January 20, 2024|Education by Design
Home education, commonly known as homeschooling, allows us to design our educational approaches to fit our unique family dynamics and children’s specific learning styles. Over the years, we have observed that homeschooling can lead to significant achievements among students. While the reasons for choosing home education are as varied as the families themselves, from seeking a better educational environment to accommodating special needs, our collective experiences have often shown that students instructed at home can demonstrate strong academic performance.
We frequently find our homeschooled children excelling in various arenas, both academic and social. Studies suggest that the personalized attention and the ability to progress at their own pace can instill in our children a profound sense of responsibility and self-discipline. As we incorporate practical, real-world experiences into our curriculum, it becomes apparent that our students are not confined by the four walls of a traditional classroom, which frequently contributes to their holistic development and the attainment of a broader range of skills.
Embracing a flexible learning schedule, we are able to provide our children with the opportunities to deeply explore subjects of interest, participate in diverse extracurricular activities, and engage in community service, which further enriches their educational experience. This comprehensive designed approach to learning often prepares our children for their future endeavors, be it higher education, vocational pursuits, or other personal ambitions, with a strong foundation and a greater likelihood of success.
Academic Outcomes of Homeschooling
We’ve observed that homeschooled students often excel academically, showcasing their prowess in several critical areas.
Standardized Test Performance
On average, our homeschooled students tend to score above the national average on standardized tests. This is consistently evident from data which shows that homeschoolers, on average, score higher on the SAT and ACT. For instance:
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- SAT Scores: Homeschooled students average a score of 1230, compared to the national average of 1060.
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- ACT Scores: The average ACT score for homeschooled students is 26, while the national average lingers around 21.
College Admission Success
Our students also enjoy a higher rate of college admission compared to their peers from traditional schooling systems. A contributing factor is their typically impressive academic records and well-rounded portfolios. Here’s what we’ve found:
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- Admission Rates: Homeschooled students have a 72% college admission rate, which is higher than the public school average of 65%.
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- Scholarships: They are attractive candidates for scholarships due to diverse educational experiences and extracurricular achievements.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Finally, we believe the individualized learning approach fostered by homeschooling enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Homeschooled students often participate in a variety of hands-on learning experiences and projects that contribute to these skills. Evidence supports our belief:
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- Students demonstrate an ability to think more independently compared to their traditionally schooled counterparts.
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- They show stronger problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios, as they’re often involved in community and practical daily activities that require these abilities.
Benefits Beyond Academics
The educational journey isn’t just about grades; we often find that homeschooling offers unique benefits that extend into social spheres and long-term personal development.
Social Development and Homeschooling
We see a common misconception that homeschool students might lack social skills due to limited interaction with peers in a traditional school setting. However, the flexibility of homeschooling often allows us unique opportunities to engage in diverse social activities and community groups. These varied social settings enable us to develop strong interpersonal skills.
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- Community Involvement: We are often more involved in our local communities, volunteering, and participating in a mix of age-diverse groups.
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- Tailored Social Interactions: Homeschooling allows us to choose our social interactions more deliberately, leading to meaningful friendships.
Long-Term Life Achievements
We’ve noticed homeschoolers frequently carry the self-motivation and discipline they’ve gained into their adult lives, transposing these skills into career success.
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- Career Pathways: Among us, a higher proportion become entrepreneurs or follow paths that require a degree of self-motivation.
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- Continued Education: We often approach higher education with the same zest for self-paced, personalized learning, leading to high achievement levels.