Why Homeschool Teens?
by Elizabeth Smith
When our children reach the high school years, we begin to question whether homeschooling can really provide them with what they need—spiritually, socially, and academically. But homeschooling is effective in high school for the same reasons it is effective in the younger grades. As a matter of fact, homeschooling in high school can yield great dividends in the life of your teen.
Here are 10 reasons why you might want to consider homeschooling your teen.
1. Continue the Family-Building Process
The teen years are a strategic time to cement relationships that last a lifetime. Parents can continue as the primary role models. You can make sure that your teen is instructed and discipled consistently each day with moral training and sound doctrine.
2. Cement Family Relationships
Relationships are the most important thing in family life. When teens are away from home for six-to-eight hours a day, subtle changes begin to erode relationships at home. Divided allegiance or "serving two masters" can shake their foundation. The result is weakened family ties and parental influence.
3. Provide an Excellent Learning Environment
Receiving one-on-one instruction is the most effective way to learn. At home, academics have priority, and there are no classroom distractions. Conversely, studies show that barely one third of the school day in traditional high schools is dedicated to academics.
4. Individualize Education Based on Needs
You can customize your teen's education to provide motivating opportunities to develop gifts and abilities. In areas of academic weakness, you can provide extra time and help. No classroom setting can offer this consistent and loving support.
5. Accelerate Academic Progress
Many homeschooled children are academically ready to do college-level work between the ages of 14 and 16. Additionally, researchers have found that age/grade isolation or segregation actually inhibits socialization. Available data demonstrates that homeschooled children are ahead of their public school counterparts in maturity, socialization, and vocabulary development.
6. Have Direct Influence over Peer Relationships
Homeschooling allows parents to fulfill their God-given responsibility to oversee the choices and amount of time spent outside the family. Parents can mentor their teens as they develop the
important lifeskills of evaluating and choosing friends, resolving conflicts, and handling romantic relationships.
7. Protect from the Pressure to Conform
Teens feel strong pressure to compromise their standards and personal identity to conform to "the group." Few are mature enough to withstand constant pressure.
8. Maintain Flexibility
Homeschooling allows great flexibility for family plans and work or service opportunities. Through these venues, teens can gain valuable experience to help prepare them for future adult responsibilities.
9. Create a Safe Learning Environment
News headlines tell us that the presence of drugs and violence are escalating on high school campuses across the country. Homeschooling offers a safe haven for learning, and it provides more opportunity for parents to recognize and lovingly intervene if their child exhibits at-risk behavior.
10. Allow God to Show Himself Strong
2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." Let us look to God and trust Him as our provider during these special years.