Homeschooling through High School

So many parents feel unqualified and uncertain about homeschooling their children through high school. They will often put their children into the system to feel more satisfied that their children are well-prepared for college, to have an official transcript and an official diploma. Many parents put their children into the system for sports opportunities. Some put their children into the system for life’s lessons to be learned in a group setting – such as learning to deal with peer pressure, getting along with same-age peers, or “real” classroom experience.

Parents do what they feel is best for their child and their family. I have a tremendous respect for those decisions. Parenting is the most difficult job I've known and I have had some very difficult jobs. Saving lives in the ER as a nurse has nothing on raising up children!

To encourage those who have discerned for their child and family that keeping their child home for high school is what is best for them, I thought I would share our daughter’s experience.

There is hardly a week that passes that my homeschooled through high school graduate, Kiera, doesn’t thank me for keeping her home for her K-12 education. She supplies me with so many reasons why she is grateful...I find myself grateful too.

Good, quality education. Kiera feels she got a great education from a Christian perspective. It is quite apparent, now that she is in college, that she was well-prepared for college. She did well on the college entrance exam. She is making the Dean’s list at school which says so much about how well she was prepared.

Life-long love of learning. Kiera still loves to learn. As she was finishing our homeschool high school, she took a few courses at our local community college. What struck her most there about the environment and students was the apathy apparent everywhere. No one was excited about what was being offered to them. They sat there like rocks without contributing or asking questions.

Kiera is excited about the world of academics and all the opportunities that come with the college environment. Her professors enjoy her because she is curious and contributes in the classroom. This young adult learns and has fun!

Self-discipline. As soon as Kiera reached the stage of reading to learn (about 4th grade if I remember right) she began to assume more responsibility for her education. By the time she got to the high school years, my role had greatly diminished. Now in college, she has all the responsibility and is handling it well.

Organization and focus. Her room is a mess but her schedule is not. She maps out her week – what needs to be read, written and studied for and sticks to the schedule. A life skill that is invaluable and learned as a lifestyle at home. Kiera is greatly focused on her goals and the path she must take to reach them

Self-actualization. In the system, children spend most of their primary and secondary education doing what others tell them to do and be. Kiera knows who she is and what she is capable of doing. She delights in being a child of God, seeking His will in her life and being obedient to Him.

Family. Kiera feels so blessed to have so much family time. Not only with her immediate family but with extended family as well. Our homeschooling lifestyle lends itself to building and staying close with those who live far away. If she had been required to stick to a structured school year, she would hardly know her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She knows a depth of family experience that few know today because of the nature of our mobile society.

Social Skills. Homeschooled children are well-known for their ability to talk to people of all ages – not just individuals their own age. This ability has taken Kiera to many places she would not know otherwise and relationships that have been quite valuable throughout her life would not have been accessible without her wonderful social skills.

Life Skills. Kiera is very pleased with her ability to cook, clean, care for her sibling etc. I think when it is time for her to manage her own home, she will be able to function quite well.

Time and balance. As a homeschooled student, Kiera began her day at 6:00-6:30 a.m. and finished was finished with her daily work before noon. There was no homework that went unfinished before she finished her daily work. The rest of her day was hers to do with as she pleased. Time filled with contributions to our home and family life, volunteer work, books, creative writing, hobbies and friends. There were no long evenings laboring over school work. She learned to structure her work time as well as her free time. She has been given a model that will lead to a healthy, balanced, enjoyable lifestyle as an adult and to pattern her own family’s lifestyle after when the time comes.

Well-rounded person with a wide variety of interests. Because of our homeschooling lifestyle, Kiera has had the time to explore a wide variety of interests leading to a well-rounded individual. Her interests have not been influenced by the popular culture but are what she has truly finds interesting. We have had many opportunities, because of the nature of homeschooling, to travel and explore the world – experiences she may have not known if we had to stick to a structured school year.

If you are called to keep your child at home through high school, there is no need to fear. If God leads you there, He will provide what you need to get the job done to fulfill His will for your child and family. A leap of faith for many, but many are the positive outcomes.

You may wonder if Kiera wants to homeschool her own children when the time comes. I think that is the ultimate question that displays how the individual views their own homeschooling experience.

Feel free to ask her. I must say, it is so good to know that my investment in this child has been received with such a grateful heart.