10 Extraordinary Advantages Homeschoolers Have

For many decades past homeschooling was seen as offering very few advantages,and perhaps instead, conferring many disadvantages. But, then the evidence came in. Now there is government studies and private studies by many institutions showing the many positive advantages homeschoolers have.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post. If you want to do my course on how to homeschool, click here.

After reviewing over 200 studies on home education, many of which were summarized in my book Why on Earth Homeschool,, I will talk about 10 of the most notable advantages homeschoolers have in this article.

1. Higher Test Scores

When parents homeschool, they wonder how their children can possibly perform better than school. Yet evidence suggests homeschoolers are almost always performing significantly better than their public school peers.

In a renowned study conducted by Brian Ray, it was discovered that homeschoolers in the United States consistently scored 15-30 percentiles higher than their peers in public schools.

Across the globe, in New South Wales, Australia, homeschoolers similarly excelled, performing at a level one standard deviation above the average.

So, what’s the secret sauce behind these impressive achievements?

It’s not necessarily that homeschoolers are inherently smarter – it’s more about the unique advantages they enjoy.

For starters, homeschoolers benefit from a smaller student-to-teacher ratio, which allows for more personalized attention and tailored instruction.

Moreover, their teachers are often their parents, and this familial connection adds an extra layer of dedication and commitment to their success.

Additionally, homeschooling parents have the flexibility to adapt their homeschooling methods and curricula to suit their child’s interests and learning style.

When education is rooted in a child’s passions, and parents can choose from a plethora of top homeschool curriculum choices, the results tend to be nothing short of exceptional.

2. Students Learn to Teach Themselves

Homeschooling parents have lives busier than a beehive during honey season. Teaching kids while managing the daily chaos might seem like wrangling tornadoes.

But here’s the secret sauce: homeschoolers are self-learners.

It’s like giving kids a treasure map and watching them discover buried knowledge. Teach a child to read, and they become the captains of their educational ship.

Parents aren’t taskmasters; they’re navigators, suggesting cool destinations and leading by example.

The grand plan? Forge lifelong learners.

Even if there are gaps in a homeschooler’s education (as there usually will be), they’re armed with self-motivation.

Imagine a homeschooled student who never touched chemistry, deciding to explore it. With self-motivation and curiosity to rival a cat’s nine lives, they conquer chemistry independently.

Homeschooling creates self-teaching champions, kids who are not just educated but masters of their destiny.

When they need to learn something new, they rise to the occasion and teach themselves.

3. More Life Skills

Imagine this: kids at school spend their days memorizing algebraic equations and history dates, while homeschooled children are at home, learning life skills by observing their parents.

It’s like comparing an apple to a space shuttle – they’re in completely different orbits.

Homeschooled kids have the unique opportunity to master skills by being good old-fashioned nosy learners.

With a mountain of time on their hands, they can perfect a skill or attempt 100 creative ways to fail before finally nailing it.

It’s like watching a circus performer try out 99 different trapeze acts before sticking the perfect landing.

Take it from me, a Grade 3 to high school homeschooled grad! I emerged from this educational adventure with a toolbox bursting with life skills. Cooking, cleaning, vegetable gardening, house renovations, woodworking, and even a pinch of farming – I’ve done it all.

Mastering these skills to the extent I did would have been as challenging as finding a unicorn in a haystack if I had attended regular school.

Homeschooling’s gift of extra time was my golden ticket to becoming a versatile life-skill aficionado.

While traditional school kids endure academics from dawn ’til dusk, homeschoolers breeze through our books in a mere 2 to 3 hours on average.

That’s like finishing a three-course meal while the others are still debating the appetizers. It’s a mighty advantage that sets us up for mastering not just textbooks but life itself.

4. Problem-Solving Skills

In the world of public schools, many curricula sadly struggle to teach children the fine art of independent thinking and problem-solving.

It’s a bit like expecting a sloth to win a sprint, really. But within the cozy confines of home education, parents can serve up a curriculum that’s as exciting as a rollercoaster ride and encourages problem-solving with a gleeful enthusiasm.

Homeschooling is where kids don’t just learn logic; they practically breathe it in with their morning cereal.

Parents, often playing the role of wise mentors, guide their young apprentices on thrilling quests to uncover answers independently.

It’s like sending them on a treasure hunt for mental riches, where ‘Aha!’ moments are the true gold.

With homeschooling, students don’t rush through problems like a high-speed train; they take their time, as unhurried as a gentle breeze in a meadow.

They’re free to tackle challenges in their unique ways, like artists creating masterpieces. This dual approach doesn’t just boost their problem-solving skills; it fills them with the kind of confidence you’d need to challenge a dragon to a game of chess, or any other daring feat.

So, while public school students might be stuck in the ‘teacher knows best’ lane, homeschoolers are weaving their path toward a lifetime of independent problem-solving – all while having a delightful time on their learning journey.

5. More Well-Mannered and Polite Children

The world of public school manners can be a mixed bag – it’s like a box of assorted chocolates; you never quite know what you’re going to get.

Some are as lovely as a well-tended garden, while others, well, let’s just say they’re a bit of a work in progress.

Now, let’s flip the coin to the homeschooling side, where politeness is a hallmark.

Imagine a place where the “Polite Poltergeist” isn’t a ghost story, but a cherished stereotype as you can see in this video.

But what’s the secret sauce behind these well-mannered homeschoolers?

Well, it’s a bit like homeschooling’s very own charm school. Here, parents take on the role of etiquette coaches extraordinaire, training their children in the fine art of good manners.

When kids showcase their impeccable politeness, they’re showered with positive feedback and a chorus of “well done.”

However, when those not-so-pleasant manners rear their heads, it’s not a “C’est la vie” moment; it’s more of a “Let’s get back on track” situation.

In the world of public schools, it’s a bit like a game of roulette – you might get a polite classmate, or you might end up sitting next to someone who thinks swearing and bad manners are the coolest trends since sliced bread.

The peer influence pendulum can swing in unpredictable ways.

So, while public schools have their fair share of etiquette adventurers, homeschoolers are in a league of their own.

They’re well-mannered ambassadors of polite society, showcasing that good behavior isn’t just a trend but a way of life.

And as the saying goes, “Manners maketh the homeschooler.”

6. Less Busywork

Keeping kids engaged for a solid seven hours a day can feel like herding cats on roller skates. So, what’s the solution?

Piling on work that’s as educational as teaching a fish to breakdance. Say hello to the notorious villain – busywork.

Busywork, as the name implies, keeps kids busy but doesn’t contribute much to their actual learning.

It’s like having a buffet with no flavor.

Unfortunately, many school curricula seem to have a soft spot for busywork, and they dole it out generously.

The result?

Boredom, frustration, and a touch of resentment towards learning. It’s like making a race car driver follow a snail’s pace.

The bright ones might start acting out just to keep their minds awake while others lag behind.

Homeschooling is the escape route from this busywork dilemma.

Parents can skip unnecessary tasks, and kids can have a say in designing their homeschool programs, making it as exciting as a thrill ride.

Interest-based learning becomes the turbocharger.

Once they finish their work, they’re not tethered to a worksheet while waiting for others to catch up.

Instead, they’re free to dive into hobbies they love.

Homeschooling lets kids learn at their pace and explore the world with the freedom to have fun.

7. More Time to Focus on Interests

In the realm of traditional schools, kids spend hours upon hours in class, leaving them with about as much free time as a penguin in a desert.

By the time they reach home, they often collapse onto the couch, their energy zapped like a deflated balloon.

Hobbies? Well, they’re a distant mirage at that point.

Now, let’s flip the hourglass and look at the homeschooling advantage. Here, there’s a treasure chest of hours left for kids to chase their passions and hobbies.

After a refreshing break from morning schoolwork, they’re as sprightly as a spring morning, ready to embark on countless exciting adventures.

When young minds rev up like this, they start thinking more, fine-tuning their problem-solving skills, and developing a genuine love for learning that’s downright infectious.

It’s like discovering the secret to perpetual curiosity.

The result?

Kids who seem wiser beyond their years because they’re actively engaged in thought, focusing on what truly piques their interest instead of wrestling with a yawn-inducing busywork sheet or a school routine that may or may not excite them.

With homeschooling, learning becomes an ever-burning flame that lights up the path to lifelong exploration.

8. Families Have More Positive Relationships

In the world of teenagers and their occasional, shall we say, “unique” behaviors, we’ve come to accept a certain level of, well, challenging moments.

It seems like being not-so-nice to parents has become a teenage rite of passage.

But here’s where homeschoolers tend to break the mold. Why is that? Because their closest allies are often their parents and siblings.

They don’t see their folks as “uncool” because they’ve missed out on the schoolyard chorus of “parents just don’t understand.”

Studies echo what homeschoolers already know: their relationships with parents are often more positive compared to the average schoolchild.

Homeschoolers have the luxury of giving their best hours to family members, untarnished by the exhaustion of excessive socialization.

In my personal journey, I wasn’t exactly BFFs with my parents during my school days, and my brothers – lets say, some days it felt like I was trying to spot a rare species of homosapien.

But once I started homeschooling, my parents and siblings became my trusted companions.

Suddenly, I was more interested in taking my family to the movies than my other friends.

It’s as if homeschooling has a secret recipe for making families not just close but best friends forever.

9. Children Think More Like Parents

Homeschooled children often hold their parents in high esteem, sometimes even seeing them as real-life heroes, and this unique bond often leads to a shared way of thinking.

Parents have more opportunities to pass down their values and lifestyle, resulting in a family of kindred minds.

In most cases, this is a wonderful thing, as parents typically aim to instill their best values in their beloved offspring.

While there are exceptions where this dynamic can go awry – for instance, when parents neglect their children or impart bad habits – most studies indicate that homeschool graduates turn out exceptionally well.

This harmony can be a significant advantage to learning and wellbeing. With less friction in families, parents can enjoy their children more when they don’t have to battle opposing ideologies taught in public schools or deal with the fallout from negative peer pressure, such as drug use.

Homeschooling often fosters an environment where family values align, creating a smoother journey for everyone involved.

10. Homeschoolers Mature Faster

Ever noticed how some school graduates can leave you wondering if they ever received the memo on growing up?

Responsibility seems to be a foreign language, and you start pondering how they’ll ever manage to run a functional family.

It’s like decoding a cultural conundrum in real-time.

Now, shift your gaze to the homeschoolers, and you might need to adjust your watch – they’re on a fast track to adulthood.

These youngsters are like the superhero interns of responsibility. From an early age, they’re bestowed with age-appropriate tasks, turning them into efficient, society-improving machines.

They’re not just self-centered; they think about the well-being of those around them.

When they eventually venture into the realms of parenthood, they come equipped with a diverse arsenal of skills – cooking, cleaning, and more.

It’s like they’ve attended a special boot camp for domestic superheroes.

This becomes a massive advantage for homeschoolers, and it’s an absolute delight for their parents to witness.

It’s as if they’re saying, “Why hire a housekeeper when we can be the household heroes?”

Homeschooling is a treasure trove of incredible advantages you might not have even considered. It’s like finding secret compartments in your favorite jacket – once you discover them, they become your source of amazement. If you’re thinking of taking the homeschooling plunge, dive in with confidence by joining my Homeschool Parenting Program. It’s your ticket to unleashing the superpowers that make homeschooling an exhilarating journey for both you and your children. Don’t miss out – enroll today and become the homeschooling hero you were born to be!