The Reality of Homeschooling in Middle and High School

Homeschooling is hard work. It takes consistency, commitment, diligence and steadfastness to do it and do it well. As kids progress out of beginning math skills, math needs to be done 5 days/week. This means that taking one day a week off to do other things entirely is going to require summer school or weekend school. There is no way around this in my opinion and experience. Every parent I know that does a program which leaves just 4 days/week for academic work has a student/s who is not on track to graduate on time.

This means they are behind their public school counterparts in some respects. This means they have not been spending their time doing what is required for competency at the high school graduation level. Think about that.

We have to face the facts when it comes to the largest rocks to fit in to our daily/weekly/monthly/yearly jars of academic choices. There are things our students NEED to know--for daily living and for success in college and/or the work force. All work is not created equally and we have to cull what is nice or fun sometimes so that the real work that needs to be accomplished, IS accomplished.

I'm sad to say that few people I personally know and are homeschooling are really getting the job done. I see students years behind in math, or working on math from several years ago while trying to tackle this year's math. Parents put Bible ahead of core subject areas and shun planning as being less holy or spiritual. This is disastrous. Christians should be at the forefront of order and competency, and knowing the Bible, while critical, is really not even a category that should be a part of school. It is something that stands alone entirely.

I worry for young homeschooling families being influenced by these sweet, yet failing, homeschool mothers whose husbands have failed to lead their home effectively. We cannot expect homeschooling to be looked upon favorably if we support high schoolers who can't even get through Algebra 1 by 11th grade.

In sum, please keep in mind that school must morph as students get further in elementary school. No math curriculum for upper elementary and beyond can be fully done Sept-May at just 4 days/week if you are taking 3 weeks of holiday breaks during that time period. Perhaps you are happy to have your kids do school all summer, and perhaps you are OK with that, too, but realize the decision you are making and stick to the commitment required.