Have you noticed that some middle school students are dropping out of public school and switching to homeschool? Recent data reveals that homeschool numbers throughout California are rising. But how does homeschooling affect a student’s immediate learning and long term success? Is it beneficial for social growth? Does it help students develop for college, or is public school a better option? 

“You start [with] a morning routine and then you do your lessons, and then we usually have a lunch hour where we eat together. I teach all three of them together at the same time [before they’ll]  go back and finish [their] work. And then we have our extracurriculars after one o’clock, said Alison S. 

The luxury of homeschooling lets families have flexible schedules, providing freedom for sports, family events and other extracurriculars. 

 “I think that it takes a lot of hard work to make it work well. If you’re doing those things then the benefits are a unique learning experience for your child. So homeschooling gives the flexibility and opportunity to say ‘these are the things my kids are gifted at,’ so we’re going to pour into specific things and build those things,” said Allison S. 

Homeschooling also allows parents to have one-on-one time with their children. Parents can focus on their kids,  allowing them to prioritize their educational needs. In a typical classroom, a teacher may teach something a student already knows. With over 30 kids in a class, a teacher is limited in how much attention can be given to a single student.

“Sometimes I wouldn’t even pay attention in a class, but I honestly think it helps because the lesson that I’m not great with is math and in math class people try to talk to me while I try to pay attention. So, I think it’s better for me to learn by myself,” said Juliet DF. 

Students who are homeschooled experience fewer distractions. There aren’t disruptive conversations with classmates, loud noises from outside of a classroom, or cell phone interruptions. 

Another difference is in the curriculum. Parents can choose what method of study they want to teach their child to fit their  families’ lifestyle. There are many sources for homeschooling, each reflecting what works best for them. 

“I think that in general it really depends on the family. So if you’re talking to Zoie specifically, her work load is probably more than the average 7th grader in public school. However it’s different; she’s learning in a different style. The volume and the content is different but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better,” said Allison S.

Public school and homeschooling have very different curriculums. And just because a student is homeschooled doesn’t mean there will be less work. Homeschooling may work for one family but not for the other, as it really depends on their unique circumstances.  

“We do Classical Conversations, but I know that not all people who homeschool do that. I have a community where we do school together, but it’s still homeschooling. And  spending less time with my friends I can grow closer to my family.”

There’s no clear answer to what’s better, homeschooling or public school. It simply depends on the preference of the student and parent. Both options have their pros and cons, but the ultimate goal is to make sure the student is in the best position to learn.