Why would I home-school a teen? As a home-school advocate, I have found many reasons:
1. Home-schooled teens are motivated: Besides the fact that most colleges really love home-schooled teenagers as they have developed good study habits, home-schooled teens are motivated to learn, are courteous and polite. When home-schooled, a person between the ages of 13 and 18 can make their own schedule and find their own interests independently. Parents have the responsibility of guiding their teen children, but teen children are free to find different interests and avenues. If teens are in control of what they want to do in their lives, the motivation to finish college degrees or trade schools increases greatly.
2. Home-schooled teens have more flexible schedules. No longer does a home-schooled teen have to wake up with the sun to prepare himself for school. Teens need more sleep to develop brain skills, and the lack of sleep inhibits this. Allowing a teen to study and work on his own is completely different. Teen home-schoolers learn to think outside the box. They can work in the morning and do school in the afternoon and evening. They can attend college-type classes to get credit for some of the high school classes instead of repeating classes taken in high school, then again in college. They can attend online classes at home and learn much quicker and in a comfortable environment. They can try different trades earlier and get started on what they want to accomplish in their lifves, finding their places in society. The options are limitless.
3. Home-schooled teens have more options. Internships and apprenticeships for a trade are more available for home-schooled teens because they have a flexible schedule. Dual enrollment (as in high school classes in college) from local junior colleges are possible. Co-op schools, online courses and private tutors all can help a teen find what their life work can be.
4. School “burn out” is much less. Most of my children “graduated" from high school by the time they were 16, and they didn’t have that senioritis their last year because they were not burned out on school. They learned to be adults sooner and be responsible for their own destinies. One daughter had the opportunity to work on a horse farm and in a veterinarian’s office during public school hours to learn what it took to be a veterinarian. Another son opted to work a few years and then go on a church mission, learning a new language. They loved learning because they were not tired of school.
So the next time you read about how hard it is to home-school teens, remember the reward and great outcome any teen will have when parents take the time to educate their children at home.
Valerie Steimle is the mother of nine children living in southern Alabama and is the author of four books. She writes a weekly column about the effects on the family. Visit her website, www.strengthenyourfamily.com, or email her, valeriesteimle@yahoo.com.