homeschooling over public schooling?

Question

I'm going to be a freshman in high school next year, and this past year I have completely lost intrest in all the social things about school. I really don't care about friends and what I wear and how I look when all my life I have. Anyway, I really wish that I didn't have to go to school for 7 hours a day when I could get a tutor and do my studies in 3 hours, without all the extra bullcrap. So, my question is, does anyone who used to go to public school prefer homeschooling to public?

Answer 1

You should care about having friends that's what makes and shapes who you are when you have interaction with other people. You're going to look back years from now and wish you did the prom, homecoming, and school dances and other things like yearbook staff, band, cheerleading, sports, all the things that many homeschoolers don't experience. I spent 15 years in private school and I wish they had all the things that I listed, but in the end I came out with a 3.2 GPA from high school graduated with two college degrees and 3 honor society nominations. If I could go back I would, but I am happy that I got my education and nothing less.

You need to start having a little more enthusiasm towards your life that you have opportunities that many homeschoolers are deprived of when they're sheltered having to deal with mom or whoever's teaching all day everyday and not having a chance to blend in with other people. It's not about what you wear and what you look like it's about getting your education. I didnt care about having the latest fashions and that was from 1989-1993 when I was in high school and I am 31 now and I could careless about name brands nice to have, but that's not what defines your character.

Answer 2

Why don't you try homeschooling over the summer, and see if it works for you? If nothing else, maybe you can test out of a year or so of school if you work hard this summer.

However, I'd be worried about your change in personality. You should talk to a counselor at school about this! I know there's a lot of crap to wade through when you are a teenager -- I didn't have a very good time in high school. But it's important to know how to deal with people -- how to make them happy, and how to make them do what you want them to do. You won't learn this sitting at home. But, if you include a "social studies" program in your homeschooling, I think you'll be just fine.

Don't use homeschooling as a way to avoid people, though. It's really true that "no man is an island." You could, though, see about taking college courses and getting out that way. However, a friend of mine wasn't socially prepared for the whole college scene and wound up very scarred. So, you need to be careful.

Seriously, in a lot of ways, high school is a whole new ball game. Even though I didn't have the best time in HS, I loved being in band and choir. And doing school plays, and working on the newspaper. I'd say give HS a chance, anyway. It's good to try many different things . . . .

Answer 3

I was a freshman last year a high school I couldn't stand, so I opted for a cyber school (homeschooling) A lot of people say it's really hard, a lot say it's really easy. As a cyber student right now I'll tell you it's both. Don't do cyber school if you just don't care about socializing, If you live at a place where there's a lot to do with your free time, g for it. If not, your home can start to feel like a prison and you get second thoughts, i still do from time to time. But then I just go out to movies or see some friends so I don't feel like I've turned my back on society. As for the work load, do homeschool do it for the right reasons, do it because pacing is wrong in school, or taught subjects don't interest you or you dont' like the feeling of being apart of a herd of cattle. The best thing about homeschooling is cool subjects not offered in real school. In real school I'd have to take this sciene, this history and so on. In homeschool I almost have all the options a college student has. Don't do it because you're a slacker and hate doing work, the scary thing about homeschooling, is yea it's easy to cheat, and if you don't love your classes or aren't getting the help you need, instead of learning some kids will just cheat their way through.(though you can do that in public too) But yeah you can get it done in three hours (you don't need a tutor, i recommend cyber of regular homeschooling because then you get real teachers that you can email with questions, if you don't have a question you dont' talk to them.) and it is nice. It's easy if you make it easy and it's hard if you pick hard classes. Overall, if you want more interesting subjects and your own pace, go for it. I'm really happy I did and would never go back.

Answer 4

My kids used to be public schooled, but are now homeschooled. They say they never want to go back. They are mostly younger though, my oldest is just 12.

Social crap in high school is not real world socialization. If you can cope with shopping at the grocery store at 5:20 pm, when all the office workers are heading home for dinner, I think you can cope with the real world.

Edited to add:
Nabdullah, homeschoolers CAN have all the social activities that you've listed, dances, proms, sports, music, and even graduation with their local homeschooled groups. However, I think the questioner very clearly stated that she was tired of the socialization. It's a basic respect that adults get, when they are tired of people they can take a break, they can choose who they are with, if they don't like a job they can move on. Why shouldn't teens have that?

Answer 5

There have been a number of people in here in the past who have had the experience of both. Some have preferred homeschooling and others have preferred public school. Those who preferred public school seemed to have parents who weren't terribly supportive or "there" or they seemed to be rather isolated and wished they'd had more social interaction. Or they had the mentality that they would 'miss out' on all the social stuff that goes on at school.

If you aren't likely to feel that you're missing out and really do want to focus on your school work, then homeschooling may be a good option for you. You don't even necessarily need a tutor--homeschooling students at the high school level tend to work rather independently from well-developed resources.

Answer 6

I am only speaking as a parent that is home schooling a freshman. I can tell you she finishes her studies by about lunch if she chooses to, is working at about 2 grade levels above her grade, and his a huge social life that includes sports at our local high school. She is also free to explore her other interests that she would never have time for if she was sitting at school 8 hours a day or more. She is also the type that doesn't do the whole "dress like this or don't fit it" thing. She has many friends as well of all different ages. I think it is safe to say she is thriving and happy at home and the added plus is that we have a great relationship.

I would find a support group or co-op and get a wide range of opinions before you make any decisions, not just what you read here.

**I just had to add this when I read this comment!

"Krissy's just a walking advertisment for the strengths of public school, is she not? "

AMEN! lol

Answer 7

I went to public school until my junior year, and then I quit. I looked into all sorts of home schooling programs, and found one that I must say is absolutely marvelous. As long as you are motivated, it will be easy enough, and without the social distractions. I find myself getting 100 on all exams, when I was getting C's or lower. The only problem with these distance learning programs is the cost. However, they do have easy payment plans. The disadvantage of home schooling is social interaction. Like you, I felt I didn't care about any of those things...until I quit. I missed friends, and everything that goes along with high school. Just make sure you aren't being hasty with the decision. Here's the school that I go through- www.PennFosterHighSchool.com I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 8

I homeschooled the youngest two of my six children. They weren't learning anything in public school, and were having trouble with fights/drugs/alcohol, etc.

They enjoyed it, as they didn't need to get up at any particular time, they could stay up later at night, we could go to the park and have a picnic while doing school work, and we could take a day off and make it up on the weekend.

They did go back to public school a few years later, they tested above grade level, and were said to be very well-adjusted by the school. The only reason I needed to send them back was because of the algebra. I even tried to take it at the community college--but did not understand it. As it is required for graduation, they needed to go back to school--that was the only subject in which they didn't excel.

You don't need to pay for a tutor--just get the curriculum for the year, the list of books they are using, and educate yourself--since you are in high school. Remember that you really will need to understand everything in order to get a diploma or GED.

Answer 9

My best friend went to public school all her life. Just this year, she was home schooled. She really didn't want to be though. She thought she wouldn't get an education, wouldn't get to see her friends, and was gonna be around her mom 24/7. I've been home schooled all my life so I told her otherwise. She didn't believe me though. But she soon found out. She got a GREAT education! She still had the same social life.(Which is a big social life by the way.) And being around her mom turned out to be a great thing! They became closer and closer. But a few months later, she got taken away from her home by difus. Not because of home schooling though. But it's a long story about her step dad hating her and called difus saying this lie about her brother raping her. But it wasn't true. But anyway, difus put her back in public school and she was away from her home for months. She's back now. But she still goes to public school. She wishes she was home schooled again though.

Answer 10

I preferred homeschooling to public. I was in the public school system from Kindergarten through 10th grade. I finished homeschooling in 9 months. I developed better social skills than I had in school. I had always had good grades, but I got great grades homeschooling. I really wonder how many of the people who commented on your question had actually been homeschooled. You can still do extracurriculars.
I liked the American School of Correspondence, but Penn Foster is also good.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [e-mail]. I'd be more than happy to answer questions.