Homeschool Vs. Public School: Which is Best for Your Child?

We are not a religious family, nor are we radicals who are completely against education. You could call us an average American family who wants our children to be successful.

This debate is weighing heavily on this average family's mind - do we homeschool our very creative and independent son, or do we force him to "fit in" to the public school? After many problems with him in public school, we are currently weighing the option of homeschool, unschool, and dual enrollment. Here's what we've come up with thus far.

Positives of Homeschooling

- Free to learn at their own pace
This is probably the most important aspect of homeschooling, and why many parents make the switch. Instead of being forced to spend too much time on one subject and not enough on another, they are learning at their own pace. Which in turn is better retained.

For example, let's say a public school has allotted time for two 15 minute activities. Let's say you do both those tasks in a homeschool setting, but it takes your child 20 minutes to do the first, and 10 minutes to do the second. They've done both tasks in the same amount of time, but needed extra time for the first and less for the second. If that child was in public school, what would have happened? They would have been sent home the extra work, or would have had to stop and start the assignment again, ultimately wasting time.

- No negative influences
I won't say they wouldn't ever (or shouldn't) be around the "bad kids". But day in and day out this can have a huge effect on them. There's not just "one bad kids" being a bad influence either. It could be the entire class gets antsy one day and acts up, getting everyone in trouble or wasting class time.

If your child is homeschooled, they have very separate times for work and play. They aren't wasting time being punished for what other kids have done, or wasting time not getting work done.

- More field trips
Think back to when you were in school. I bet you remember your field trips most of all, and soaked up more information than you ever did just sitting in a class room. I often think back to 8th grade science, and how the only thing I really remember is getting the chance to go outside when we were learning about clouds. In 7th grade science, I remember disecting a frog. That's IT. The other 300+ days I don't remember a thing of what I learned.

If you are homeschooling, you have the opportunity to go anywhere you like at any time. You aren't being hearded to one area to the next, but actually taking time in each individual area your children are interested in. For example, you've been reading a lot about flowers and they show interest in certain types. You take a trip to the local botanical center and spend the day learning more about the flowers you are really interested in. No walking in a single file line quickly learning about everything. No rushing back to school by a certain time. You get to take your time seeing everything and properly absorbing the information.

- More family time
If you are spending every day together, the family bonds are going to be stronger. Most activities are going to be done as a family, thus creating much needed family time. There are no studies to support this theory, but you ARE spending quality time with your children and that can't be a bad thing.

Homeschool: Negative

- Not as much social time
All kids need to interact with other kids on a regular basis. When you are homeschooling, there won't be as much time with the other kids. Even if it's negative interaction, they are still learning problem solving skills and learning to deal with conflict. Of course, too much negative interaction is NEVER good.

- Not learning correct subjects
Most of us who chose to homeschool are not teachers. We don't necessarily know how to teach kids or teach them the right information. There may be important pieces of their education missing.

However, studies have shown homeschooled kids score better on tests, do better in college, and generally have a higher education than public school kids. In general that is. There is a risk of your child being below the average or not learning as much as they would in a public school with a "real" teacher.

- Loss of income
If you are a two income family and both parents work, one is going to have to stay home to teach the kids. Daycare is not an option here. Even if you are a work at home mom, homeschooling is going to take a huge chunk out of your day. The days of working in peace will be no more, since your kids will ALWAYS be home. There will most likely be a loss of income at some point.

Conclusion
So which is better? Public school or home school? This article may be a bit biast since we are starting to lean towards homeschool. So you may come up with more negative points, and that's fine. This issue is open for discussion!