More than 2 million U.S. students in
grades K-12 were home-schooled in 2010, accounting for nearly 4 percent
of all school-aged children, according to the National Home Education Research Institute. Studies suggest that those who go on to college will outperform their peers.
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.
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.”
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.
“The socialization thing is really a nonissue for most home schoolers,” he says. “They’re getting a lot of it.”
