The Advantages of Homeschooling

Homeschooling does not come without its challenges and sacrifices. So why do it? There are undeniably many advantages of homeschooling. They range from improved academic outcomes to saving the cost of private schooling to the joys of spending more time together as a family. For Catholic families that have embraced homeschooling, the reasons are many. . . and are worth it!

Integrating Faith into Learning
Homeschooling gives you the opportunity to infuse the Catholic faith into your children’s curriculum, learning methods, critical thinking development, and understanding the world around us. For the Catholic homeschooling family, this is one of the most important advantages of homeschooling. Educating your children at home gives you and your whole family the opportunity to grow in your faith while you live your daily life. 

Personalized Education
Homeschooling parents are able to tailor their educational methodology and pace to meet the specific needs of their child. Since learning is accomplished in a one-on-one environment, a homeschooling parent is able to identify areas that need more attention and areas that have been quickly mastered. The flexibility of homeschooling allows parents the ability to change their approach or adjust their style if something isn’t working well. They also are able to let their children work independently, while still being available for guidance as needed.

Affordability
Large Catholic families may face financial challenges when considering the education of their children. Sending a big brood to private Catholic schools can be out of reach for low or middle income families, especially if those families are also trying to save for college. While homeschooling is not without its own costs, they pale in comparison to the costs of sending all your kids to private Catholic schools. 

More Options for Education
Back in the day, families who chose to homeschool had a limited number of curriculum resources to choose from. Today, those options have multiplied. You can find a variety of curriculum providers, online options ranging from part to full-time programs, free resources, and hybrid programs. Libraries have stepped up to cater to the needs of homeschoolers. Community colleges offer enrollment for homeschool high school students. And you can find or easily start a co-op program in your area to share in teaching with those near you.

Educational Excellence
One of the most significant advantages of homeschooling is the fact that homeschoolers consistency excel in academics when compared to their peers in traditional school settings. Homeschoolers, on average, score higher on standardized test scores, and attend college at a higher rate than the average public school student. 

Custom Education Goals and Methods for Special Needs and Gifted Students
Many of us find ourselves blessed with children who do not follow a typical learning model or style. A child who has special needs and abilities, and those children who are gifted intellectually, often do not fit in well to standardized schooling models or methodologies. The extra attention these children can get from homeschooling can help them reach their full potential. A homeschooling parent is able to be responsive to particular interests and can adapt to the pace of learning that varies among children with special and diverse gifts. The special needs of disabled children can be fully met. And gifted children are able to nurture their creativity and set their own pace of learning that can better respond to their intellectual gifts.

Safer Environment
Many parents are concerned about the safety of their children in traditional school settings, especially public school environments. Homeschooling offers the ability of parents to manage their children’s environment to avoid some of the risks of public schools, including bullying, harassment, exposure to drugs or alcohol, and sexual abuse. Homeschooling parents are not naive. We all realize that these dangers can be encountered in many settings. But having your children with you for most of the day, and being able to pick and being involved in enriching social activities, is a protection from some of the harmful encounters they may face in a typical school setting.

Homeschooling and Rebuilding Catholic Culture
Incorporating the Catholic faith into one of the fundamental qualities of our development, that of education, is a way of advancing Catholic culture in the world around us. Our families can use homeschooling to increase unity in Christ, promote and model holiness, and practice self-sacrifice. Catholic culture includes the beauty, truth, and goodness of Catholic liturgy, art, music, literature, architecture, and social and moral tradition. By homeschooling, we are able to not just incorporate these into our children’s education, but we can celebrate, enjoy, and honor them as well.