I want to be home schooled. How do I convince my dad?

Question

I am a high school student currently attending a private school. I would much rather be home schooled, possibly with some online courses. The thing is, my dad doesn't support me. He's a single parent doesn't have the time to home school me on his own, and he doesn't really get the concept of online courses (he says, "you'll be the equivalent on a high school drop out if you don't have other humans educating you.") How do I convince him that home schooling is right for me and that online courses aren't all that bad? What are some good online courses I can show him? Or is he right? Should I stay in private school?

Answer 1

Do some more research, and blow him away with the facts. Though I can see his hesitency to commit to this as a single parent.
My wife and I homeschooled, she was stay at home so there was always someone there.

Many negative answers about homeschooling will follow. Don't let these 'experts' disuade you.
They will go on and on about socialization issues, as though you can't join a club or meet other kids in your neighborhoood.

Good luck

Answer 2

well, i guess it all depends on the situation you're in, which I know I don't have all the details for. I too am a high schooler, I'm a senior, and my only advice is...if you're a senior or even a junior...it may be worth it to stay in school. That way you stay with your friends through graduation. I had a friend who decided to do the same thing as you are considering, but she was really disappointed that she couldn't graduate with all of us. Besides, it's all of one or two more years, so one might as well just stay with the school. However, some high schools have programs where you can kind of do homeschooling through the school, or something like that, i know one of my friends does that and loves it.

So in the end, it really just depends on where you are in your life, if you're considering starting a job of some sorts or not, and all how close you are to your friends, and what you want to do in your future. If you think it's the best for you then by all means go for it, people learn differently and this may be the best way for you. Maybe, just maybe...you could try going to a public scool, where you can still get a good education, but it may not be as structured and such. When it comes to convincing the parents though....i dunno, lol.

Answer 3

Well first of all the high school curriculum for home schooling can be through a correspondence course and the people on the other side are human beings.
What did he think they were I might ask him.

But the only real way you can convince him if you can find someone in a highschool course or someone who graduated and you got their folks to talk to your dad.

My kids father was not convinced about homeschooling until another father talked to him about how great it was...my 2 turned out fine. One is getting his Bachelors in Computer Sciences from ITT Tech in a few months. The other was taking courses online with Purdue University and is getting her diploma in January.

Answer 4

If you are flourishing in private school then he probably can't see your reasons for being homeschooled. If you really want to finish school at home you must come up with a solid arguement as to why you want to leave private school.

Why do you want to leave private school? Are you having trouble with the other students, or a teacher? Is the work not challenging enough? Or is it too challenging? Do you want to work part time in the afternoon and can't do that going to regular school?

Then, answer why you think homeschooling would be better for you. He won't need to be around for you to do your work, but he may think he has to be. Since you are in highschool you should have no trouble doing the work on your own.

Are you trustworthy? Are you self-motivated? Your dad knows you better than anyone so he may have issues with that. Plus, he may not think it's good for you to be home alone all day. He may not realize that there are many activities you can be involved in outside of regular school. You have to tell him what your plans are to be involved in outside activities. You need to be able to logically answer these questions. Then go to your dad with this information.

I think he is saying "No" because you have yet to give him a good enough reason to do this. He is looking out for your best interest. Be thankful for that. I think your dad loves you very much. And if he is raising you on his own, and putting you through private school then you must show him how much you appreciate the sacrifice he's made. Not all dads are that cool.

And btw, if you did homeschool, you could go to prom, graduation, field trips, do volunteer work and anything else public or private school kids do. If you live in a reasonably large town there are groups that have more activities than you could possibly be involved in. So that wouldn't be an issue. Just call your local homeschool association and they will hook you up. Maybe a homeschool dad would talk to your dad and fill him in on the pros and con's of homeschooling.

Homeschooling can be a great opportunity, just as private or public school can. We aren't robots, all having to do exactally the same thing. What works for one may not work for another. So, the fact that you want to try homeschooling is showing that you have an open mind to different experiences.

Good luck with this as it can be an awesome experience for you. But, if your dad sticks with a "No" I would totally respect him for that and make the best of your situation. You are a very blessed girl.

PS There are online schools that are accredited. They are expensive, but no more expensive than a private school. You would have a virtual classroom, assignments, tests, research papers, report cards, diploma, and everything else that a private or public school has...well, minus other kids and a live teacher. Most colleges accept homeschool students as they look at the ACT and other scores to determine if they think you can cut it. You don't have to go to an accredited school to get into college anymore. Now some colleges are all about the accreditation and if that's the case then you will have to prove yourself with a very high ACT or SAT score.

Answer 5

If homeschooling is what you want it will be essential to find the schools where you would like to take some courses. Check out the University of Oklahoma, they have a highschool program where you can take high school and high school college courses. Not only will you take courses to complete your high school education but you will also get some of your first year courses for college done. This is better that AP courses since at the end of the college courses you will have fully transferable courses rather than taking your chance with an exam that may or not be transferable.

Answer 6

I agree with the other poster about K12 cyberschool. It's free in many states, (just check their website to see if yours is one), and you would have a supervising teacher. It's really more like public school at home, and your dad shouldn't be too against it if you choose that because it's really almost like public school and you have a teacher supervising you who would be emailing you, always willing to talk with you on the phone if you have a question, you send the teacher samples of your work and exams, and you would take standardized testing like public school kids. You would take field trips, and have no problems with admission since you're considered public schooled. You could also tell him you could try it on a trial basis if he still has any other possible concerns.

I had a single dad myself, so I think he would have definitely gone for it because he just wanted me to be happy and go to college, and hopefully your dad will be the same. Before you do it though, I would make sure you have the discipline to make yourself do the reading, math, and other work without a teacher or parent standing over you as it will require you to have a good amount of self-discipline. If not, then I wouldn't do it. If you don't get all the work done, log on the K12 site each day, keep in touch with your teacher, you still will have the potential to fail and have to repeat a year of school and that wouldn't be worth it.

If that works out for you could always decide later if you wanted to experiment and homeschool with other curriculum or do dual homeschooling by using your own curriculum and attending local community college for free which some homeschoolers do also.

I tend to disagree with the other poster that wants to discourage you because of your dad. I think if you are committed to the program, and are a self-motivated person you can do a program like K12, but I do think your dad should try to have at least some small involvement in your schooling whether you attend private school or homeschool. I think it will be good for both of you! I know it is tough for single dads with time (my dad worked 6 days a week, and raised 2 kids) but hopefully if you get involved with K12 you can try to have your dad participate in at least some small way and I think that would actually be a positive not a negative for both of you.

Answer 7

I'm sorry but you have not convinced me why dropping out of private school is such a good idea. If your family can afford, and I am sure your father has made many sacrifices that allow you to go to a private school, why change?
You want to finish high school at home. OK, but why? Are you in a hurry to get to college? Do you want a job?
I am sure home schooling is very good, when done by parents with the resources and willingness to do it , but if your father is unwilling and does not have the time, then it sounds as if you are saying 'I want to quit school, you sacrifices mean nothing to me and have been nothing but a waste'
Stay in private school, you worked hard to prove you are worth your father's sacrifices

Answer 8

Ask yourself the reason of one over the other. Are you tired of the routine? Are you tired of the pressure to compete against others in your class? Are there problems at the school you are attending that makes it difficult for your sanity and well-being? Be frank and honest with yourself and your dad. Tell him what's bothering you and your real feelings of why YOU want to be homeschooled. Is it to sleep in or is it the education you think you are missing. Also, listen to other answers, including finding out the sources of your dad's viewpoint. Talk to your principal and counselors, talk to college professors and professionals. Hear what they have to say. They have open door policies and would kindly give their advice. Good luck. I hope you can both come up with a good solution! By the way, you didn't mention your mom or grandparents, uncles and aunts. What have they said on the subject and what are their opinions?

Answer 9

Prove to your dad that you are serious about this and CAN work on your own. Do some research and give him a presentation. Show him at least 3 sights that do homeschooling online, show him that you CAN get your high school diploma via online homeschooling. Make a contract with him that you will maintain your grade level or improve or he can put you back into the private school without complaint.

Answer 10

Well I am a PA Cyber Charter student finishing my senior year. Its great, field trips, and its all online, they send you free books and computer as long as you return it. Everything you do through them is free but the field trips which are cheap. Its so wonderful. You dont have to live in PA either, there are people from across the US, just make sure you pick Lincoln Interactive because that is the one I am doing and my cousin did one called PALO which sucked, but there are different parts for you to pick. You do not need your dad to babysit you while you do it and if you do your work and get ahead, you do not have to get on long and can go on Monday through Sunday any time to do work. I was out to dinner with my mom and step dad and just came out and said it and they actually looked into it that week and now my mom is into it and supports me 100% and is proud plus you may graduate early if you do your work. You get an Instructional Supervisor who calls or makes contact with you 2 times a month and you see your grades whenever you want and can talk to anyone you want on there. I met over 100 new friends and love it! Just say hey dad, this girl just told me about this and explain it all to him that I just told you and show him the site.. Let me know how it goes