Why Home School

What is home schooling?

The concept behind home schooling is that parents accept total responsibility for the education of their children rather than transferring the bulk of this responsibility to a public or private school. As primary educators, they decide the educational path for their children. This is not a new concept. Historically, home education dates back to the beginning of time. In fact, it was not until late in the 19th century that states began passing legislation compelling parents to send their children to public schools. Many famous Americans were home schooled. These include George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, John Quincy Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. It is estimated that around 2 million children are being home schooled in the United States today with an increase of about seven percent per year.

Why do families choose to home school?

Linda Dobson, in her book The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child, states the following: “What is it about the act of home schooling that draws people from every political, economic, ethnic, religious, and demographic quarter? They recognize a need in their family life – time to be together to share what they value, be it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual – and home schooling fills it.”

Some families are drawn to home schooling for the sake of academic excellence. Because a child’s education is designed just for him/her, the child’s potential can be fully realized. The learning pace can be individualized. Areas in which a child excels can be maximized and accelerated. Areas in which a child struggles can be targeted until the child really conquers that subject.

Many families report that home education cultivates deep family relationships. Also, they are excited about the socialization opportunities that home schooling creates. Research studies have shown that the home educated typically measure above average on social, emotional, and psychological development.