than Your Credentials
Someone recently asked me how homeschool teachers without any college training could possibly teach their students high school courses. Perhaps you are worried that your own education is inadequate for teaching high school. Michael Farris, Chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association and President of Patrick Henry College, writes that hard work and parental involvement are the only two keys to educational success. Brian Ray’s home education study supports that statement. Dr. Ray found that even among parents who did not finish high school, “a parent’s education background has no substantive effect on their [sic] children’s home school academic performance.”4 The homeschool students in this study averaged between the 80th and 90th percentiles in nationally standardized tests, regardless of their parents’ level of education. Race was also not a factor in the performance of these homeschooled students, although it was a factor among public school students.5

The majority of homeschooling mothers I have met either did not attend college or attended for only one or two years. Yet these same women are producing National Merit Scholars, honor students, and other exemplary students. The strength of homeschooling is not in the formal education of homeschool teachers. Rather it is in their commitment to the excellence of their children’s education. Most homeschool parents expect and require their children to work hard, and they are willing to forego life’s luxuries to provide the best curriculum available. Most of all, they are willing to give of their time.

Your Reasons for Homeschooling
Before you make a final decision about home high schooling, you need to decide why you are considering it. I have already listed several excellent reasons for teaching your own children. If you think you can do a better job than the schools, you probably can, although you might need to make use of some outside resources. If your students have unusual interests or special needs, homeschooling might be your answer. If you want to pass on your faith and improve family relationships, homeschooling is ideal.

However, if you want to homeschool simply because a friend does it, or because you think it will be more convenient, or because your children want to avoid studying, then send them to school. The title “homeschooler” is not a glorified name for “dropout.” Homeschoolers are dedicated teachers and students who care about quality education. Homeschooling requires incredible commitment, and those who persevere know that it is worth the cost.

Your Teens’ Attitudes About Homeschooling
Talk with your teens before removing them from public or private school. If they are enthusiastic about homeschooling, it will be easy to work together on your plans for their high school education. Sometimes parents feel that they must homeschool their children, even though their teens are against it. Forcing them to homeschool may not be the best idea, although a few years ago one homeschooling magazine featured a letter from a grateful teen whose parents had done just that. You know your children best. Do what you believe will benefit them the most.

Your Teens’ Social Concerns
Marty Bigger has seen parents take their children out of school and then find their children obsessed with going back to be with their friends. She said that once children get into the school mold, you have to prepare them well for homeschooling by changing their whole way of thinking because, for many students, high school is like a big social club. Bigger’s daughter Rachelle was in school off and on as she grew up.

“She’d always say when she came back home the next year, ‘Well, that was fun because I got to be with my friends, but now I’m going to learn something.’”

Young people need to understand that homeschooling is not equivalent to living as a hermit. Homeschoolers actually report having more time for friends and other outside activities. Studying at home gives students the opportunity to concentrate on their studies without the distractions of those schoolmates who have little interest in learning. They can go at their own pace and spend more time on the subjects and extracurricular activities that interest them. For students and parents who are committed to doing it well, homeschooling offers the best of both worlds.

The Rewards
The beauty of homeschooling is that you can do what works best for your family. You have flexibility and control over the curriculum, your students are allowed to develop their potential in a nonthreatening environment (although homeschool parents have been known to threaten reluctant students), and you can enjoy being together. As you will see from the college survey results in chapter 8, homeschooling can provide many academic and character-development benefits, as well.

If you are a Christian, keep in mind that it is extremely important to seek God’s will in all decisions related to your children’s education. If you feel that God wants you to homeschool your teens, you should do it. He never asks you to do something without giving you the power to accomplish it. If you are still unsure, pray about it and follow your heart. God will guide you. Trust Him. After all, He knows what your children’s futures hold, and our Father really knows best.

Perhaps you still need more information before making the commitment to homeschool through high school. The next chapter provides a blueprint for you to follow for successful home high schooling.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8 NIV)

Excerpted from Chapter 1. Edited for length.