It is one of the biggest decisions homeschool families have to make. I know parents who literally spend years of prayer and have many hours of discussion before making such a choice. This particular decision can change the life of a child in ways we cannot always comprehend…in both positive and negative aspects. I believe that other than choosing to homeschool, it is one of the most challenging determinations for some families to make.

Should we homeschool through high school?

After talking with parents, it amazed me that such competent, loving and devout believers struggle with this issue. I don’t mean that in a critical way, but for me it was a no-brainer. Now, many of you will say that my confidence comes from having taught school. But in reality, my confidence comes from the Lord. For me, I read the scripture, Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6 NAS), and noticed that "child" was not defined as "until he is in high school". Before I get anyone really riled up, let me answer one question. Do I believe that every family should homeschool in high school? Well, to be honest, it doesn’t matter what I believe…it’s what you believe and where God leads your family. However, I do think that we often do things in this life for worldly reasons, particularly when it comes to our children. We teach them about eternity, but are we showing them how to live it out? This is a conviction that has long plagued me, especially when it comes to making difficult, life changing decisions. While teaching my children through high school wasn’t one of those decisions, I have plenty of others. So, as you read on, please do not see me as standing in judgment of whether you homeschool high school or not, but rather as a presenter of ideas to open up a possible train of thought and aid you in carefully thinking through your decision.

Reasons that people have given me for sending their kids to public high school:

1. I can’t homeschool high school. I barely made it through myself.  While I understand your thinking, it’s not true in many cases. (At least the first part!)There is a great fear about high school because suddenly accountability is so high. Credits must be earned to get into college. I remember when I had to teach Geometry to Ally . It was a nightmare for me initially because I didn’t understand Geometry when I took it. I just don’t think that way. However, I really had to give that class over to the Lord. I didn’t know about great interactive curriculum like Teaching Textbooks and Math U See at the time. I think we used a BJU textbook. But we made it through and I learned a great deal! Was I the most qualified teacher for Ally in this subject area? Definitely not!  Was I the person who was supposed to be teaching her this subject? I believe so. God doesn’t just fill in the gaps where we are weak, He gives us the Holy Spirit to pray us through those weaknesses and ask for the things that we cannot even express!  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:26 NIV) God has also provided others to assist me in homeschooling. Ally and I will always have a special place in our hearts for Marie Owens, homeschool mom and College of Charleston professor because she did Ally’s biology labs with her. Marie not only encouraged Ally in her love for science, but she was such an example of a scientist who loves the Lord. Next year, my son is taking Chemistry from another mom and teacher. When I met her, I praised God for her and will continue to do so!  Between local teachers, online courses and well written curriculum, I firmly believe that anyone who has the desire and trusts in the Lord can homeschool through high school, despite perceived educational weaknesses.

2. I have smaller children and I really don’t have the time. I was recently reading a book about business consulting by Dr. Alan Weiss. He goes beyond business in the book and really addresses the heart of any person’s life when he says. "When you say you don’t have time to see your kids’ events, you really mean that other things are more important and you’ve decided not see their events." Now, he is speaking of priorities and business people who neglect their families for work with the excuse of "I don’t have the time." We make time for the things that are most vital to all of us in this life. We prioritize without thought sometimes. Imagine that you have found the time for your child for the last 13 years and yet, when it comes to high school, you don’t have it. You have invested so much into someone and then "lost" that time somewhere? Ironically, I have found that even though my children have taken the bulk of their high school courses with me and not outside the home, I spent less time on school with them in high school than any other school years. My time is more concentrated and thought out, but I make it despite being a full time freelance writer, half of Epi Kardia, teacher of other children and all of those other things we all do for church, friends, family etc. I am not super woman…not even close. Many of you with your multitude of children deserve that title much more than me, but I do ask God continually to help me prioritize. If you feel certain that God wants you to place other priorities over educating your high schooler then you are where you should be. If not, I would advise more prayer about it before making the decision.

3. My teen is well grounded in his faith and I see public high school as a mission field for him. Imagine how many other teens he can impact! I think that of all of the reasons I have heard in defense of not homeschooling high school, this is the one that affects me the most. The term that comes to mind is "leading the lamb to the slaughter." If God calls you to be an Abraham and to sacrifice your Isaac, by all means, obey Him. That is always the truth…obey God. He will always honor you for it. However, I would be absolutely certain that you are hearing God’s voice in this. In most cases, public school is a battle ground and you are sending your child into battle. I have taught in public school and it truly is a mission field, but before you put your teen into that mission field, be sure that God is supporting that mission. I often visualize myself standing before God as a parent, knowing that He will hold me accountable for who my children become in this world. If I do not make discipling them a priority, how can I ever disciple others effectively? I know that I have and will make many errors as a parent, but I’d rather those errors be out of ignorance, not choice.

4. My teen wants to play sports and he can’t play it outside of school. At least this is logical, although rather worldly. If your child is destined to be the next NBA star, God is not going to let school choice stop him. This is one of those areas when I feel we become more worldly than wise. I know of many high school homeschoolers whose children are very active in sports through private leagues and recreation departments. Some private schools allow outside students to play. My son currently practices Lacrosse with a private school because he likes their attitude better than the recreation department league. I called the school and asked, and they said "Yes." I praised God for that! It was an answer to prayer that took some time, but the wait was worth it.

Reasons that I have heard for why people homeschool high school include:

1. For his [her son's] emotional and psychological wellbeing. I was so afraid of him getting lost in the system and falling through the cracks. I felt like no one really cared about him or his education. -Sharon, a homeschool mom who pulled her son out of public school in his sophomore year.

2. The main reasons we homeschool in high school are we really enjoyed home schooling and the kids wanted to continue; they felt like they had superior learning and with outside classes with other kids, they wanted to maintain the strong relationships they had developed.  They had time to be involved in youth groups and we liked the flexibility. I had actually told my children we would not home school in high school, but once the doors opened up with what they needed, we found a comfort level making that commitment. I would sum it up as just a different quality of life.  -Sandy, a homeschool mom who has homeschooled from earlier years.

3. The reasons for homeschooling in high school do not change from homeschooling in earlier years. They’re basically the same reasons we started homeschooling to begin with. First of all, we feel like God’s called us to it. Secondly, we enjoy it. We love having our son with us, being involved in his education and him being part of our everyday lives. -Susan, a homeschool mom who’s son started out in private Christian school.

4. As she was wondering about going to public high school, we prayed with my oldest during her last year of middle school.  As parents, we did not have  peace about sending her to high school–why would we give her up now, during this crucial time?  As she prayed, she came to the conclusion on her own that her prayer and study time with the Lord would be drastically limited if she went to public school. (Besides, they wouldn’t let her go in pajamas.)Those high school years were among the most precious with her–God blessed her mightily, in many ways, as well as blessing us with a very close relationship as a result of that time together. –Dana, the other half of Epi Kardia.   

Finally, if you’re interested, I should include the reasons we homeschool. A calling from God is definitely the main reason for our homeschooling. Establishing strong relationships with my children beyond the norm, being able to disciple them on a near to full time basis and taking responsibility for their entire education, spiritually, emotionally and academically, all affected our homeschool decision. To be honest, John Paul and I, the only ones at home at this point, also enjoy the flexibility of creating our own days without the government telling us when to do what. 

I hope that this blog has been thought provoking and encouraging. Prayerful consideration and trust in the Lord will never lead you astray. I pray this for you, our readers, as well as for Dana and me.

Many blessings!

Beth