Education is becoming a more personalized experience for children and their families. Independent study schools, like Compass Charter Schools (CCS), provide scholars throughout California access to a quality, public education while offering the flexibility to design a personalized learning experience. Why do families choose to homeschool? Some families want to travel while their children continue learning. Or, perhaps a child was being bullied at traditional a brick and mortar school and needs a better social experience. Or, perhaps a child just needs more challenging curriculum options. The reasons why families choose to homeschool are endless!
So, how exactly can parents tell if homeschooling is right for their children? There are a few simple questions that parents can ask and steps they can take to determine if it’s right for their family. Here are five clear signs that homeschooling may be the best choice for families that need more personalized learning experiences:
My Family Needs More Flexibility
Parents can ask themselves a few simple questions to determine if homeschooling is the right choice for their family. For example, does their family have a very busy schedule with a variety of commitments like sports, music lessons, and volunteering? Does their family enjoy traveling? Do they have older children that need to work while in school? Do their children prefer to learn in the afternoon and evening instead of bright and early in the morning? If so, homeschooling may be a good fit. It allows parents and scholars to work together to create a personalized learning schedule. A family with several commitments or preferences may need to schedule learning time early in the morning or later in the evening, instead of during the traditional schedule at brick-and-mortar schools.
Families that choose to homeschool with CCS work closely with an Educational Facilitator (EF) who understands the unique needs of their homeschooled scholars and their families. They offer guidance and support to help families use the flexibility wisely and create successful, personalized learning schedules. Homeschooling is a great option for families that need more flexibility in their daily schedules.
I Want the Freedom to Choose
Homeschooling has become increasingly popular over the last few years because it offers parents the ability to choose the curriculum that best meets their child’s needs and personal learning styles. For example, some children are visual learners, while others maybe audio learners. Families that choose to homeschool have the freedom to choose a curriculum that meets their child’s learning needs and helps them succeed academically. Many families also choose their own curriculum because it often allows for more field trips and hands-on learning experiences for their scholars!
My Child Is Academically Struggling
Homeschooling may be a good fit for children who are academically struggling in traditional brick and mortar schools. Some children may have difficulty focusing on their coursework while learning in a classroom due to a variety of distractions. Other children may simply learn at a different pace or with a learning style that is not used in a traditional classroom. Homeschooling is a great option for parents who notice that their child is frustrated with their classroom experience or falling behind in their school work. It allows parents to create learning environments with fewer distractions so that their child can put more focus on their academics, and it gives parents the freedom to create customized learning experiences that fit their child’s needs.
I Want to be More Involved in My Child’s Education
Parents take different approaches when it comes to their child’s education. Some parents prefer to take a hands-off approach by allowing teachers to take the lead on their child’s education. Other parents enjoy being more involved in their education and have a desire to take the lead when it comes to teaching them. Parents that want to be more involved often volunteer as a member of a governing parent group, much like CCS’ Parent Advisory Council. They may also value having consistent communication with the school administration and enjoy supporting their child’s learning on a daily basis.
While both parenting approaches have their pros and cons, it is likely that a parent who wants to take a more hands-on approach will enjoy homeschooling their children through an Options Program. Homeschooling does require a commitment from parents because they are responsible for leading their child’s education every day for every school subject. They are accountable for assigning, tracking and grading their child’s assignments. Children who are homeschooled lean on their parents for support every day to help them stay on track, stay focused and help answer any questions they may have about their coursework.
My Child Needs More Positive Social Experiences
There is a myth floating around that says children who are homeschooled lack social skills, but that is simply not true. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Homeschooling offers a variety of unique, positive social experiences for children. Some children don’t have positive learning or social experiences at traditional brick and mortar schools for several reasons including lack of teacher support, bullying and much more. Traditional schools also tend to offer fewer opportunities for children to socialize with a variety of people because the children are often subjected to engaging with the same group of adults and peers every day. Homeschooling allows parents to introduce their children to new people on a daily basis and it allows parents to guide their children as they learn how to engage and interact with other people. We encourage parents who are considering homeschooling to have an open and honest discussion with their child to see if it’s something that interests them. An open discussion gives children the opportunity to share their current experiences at school and it allows them to share their thoughts about homeschooling and how it can improve their overall academic and social experiences.
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Compass Charter Schools (CCS) is a WASC-accredited virtual charter school that serves families throughout California. Interested in learning more about CCS’ flexible academic programs? Visit our website, or contact our enrollment team at enrollment@compasscharters.org or (877) 506-8631.