If I homeschool, do I have to be an expert in every subject?
No. Many homeschooling families choose to participate in co-ops or find classes for their children, especially in high school. Homeschooling families in the Brazos Valley are very blessed to have many options for educational classes. The Community Homeschool Center, One Day Academy, and Blinn College are a few examples of ways that parents get assistance in educating their child. The key difference is that parents make the choice for their child and that is why we like to say Parent-Directed Education versus homeschool.
If I homeschool, what opportunities will my children have for socialization?
Due to the freedom and flexibilty of homeschooling, children often get as much or more opportunities for socialization than their institutionalized peers. First, socialization can be achieved through a homeschool co-op or other group classes as mentioned above. Second, many homeschool families are involved with a church group where their children have opportunities to meet friends and engage in activities with students their age. Last, sports, music, and other extra-curricular activities provide a great opportunity to socialize and meet other students. The difference is that homeschool parents usually have a better grasp on who is influencing their child.
If I homeschool, what opportunities are available for my child to play sports?
Aggieland Homeschool Athletics is an organization in this community that provides athletic opportunities for homeschool students. In the Brazos Valley, students can play volleyball, football, basketball, baseball, and other sports. Each year this list grows as homeschool students become interested in the sport of their choice. We not only compete with other homeschool teams, but also private and public schools. Homeschooling allows students to be more efficient with their time which leads to more time for sports and extra-curricular activities.
What do I need to consider if I want to homeschool my high school student? (See our Homeschooling in High School document for explanations of the points below.)
Your responsibility
Your availability and family dynamic
The financial cost
Your student's attitude
Your student's future goals
The possibility of your student returning to public or private school if homeschooling doesn't work out for your family