Madeleine Van Haute
Layout Editor
Private school seems like the obvious choice, right? That’s what I thought too. Private school is practically the same as public school but with short skirts and a few religion classes thrown into the mix.
So, what makes homeschooling better than private schooling? As someone who experienced both, I can assure you that homeschooling prepares you more for the real world than one might think.
First of all, homeschooling is much more specialized and personal. You get to learn more about what you are interested in and you can go at the speed that is best for you. Private school is challenging in this aspect because the class sizes are around 20-30 students. Teachers cannot personalize the class for everyone. Some students end up getting behind, others find it too easy, and the rest are struggling to even stay in the middle of the pack.
Private school completely destroys one’s sleep cycle. Students are expected to do well in their classes, excel athletically, and become involved in academic clubs. All of the expectations that are pushed onto these students so aggressively causes stress and anxiety that they should not have to endure.
Homeschooling is more relaxed and allows the student to take control of their own education. They know what they want and they learn how to manage their time. Along with time management, homeschool students learn other practical life lessons such as how to take initiative and learning to be independent.
Private school uniforms. For four years I wore either a pencil skirt and a polo shirt or a plaid jumper. I was surrounded by other girls whose skirts and jumpers were not hemmed to 1 inch above the knee or longer, as instructed, but were mid-thigh or shorter. Private school uniforms have become absolutely ridiculous and the administration barely does a thing about it. This is an exceedingly uncomfortable problem that homeschoolers do not have to endure.
Some will argue that homeschoolers are not socially educated enough or mentally challenged enough in their academics. In recent years homeschooling groups have started co-ops, which, depending on the co-op, have students homeschooling a certain number of days per week and actually attending classes on days that they are not at home.
Depending on the region, homeschool students are also given the opportunity to join school’s sports teams or create one of their own.
When it comes to academics, homeschooling is just as challenging as private schooling, if not more. Homeschool students are put in charge of their own education with help from their parents. I will admit one’s parents can only do so much educating on their own. When a student reaches high school, most of their education is up to them. They have the text books, perseverance and initiative to teach themselves and succeed. Many homeschoolers are able to skip grades, not because their class work is easier, but because they work hard and understand the value of a good education.
I will admit, I loved going to private school, but let’s be real. Was the most exciting part of the day seeing my friends and going to football games or having the opportunity to learn something new? It was definitely being able to see my friends. Homeschool highlights the importance of education and passes down that love of learning to the next generation.
Students should not be constantly stressed out and wearing inappropriate uniforms. School and the aspect of learning should be exciting and engaging and something that we get to do, not a chore that makes us dread waking up the next day.
We are not at school for the social aspect. We are there to learn and strive to better ourselves and society through our education.
If you are more interested in why homeschooling is better than private schooling, go watch “What Every Catholic School Parent Should Know” by Tim Gordon on YouTube.