Public Schools vs Homeschooling

It is not an easy task to get up early every morning in order to get one’s child ready for school. Your child might feel the same way about the prospect of having to say goodbye to you in order to go to school and begin the routine all over again. Read on to learn more about public schools vs homeschooling.

Some of us would like to completely sidestep the formal education system. This form of education is losing some of its significance in a world that is increasingly reliant on technological advancement.

Is it then possible to educate children at home? It is essential to make an educated choice, despite the fact that one can continue to argue the merits and demerits of the situation. To assist you in making an educated decision regarding the education of your child, here’s what you have to know about public schools vs homeschooling.

What exactly does “homeschooling” mean?

Educating a child at home is the definition of homeschooling. Homeschooling is a form of education that is permitted in many nations around the world, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and other nations.

Some parents opt not to enroll their children in public schools for a variety of reasons, including dissatisfaction with the curriculum, the methods of instruction, and concerns related to the child’s religious upbringing.

Public Schools vs Homeschooling: Advantages of Homeschooling

Homeschooling is one of the world’s oldest forms of education, despite the fact that it is often categorized as an alternative method of acquiring knowledge today. You got that right.

Before there were public schools, most people received their education from their parents or privately hired tutors in the comfort of their own homes. There are still many people who believe that homeschooling is superior to the current educational system, despite the fact that public schools and private schools have both become the norm in recent decades. Here are ten reasons why that is the case.

1. Personalized one-on-one instruction.

The typical number of students in a classroom in public schools across the United States, on average, falls somewhere between 19 and 35. (1). While a teacher in a public school is expected to pay attention to each of the students in their classroom, a parent who educates their child at home is more likely to concentrate on just one of their children.

It is not always possible for a teacher to assist a student when they require assistance. But if you choose to educate your child at home, they will receive assistance with the topic right away. If a parent has more than one child attending the same classes, their attention may be split in a few different directions.

When a teacher works with a student on an individual basis, they are better able to assess the student’s level of knowledge and identify any gaps in that knowledge. In addition to this, a parent who homeschools their child has the freedom to linger over a particular subject for an extended period of time if the child requires additional time to comprehend it.

2. Flexible schedules.

It is imperative that you set an alarm for the wee hours of the morning every single day if your child attends a public school. It’s possible that every morning you have to compete against the clock in order to get your child to school on time. In the midst of all the mayhem, the child will frequently forget to eat breakfast, which is the most essential meal of the day.

Because you are in control of your child’s and your own schedule, homeschooling allows for more laid-back mornings and more flexibility when it comes to setting study and play times.

As a result of this, it is recommended that you create a daily schedule for the child and do your best to stick to it in order to teach them discipline. You are able to make adjustments to the schedules on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis.

3. Education for its own sake, rather than for grades.

Children who are enrolled in schools need to maintain good grades in order to advance to higher levels. They are motivated to outperform their peers and achieve higher scores in order to gain admission to prestigious educational institutions as a result of competition.

When they go to school, this continues to be the primary focus of their attention. Even though they do learn the topic, the amount of information they retain may not be sufficient for knowledge’s sake.

Because there is no competition in homeschooling, both the child and the parent are more likely to be motivated to learn for the sake of acquiring knowledge and putting that knowledge into practice.

4. The direction of the instructional program.

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I really wish that my children could learn this in school”? If you decide to teach your children at home, you have the ability to instill in them the values and beliefs that you hold dear. You have the ability to incorporate anything from religious studies and humanities to basic manners and etiquette into your curriculum.

In a similar vein, you have the ability to choose when the child will learn a subject as well as how much information they will acquire about that subject. You are free to include additional topics in which your child has a strong interest and to omit anything that you believe is inappropriate or unnecessary for someone of his or her age. You also have the freedom to include your family’s values, which may not be compatible with the curriculum at a public school if you send your children there.

You can also choose your own learning styles or tailor your teaching to fit the dominant learning style of the child. Both of these options are available to you. You have the option of teaching students solely through the use of online modules, or you could combine reading from online modules and traditional textbooks.

5. Saves time.

When the child starts school, there are a few things that need to be taken care of on your end. Getting ready for school each day consumes a significant portion of one’s day. Going back and forth, waiting for the school bus, and a lot of other things to do.

If you choose to educate your child at home, you will not only save time but also avoid the burden of daily homework. In order for you to free up the rest of the day for other pursuits, you can ensure that the child studies during the allotted time and retain the information that is taught to them during that time.

6. The formation of bonds between parents and children.

Because you are able to spend more time with your child on a daily basis when you homeschool them, the two of you will become more familiar with one another. Spending quality time with your child is not only one of the most effective ways to teach them manners, social or public behavior, and personal boundaries, but it is also one of the most enjoyable ways to do so.

7. A secure setting for academic pursuits.

The world does not seem to be such a terrible place. However, there are individuals who are capable of causing significant harm to your child. The child is susceptible to a variety of dangers in the wider world, including harassment, sexual assault, being subjected to negative influence, and being abused either mentally or physically. If you choose to educate your child at home, you can help shield them from some of the negative influences that are prevalent in society.

In addition to this, you won’t have to stress about driving the child to school on days when the weather is bad.

8. Reduced amount of paperwork

A child who is currently enrolled in school is typically inundated with a variety of academic demands, including projects, assignments, examinations, and homework. When you add the pressure of finishing all of these tasks on time to the mix, you have a child or teenager who is stressed out. The absence of such paperwork makes homeschooling a less stressful educational option.

In point of fact, you are able to teach your child at home using technology. For instance, you can deliver lectures on difficult subject matter in the fields of mathematics and science by using the learning resources available online.

9. Pay attention to the abilities of the child.

The goal of education provided by the public school system is to familiarize children with a wide variety of subjects and topics. Therefore, a child who attends school might know more on a general level, but only to a limited extent.

However, this is not always the case when students are educated at home. When you homeschool your child, you have the flexibility to zero in on a topic or subject area that particularly piques their interest.

Public Schools vs Homeschooling: Disadvantages of Homeschooling

There are approximately 73.8 million children in the United States who are under the age of 18 at this time. Out of those children, only about 2.3 million are educated at home, while the remaining children attend either public or private schools.

It’s possible that homeschooling is superior to traditional schooling in some respects, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. Here are the reasons why:

1. Expensive

If you decide to educate your children at home, you won’t have to worry about paying for things like tuition, transportation, food, or school supplies. It’s possible that you believe public schools are more expensive than homeschooling, but that’s not necessarily the case.

But is it really? Consider the implications.

If you decide to give your child a home-based education, you will need to set aside any professional goals or aspirations you may have in order to give your full attention to the task of educating your child. That means there will be one less paycheck coming into the family, but the expenses will remain roughly the same.

2. The absence of any structure.

Homeschooling lacks the organization and structure of public schools, which also provide a more well-rounded education. The educational program at this institution makes use of teaching strategies that have been demonstrated to be effective, credible sources of data, and standardized tests.

A parent who homeschools their children has fewer resources at their disposal and must rely on themselves not only to devise a structure but also to stick to it. That is much simpler to say than it is to accomplish.

3. A restricted range of topics covered.

Your child will be introduced, albeit superficially, to a wide range of subjects if they receive their education in a public school setting. Your child has some knowledge about the various subfields of mathematics, science, the humanities, literature, and language. They also have some knowledge about the subjects as a whole. Children have to study and demonstrate an understanding of these topics in order to achieve high grades and progress to more advanced levels.

When a child is educated at home, his or her parents have the option of deciding how much exposure to a particular topic their child receives, including whether or not the topic is even covered at all. Additionally, unless a parent is an expert in the subject area, it is not always possible for them to instruct their child in difficult subject areas such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, or calculus. The amount of knowledge that a child can acquire through homeschooling is consequently restricted as a result of this.

4. A lack of qualified and experienced faculty members.

Parents who choose to educate their children at home may or may not have the necessary education or experience to do so effectively. In the vast majority of instances, parents do not have personal experience with homeschooling, and they are typically still gaining knowledge in various subjects.

Therefore, homeschooling is, in the majority of respects, an experiment for all of them. This may prevent the child from receiving the high-quality education that is available in public and private schools from teachers who have the necessary training and expertise.

5. No time apart.

If you decide to teach your child at home, you will be fulfilling the role of both parent and educator. On a typical school day, you will consequently devote the majority of your waking hours to the company of the child. You have the opportunity to foster your own unique passions and concerns within the safe environment of a public school.

Don’t get us wrong. Every parent will tell you that one of the best ways to spend time is with the children, and they are all right. However, there are times when you need time to yourself, away from the children, which can be provided by a public school.

6. Justifying oneself before one’s own family and friends.

It is not very common for a parent to opt for homeschooling rather than sending their child to public school, particularly if no one else in the household has ever been homeschooled.

Therefore, it is possible that you will find that you need to justify your decision to the people closest to you, such as your friends and family. Because there are fewer supporters of homeschooling than there are of public schools, parents who choose to educate their children at home are frequently subjected to social criticism.

However, it appears that the trends are shifting, as the percentage of individuals who are opposed to homeschooling has decreased.

There is a widespread misconception, especially among children and younger people, that homeschooling children are strange. This is an additional factor that you might want to take into consideration. All of this criticism and questioning can even plant seeds of doubt in your mind, and sooner or later, you will find yourself wondering if you made the best decision possible.

7. No socialization.

When a child receives an education at home, he or she may have fewer opportunities to interact with other children the same age. Even if he does, he will not have the same opportunities to learn and grow as children who attend regular schools. They are unable to participate in school activities such as field trips, group projects, having lunch with friends, experiencing a first crush, and many other things.

It’s not that children who are educated at home are bad at making friends; it’s just that they might not experience the same developmental milestones or key moments as their peers who go to traditional schools.

8. A restricted ability to participate in sports.

When you homeschool your child, you may choose to instruct them on how to play a few games and sports. However, they might not have as many opportunities to participate in recreational team sports on a regular basis. Their opportunities to participate in professional team sports, which can even get them into universities for higher education, are diminished when they receive their education at home.

The majority of parents who opt to educate their children at home do not get to take advantage of their summer vacations in the same way that other parents do. They spend a significant amount of time conducting research and putting together lesson plans for the following academic year.

Public Schools vs Homeschooling: Advantages of Public Schools

Since you now have a better understanding of homeschooling and its associated benefits and drawbacks, you may be curious about how traditional public schools compare. Because every child is an individual with their own set of requirements, enrolling them in a public school might not be the best choice.

However, the only way you’ll know for sure that this is the case is if you make the effort to educate yourself about the potential advantages of attending a public school as opposed to teaching your child at home.

The following is a list of the most important advantages that you should think about:

1. The structure of public schools is already in place. Children, and especially young children, do best when they have a consistent schedule, and they demand a great deal of attention and care. It’s possible that homeschooling your kids while also being a stay-at-home mom will prove to be more difficult than you anticipated.
2. Students who are educated at home might not have access to extracurricular activities and electives like sports and the arts, which are typically offered at public schools.
3. Children learn a certain amount of self-reliance and independence while attending a public school. Children, depending on the grade, are responsible for keeping track of their own class schedules, finding their way from one class to another, purchasing their own lunches, and making it to and from the school bus on a daily basis.
4. Teachers in public schools are required to have degrees in education, and they likely have more experience working with and instructing children. The act of instructing a child is distinct from the act of parenting that child, and many parents struggle with balancing both responsibilities.
5. In most cases, the cost of attending public school is lower than that of homeschooling. It is possible to spend more than a thousand dollars on a homeschool curriculum by itself, not including supplies. When your child attends a public school, you will only need to buy supplies once or twice a year, and you can save money by providing their lunches at home.
6. Children who attend public schools have significantly more opportunities for social interaction with their peers than the majority of students who are educated at home. Although there are homeschool co-ops that can be of assistance, attending a public school provides social benefits that are already built in.
7. When you send your children to a public school, you give yourself more time to focus on being a parent. It is not easy to juggle the responsibilities of being a parent and a teacher, especially if you also have to take care of children who are not yet old enough to attend school. This can lead to feelings of exhaustion and frustration.
8. You and your child will have some much-needed time apart when your child attends public school, which not only provides you with a break but also helps your child develop their independence. There is no shame in admitting that you could use a break from your children every once in a while.

Public Schools vs Homeschooling: Advantages of Public Schools

In addition to the advantages that have already been discussed, attending a public school also has a few drawbacks.

Students attending public schools, for instance, are subjected to a schedule that is more rigorous and structured than the majority of homeschooling programs, and they may not have the same degree of freedom and flexibility to personalize their educational experience.

However, if you are unable to fully commit yourself to developing and implementing an effective homeschool curriculum for your child, it is possible that they would be better off attending a public school.

Going to a public school does not come without its own set of difficulties, and homeschooling is not always the preferable alternative. Take the time to carefully consider all of your options and investigate each one from every possible angle before making the decision to homeschool your child. It is up to you to make the most of the opportunities presented to you by the public school system, which may turn out to be a more suitable choice than you had originally thought.

As parents, you know what’s best for your children and now that you’re well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of public schools vs homeschooling, we hope that you’ll be able to make it easier to decide as to which platform you will enroll your child.

At AdmissionSight, we provide highly personalized, hands-on private consulting programs to address any questions as they arise, such as academic advising, extracurricular activities, summer program applications, and college applications. Feel free to set up an appointment today to book your initial consultation.