Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular option for many families in recent years. Approximately 3.3% of school-aged children in the U.S. were homeschooled in 2016, up from 1.7% in 1999. With the rise of online education resources and curriculum options, homeschooling is more accessible than ever before. However, traditional schooling in public and private schools still remains the norm for the vast majority of families.
Choosing between homeschooling and traditional schooling for your children is an important decision that should be given careful consideration. There are potential advantages and disadvantages to both educational paths. Evaluating your family’s individual needs and priorities can help determine which option may be the best fit. This guide examines the key pros and cons of homeschooling versus attending traditional public or private schools.
Pros of Homeschooling
1. Customized Curriculum
One of the biggest advantages of homeschooling is the ability to completely customize your children’s learning. You can choose curriculum and lesson plans that align with your child’s unique learning style, abilities, interests and goals. With a tailored approach, you can provide an education that maximizes their potential.
Homeschooling allows for a high degree of flexibility in what your children learn. You aren’t bound to any particular school system’s standards or testing requirements. If your child is struggling in one subject, you have the freedom to spend more time focused on it. If a topic sparks their interest, you can delve deeper into it well beyond what a traditional curriculum may cover.
2. Flexible Scheduling
Another major perk of homeschooling is schedule flexibility. The school day can be structured around your family’s natural rhythms and needs. You may prefer doing lessons in the morning so afternoons can be free for sports, music lessons, field trips or appointments. Or you may follow a more traditional schedule with breaks built in where needed.
With homeschooling, vacations aren’t dictated by the school calendar. You can take time off to travel or focus on extracurricular activities when it is most convenient for your family. Snow days don’t require makeup time at home. Doctor appointments or sick days won’t mean missing lessons or falling behind.
3. One-on-One Instruction
Homeschooled children benefit from highly personalized attention and instruction. A teacher to student ratio of 1:1 allows lessons to be tailored to the exact ability level and paced appropriately. Any learning challenges or gaps can be identified early and addressed effectively.
Beyond academics, the close student-teacher bond helps nurture confidence and self-esteem. Communication, concentration, motivation and study skills can all flourish with the focused guidance homeschooling facilitates. Children are also free from the social pressures, cliques, comparisons and competitions often present in traditional classrooms.
4. Safety
Bullying, exposure to drugs and alcohol, and school violence are unfortunate realities families must consider today. Homeschooling eliminates these risks and provides a safe learning environment. You have control over who interacts with your children and what values they are exposed to on a daily basis.
There are no concerns about young kids navigating crowded hallways or buses. Older children aren’t forced into stressful social situations or peer pressure. Acting out, teasing and physical conflicts simply aren’t factors without a large group of children together for hours each day.
5. Strengthened Family Relationships
Spending meaningful time together and bonding as a family is a cherished benefit of homeschooling. Parents gain insight into their children’s personalities, strengths, weaknesses and learning styles. Siblings who are homeschooled often develop very close ties. Grandparents and other relatives can also be brought into the homeschooling experience for even richer connections.
With homeschooling, parents are directly involved in all aspects of their children’s education. This fosters open communication, shared values, teamwork, and a stronger foundation of trust and support. Family traditions and rituals can be incorporated into the homeschool schedule. Outings, vacations and community activities become shared learning experiences.
6. Cost Savings
For many families, homeschooling requires significantly lower expenses than private school tuition. While there are costs associated with curriculum, books, enrichment activities, and sports or arts instruction, overall it is very affordable compared to private education. Homeschooling also eliminates the need for expensive school wardrobes, class photos, transportation, cafeteria fees and more.
Stay-at-home parents can homeschool without impacting household income. And having a parent at home means significant savings on daycare, before/after-school care, summer programs, and camps during breaks. Even if one parent reduces work hours for homeschooling, the net effect on the budget is often negligible.
Cons of Homeschooling
1. Significant Time Commitment
Without question, homeschooling requires an enormous investment of time, energy and effort from parents. Even with a structured curriculum and schedule, most days involve at least 5-6 hours spent actively teaching, guiding instruction, correcting work, and planning lessons. Juggling homeschooling along with household responsibilities and self-care can be extremely taxing.
It is difficult for many parents to replicate the classroom learning environment at home. They must find the time and discipline to teach each subject effectively despite interruptions and distractions. Staying on top of record keeping, grading, test preparation and tracking progress across subjects is also time consuming.
2. Limited Social Interaction
One of the biggest criticisms of homeschooling is that it restricts children’s social development and interaction with peers. While homeschoolers can participate in sports, clubs, and enrichment activities in the community, these are not daily social opportunities like in traditional schools.
Some children thrive in the one-on-one homeschool environment and don’t miss the traditional classroom social scene. But for others, having limited exposure to large groups of kids their own age can be detrimental over the long term. Shy or introverted children may have difficulty developing social confidence without steady peer interactions.
3. Parental Burnout
The intensive time and energy required for successful homeschooling often leads to frustration and burnout for parents, especially mothers who shoulder the majority of responsibility. The constant pressure of trying to effectively teach all subjects, manage behavior issues, and stimulate active engagement can be emotionally draining.
Finding balance between homeschooling and personal needs is difficult. Mothers may feel pressure to put their own goals and careers aside. Fathers who aren’t directly involved in homeschooling can feel disconnected from their children’s daily lives. Maintaining a marriage/partnership also takes effort when homeschooling dominates family life.
4. Limited Extracurricular Options
While homeschoolers can participate in community sports, arts, and clubs, the availability of these activities during school hours is limited. Most options take place in the evenings or weekends. Homeschooled children often miss out on activities like band, orchestra, theater, in-school clubs, and events that traditional students can access each day.
Attending extracurriculars can also be logistically tricky with parent work schedules. Homeschooled students must stick to family routines rather than enjoy the flexibility of staying after school for activities or socializing with peers before heading home. Access to costly private instruction and enrichment programs may require significant time transporting kids back and forth.
5. Gaps in Parent Education Levels
Even experienced teachers rely on subject matter experts to provide specialized instruction at higher grade levels. Most parents do not have the background knowledge to teach advanced math, science, languages, AP level courses, etc. Upper level concepts and critical thinking skills may be lacking without access to highly qualified teachers.
While homeschool parents can bolster their own education through training programs, or hire tutors, it is difficult to completely replicate a classroom environment at higher levels. As children get older, supporting increasingly complex learning requires a depth of expertise many parents simply don’t have.
6. Lack of Structure and Discipline
It is easy for homeschooling to become unstructured without clear guidelines. Some homeschoolers struggle with too much free time and not enough scheduled focus. Parent teaching styles that are too relaxed can fail to prepare kids for higher education or careers that require diligence and time management.
Even motivated students miss out on learning how to navigate strict due dates, conform to rigid schedules, adapt to different teaching styles, and function in highly structured environments. Colleges note homeschooled applicants often lack these skills which are needed for academic success.
7. Limited Access to Resources
School systems have access to expansive libraries, computer labs, science labs, specialty equipment/technology, and other academic resources that greatly enrich education. While homeschool families make use of public libraries, museums, and community resources, there are limitations in what can be provided at home.
Things like dissection kits, 3D printers, welding tools, high-level tech courses, non-virtual chemistry and physics labs, are difficult for homeschoolers to access. This can put them at a disadvantage compared to traditionally schooled students, especially in STEM fields. Academic competitions, contests, and scholarship opportunities may also not be open to homeschoolers.
8. Reliance on Special Needs Programs
Homeschooling can be very challenging for children with learning disabilities, processing disorders, or special needs that require intensive support services. Parents often struggle to provide adequate assistance without special education training and curriculum customization. Children miss out on individualized instruction, group therapy, counseling, life skills training and other resources public schools provide.
Accessing special needs testing, getting an IEP, and qualifying for accommodations necessary for college or career training can be difficult without going through traditional school channels. Even gifted children may not be sufficiently challenged at home and fail to reach full academic potential.
Pros of Traditional Schooling
1. Social Development
Social interaction with peers is a vital part of growing up that schools readily provide on a daily basis. Classrooms mix students of varying abilities, backgrounds, personalities, and interests who learn to communicate, cooperate, compromise and appreciate diversity. Leadership, empathy, responsibility, ethics and conflict resolution are skills honed through student interactions.
Group learning also teaches vital teamwork and collaboration abilities. Working together on projects, solving problems cooperatively, and navigating peer dynamics helps prepare students for adult work environments and social situations. Even negative experiences provide valuable lessons in overcoming interpersonal challenges.
2. Qualified Teachers
Certified teachers have extensive education, training and classroom experience in their field of instruction. They are skilled at employing specialized teaching techniques, adapting material for different learning styles, and managing groups of students. Their expertise ensures children master key learning objectives for each subject and grade level.
Exposing children to a variety of skilled teachers throughout their education provides diverse perspectives and approaches to instruction. It allows students to discover areas of interest they may want to pursue further in college or as a career. The influence of exceptional teachers often has life-changing impacts well beyond the classroom.
3. Academic Rigor
Following state educational standards, school curriculum is designed to progress in academic rigor as grade levels advance. Instruction moves students toward mastery of complex critical thinking, analysis, problem solving and research skills needed for collegiate and career success. Proven teaching methods and assessments ensure key benchmarks are met.
The community of academic achievement found in schools motivates students to aim higher. Peer competition, advanced classes, academic clinics, preparation for standardized tests and college admissions create an environment of scholastic excellence. Resources like science labs, technology, libraries, and specialty electives enrich learning.
4. Extracurricular Activities
The wide range of sports teams, arts programs, academic clubs, and special interest groups offered by schools provide incredible opportunities for students to pursue passions and talents. Participating in activities students are intrinsically motivated by improves academic performance, social skills, time management, leadership, self-confidence and more.
Availability of before/after school activities, weekend competitions and peer bonding allows students to explore interests in depth. Pursuing non-academic interests they excel in helps define identity. It also looks great on college applications and resumes down the road.
5. Special Needs Resources
Schools have access to expansive resources, staff, programs and curriculum options to serve special needs students. Special education teachers are highly trained to provide personalized instruction tailored to disabilities and learning challenges. Individualized education plans ensure each child gets the tools and support needed to reach their potential.
Things like physical, occupational and speech therapy, life skills classes, vocational training, counseling services and testing accommodations are invaluable. Mainstreaming in regular classrooms when appropriate, plus social integration, helps special needs students thrive academically and socially.
6. Preparation for Higher Education
The structure and rigor of traditional schooling prepares students extremely well for the demands of college academics. Adhering to strict due dates, managing long-term assignments, absorbing complex material delivered through lectures, participating actively in discussions, studying for high-stakes tests and managing their own time are skills mastered.
Counselors guide students in meeting testing, admissions and application requirements. Critical thinking and analysis skills developed through challenging curriculum make the transition to collegiate level classes smooth. Students enter higher education confident in their abilities and work ethic.
Cons of Traditional Schooling
1. Lack of Customization
Standardized curriculum cannot be tailored to accommodate different learning abilities and styles. Students who struggle in traditional classrooms may become frustrated and fall behind. Those who excel may feel bored and unchallenged. The mixed ability classroom focus brings instruction down to the middle rather than allowing acceleration.
Testing and metrics don’t capture growth of students operating above or below grade level expectations. Personalized intervention to address gaps or deficiencies is difficult with large class sizes and standardized objectives. Students are treated as a group rather than addressed as individuals with unique needs.
2. Social Pressures
Bullying, teasing, harassment, body shaming, exclusions, and unhealthy competition are realities in many school environments. Students who don’t “fit in” face social isolation that can deeply impact self-esteem. Peer pressure surrounding substances, sexual activity, academics and extracurriculars causes stress. Lack of supervision and large groups of students contribute to harmful behaviors.
Even students who thrive socially in school must balance peer dynamics, drama, rumors, status seeking, and the influence of older kids. Learning to operate in large predominately same-age peer groups brings greater risk of anxiety, insecurity, and susceptibility than mixed age settings.
3. Standard Schedules
Attending school on fixed days and hours with limited flexibility can be difficult for some families. Morning rush hour and school bus schedules make mornings stressful and leave little room for appointments. Vacation days must align with school holidays, which isn’t ideal for all families.
Rigid daily start and end times also mean parents need before/after school care or arrange schedules around picking kids up. Inclement weather and snow days usually still require parents to take off work and juggle childcare. Hours spent taking long bus rides, waiting in carpool lines, and navigating traffic cause frustration.
4. Little Control Over Influences
Parents have very limited control or visibility into everything their children encounter throughout the school day. Harmful values, behaviors, pressures and content can all influence kids without families even knowing. Each classroom, hallway, lockeroom, bus ride and playground exposes children to language, interactions, media and peer dynamics parents would likely object to.
With limited family time during hectic school and work routines, close relationships and open communication can suffer. Parents miss out on opportunities to impart values, model responsible behaviors, share interests, and closely mentor their children day-to-day.
5. Cost
Public schools may be tuition-free, but families still face a range of fees and costs. Beyond school supplies, there are added expenses like band instrument rental, field trips, lab materials, yearbooks, athletic costs, club dues, fine arts performances, AP exam fees and more. Many schools pressure parents to help with fundraising as well.
Private school tuition plus uniforms, books, transportation and activity fees make costs prohibitive for many families. Scholarships help offset the financial burden but are usually very limited. And opting out of public school still requires paying property taxes that fund the local district.
6. Large Class Sizes
With overcrowded classrooms, teachers cannot provide much personalized attention and feedback. Struggling students get lost in the shuffle while advanced students are held back by the pace needed for the majority to keep up. Students dealing with learning disabilities, special needs, emotional issues, language barriers and below grade level skills require more support than teachers in large classes can give.
Discipline issues, distractions and interruptions are also more prevalent in sizeable groups of students of varying maturity and motivation levels. Valuable academic time gets lost managing minor behavioral problems that are minimized in smaller settings. Students hesitant to participate often remain disengaged during lessons.
Homeschooling vs. Traditional Schooling: How to Decide What’s Best For Your Family
- Consider your child’s personality and learning style. Do they thrive in highly social environments or prefer focused one-on-one instruction?
- Think about your family’s schedule and structure. Can you commit consistent time and energy to homeschooling?
- Discuss your child’s academic and personal goals. Will peer interaction or customized teaching better enable them?
- Determine what resources and instruction you can realistically provide at home for each subject at more advanced grade levels.
- Evaluate your local school system’s strengths and shortcomings based on your priorities – ratings, class sizes, diversity,etc.
- Research your state’s homeschooling regulations – some impose strict curriculum, testing and monitoring requirements.
- Explore options like hybrid schooling if you want a mix of classroom and homeschooling elements. Public and private schools often have partial enrollment options.
- Consider your budget and review detailed breakdowns of both public and private school costs versus expenses associated with homeschooling curriculum, activities, technology and any tutoring needed. Also factor in existing taxes toward school funding and potential lost income.
- If considering homeschooling, connect with local groups and experienced families who can provide guidance and resources to make the transition smooth.
- Talk with traditionally schooled friends to gain perspective on social development, extracurricular and academic benefits and challenges within your school district.
Every child and family situation is unique. What may be the optimal choice for some may not suit others. Keep an open mind, seek input, and carefully weigh all aspects of homeschooling compared to public or private schools. Take time to imagine your child journeying successfully through either path. As their needs change from year to year, remain flexible to pivot between educational environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homeschooling legal?
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 U.S. states. Each state has specific regulations governing required subjects, curriculum approval, instructor qualifications, testing/evaluation requirements, and compliance monitoring. Most mandate core subjects like math, language arts, science and social studies be taught. Consulting your state education department ensures you meet all homeschooling criteria.
What are the qualifications to homeschool my child?
Homeschooling Qualifications to homeschool vary by state but typically involve minimal requirements. In most states, parents simply file a notice of intent to homeschool with the district or state education department. Some states require standardized testing or an assessment by a certified teacher. Just a high school diploma or GED is needed in many states, while others require parents have some college credits. Teacher certification is not mandatory in any state.
How do homeschooled students get into college?
Homeschooled students have multiple paths to college acceptance. Many apply as “non-traditionally” educated students and submit portfolios of academic work, ACT/SAT scores, GED certificate, or community college credit in lieu of transcripts. Some take community college classes while homeschooling specifically to build a college transcript. Letters of recommendation from homeschooling networks or tutors can also demonstrate readiness.
Because homeschooled students aren’t ranked within a graduating class, admissions officers focus more on well-rounded interests, test scores, essays, and interviews. Documentation of academic achievement through detailed records helps, as do rigorous SAT subject tests. Homeschooled students generally fare very well in college admissions.
Does homeschooling properly prepare children for college?
With the right approach homeschooling can absolutely prepare students for the rigors of college academics. But the untraditional path does require parents intentionally build study skills, self-motivation, time management, and subject matter mastery. Utilizing advanced curricula, engaging tutors, enrolling in community college courses, and participating in academic co-ops ensures readiness. Standardized testing also helps access skills against grade level norms.
The flexible schedule of homeschooling teaches students to be self-directed learners. The independent research, reading comprehension and writing required develops strong background knowledge. Customization helps accelerate or remediate appropriately to build a solid academic foundation. Homeschooled students used to self-pacing and autonomous learning often thrive in college.
Is socialization a challenge for homeschooled children?
Socialization is a common concern but not inherent drawback of homeschooling. While students interact primarily with family at home, involvement in sports teams, clubs, co-ops, youth groups, volunteer work and part-time jobs provides peer socialization. Group classes and activities allow friendship building and teamwork practice. Community groups, camps and competitions offer exposure to different ages and backgrounds.
Studies show homeschooled children generally demonstrate equal or stronger social skills compared to traditionally schooled peers. Constant interaction with diverse demographics versus a same-age classroom aids confidence and communication abilities. Protecting introverted students from excessive social pressure also helps them build social skills at a comfortable pace.
How can a single parent manage working and homeschooling?
- Set a structured schedule with regular school hours while you work from home or arrange a flexible work schedule. Take advantage of free online learning platforms, lessons and resources that require minimal supervision once assigned to allow you to work simultaneously.
- If flexibility to teach during the day isn’t possible, consider switching to homeschooling curriculum designed for independent evening and weekend instruction. Evaluate your income needs and expenses to determine if part-time work or job sharing is feasible.
- For single parents who need to work full-time outside the home, forming a small cooperative with 2-3 other homeschooling families to share instruction time is an option. Kids rotate homes for lessons from each parent.
- Seek help from family members willing to assist with some instruction each week. Or budget for a qualified tutor that can supplement your lessons and provide supervision when you’re unavailable.
How much does homeschooling cost compared to traditional schools?
Homeschool costs vary significantly based on curriculum choices, number of enrolled students, extracurricular activities, and any outside instruction. But for most families, it is notably cheaper than private school and on par or less than public school when you factor in associated expenses. Homeschooling eliminates transportation, food, childcare, and other fees while allowing a possible reduction to single family income.
Average per-child costs of homeschooling range from $500-$3000+ annually depending on the parent’s teaching style and resources invested in. Buying new, complete curriculum packages from top publishers, advanced tech tools, private tutors/lessons, and abundant activities falls on the high end of the spectrum. More affordable options include creating your own curriculum, utilizing free/used resources, focusing on core subjects, and limiting outside activities.
By comparison, average costs for public school per child land between $12,000-$13,000 when including associated fees, transportation, meals, supplies and more that families cover in addition to taxpayer contributions. Private school tuition alone often exceeds $10,000 annually per student with additional costs on top. Clearly homeschooling can provide massive cost savings for many families.