Two Great Myths Surrounding Homeschooling

“Wait. You were homeschooled? Really? But you seem so normal!” If you were homeschooled, you have probably heard this at least a few times during college. If you were not homeschooled but met a homeschooler, chances are that you expressed the same puzzled exclamation. This question is just one of many formerly-homeschooled college students face, to which we have our set responses. “Yes, I had to take exams.” “No, I was not allowed to stay in my PJs.” “No, college was not a difficult transition.” “Yes, I was socialized.” “Yes, I skipped a grade (or 3).” “No, my parents are not radical fundamentalists prone to conspiracy theories.”

When comparing homeschooled students to the average college student, one might expect that those homeschooled would have lower GPAs, be less socialized, participate in fewer athletic or social clubs, and experience a shocking transition from the straight-laced home to the liberal college campus. These assumptions boil down to two basic myths: the myth of socialization and the myth of academic performance. Studies, however, tell a different story.

1. The Myth of Socialization Homeschoolers, on average, are actually better socialized than most high school students, says Joe Kelly, an author and parenting expert who home-schooled his twin daughters. “I know that sounds counterintuitive because they’re not around dozens or hundreds of other kids every day, but I would argue that’s why they’re better socialized,” Kelly says. “Many home-schoolers play on athletic teams, but they’re also interactive with students of different ages.” Furthermore, home-schooled students often spend less time in class, Kelly says, giving them more opportunity to get out into the world and engage with adults and teens alike.

2. The Myth of Academic Performance Students coming from a home school graduated college at a higher rate than their peers – 66.7 percent compared to 57.5 percent – and earned higher grade point averages along the way, according to a study that compared students at one doctoral university from 2004-2009. Homeschooling undergirds the basic independence and curiosity of children and teenagers by promoting a wide range of learning while also allowing for more time to pursue non-academic studies (i.e. music, sports, theater, culinary arts, etc.). To read more about homeschool myth-busting, check out this article by Kelsey Sheehy of the Huffington Post.