Homeschooling vs. Public or Private Schools

I have learned from first-hand experience that homeschooling children often puts them ahead of the curve in terms of standardized test scores and academic performance.

I have also learned first-hand that putting them in school outside the home often keeps them ahead of the curve. When it comes to education inside or outside the home, one is not better than the other.

What counts above all else, is your patience and the time and commitment you put into your child's learning experience. There are pros and cons to both homeschooling, public education and private education. Deciding what is best for your child really comes down to schedule and lifestyle.

Homeschooling affords a family the freedom to educate on their own schedule, but it takes discipline to make sure your child is excelling at the curriculum you have outlined. As any homeschooling parent will attest, it's not all fun and games to educate your own children. If you're the type who enjoys waking up in the morning at a slow pace and having plenty of time for coffee and maybe a random afternoon trip to the shopping mall, homeschooling may not be the right choice for your child. You can't make a lesson out of everything and retail therapy is not exactly educational.

If you know you are absolutely dedicated to the idea of home education, possess patience, have some college or a degree under your belt, chances are, you will likely be successful in a homeschooling endeavor. 

Homeschooling is a colossal commitment and when it's done well, it sets a strong foundation in your child's academic abilities. Parents with college degrees who home school their children can also administer and report standardized test scores to the county.

Many home-schooled students find themselves easily transitioning to a public school when they feel the time is right. Curiosity is often the catalyst that makes a child want to experience a public school setting, but the decision should be one that children and parents make together. 

Making the change is often easier on children than it is on their parents. The good news is that parents who home-schooled their children soon find there are just as many ways to be involved with their child's education in a public school setting. This includes the obvious involvement opportunities such as classroom volunteering or substitute teaching. But the finer nuances, like giving your child your undivided attention on homework goes a long way in boosting confidence as well as grades.

Private schools are also very accommodating in allowing parents to play a direct role in school functions and academic endeavors. Just make sure you're not choosing a private school for the wrong reasons. A private school is not necessarily a "gentler, kinder" place for students. Behavior from drug use to bullying is no less a threat in a private setting than it is in public. Additionally, unless the private school is extremely well-established, it often lacks the resources given to public schools through tax payer dollars and special funding programs.  

Ultimately, there is no substitute for being steadily involved in your child's learning journey. It is a job that starts when your child is born and doesn't end until... Well, actually it never ends, so make every opportunity count no matter where your child goes to school.