reasons for homeschooling?

5) What are your reasons for homeschooling?

Autonomy:
There are many. I was part of the public school system for many years and in many cities and states. I have never attended one that met all my needs. I have a very high IQ and was labeled “gifted”. I needed more freedom and more autonomy over my learning than was possible in a public school setting. I wanted to ensure my children had that autonomy and that they had all their needs met.

Individualized learning:
There are 30 children per teacher in many inner city public schools. Many burn out teachers, that are barely doing more than crowd control. At home my children have a variety of ratios from one on one to three to one. We can choose to be around other people and do work with them or not. My children have individual attention, that is important to me.

Safety:
There are no bullies at home.

Continuity:
My children are free to explore what they want when they want. If they are in the middle of work that is enjoyable and engaging they do not have to stop to move onto another subject or project. That can see things through to completion or at least until they get what they need from the work.

Diversity and Socialization:
My kids are socialized around humans of various ages, genders, races, abilities, etc. The whole world is open for them to explore. This is the most important reason we homeschool. I don’t want my children raised largely by other children their age. They are wholly part of our family and an integral part of our world.

Freedom and Joy for Learning:
My children are obligated to take the standardized testing as deemed necessary by our state. Many schools teach specifically to the tests available. My children are free to learn what is natural and integrated into their real lives. My oldest has scored top marks on all the tests in all the subjects giving. She has never once had a text book or worksheet. She has learned all the concepts because they are important and real. They are a part of who she is not a body of knowledge forced into her. This is important to me. She has a real spark, a joy for learning and discovering (still at almost 13).

Joyful Family and Wonderful People:
For these and many other reason we homeschool. I am not sure why you wrote that unschooling is not a valid way to homeschool but it works for our family. We have brilliant, out going, intelligent, bright, engaging, interesting, children. In fact the thing that sets them apart from their schooled friends is that light that emanates from their very beings.