Lesson Learned in Public School: Don't be an Individual

Went to elite private schools. It was worse.

This is a excellent example of some of the reasons that I homeschool my kids. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. This was simply awesome.

Chocolate you don't understand that the simple fact that you homeschool your children will make them socially ostracized? Do you think you can homeschool them forever? You can get a proper paying job with a degree from home... Eventually they are going to have to attend a real school where they will be excluded from the already formed cliques and social circles. Not only that but its dubious whether or not the materials covered in your home "classes" will be anywhere near close to what is taught in regulated classes. Most children i have ever met who were homeschooled have been socially awkward/ unable to make friends.

Thats not always the case Cal. At my school I can think of many kids who were home schooled who became some of the most popular people in our school. I think it really depends on how they're raised, them as individuals, and the school they end up going to.

Anyone remember that awesome panel from Matt Groening's Life is Hell? The 1-eared rabbit was sitting in class with all these original thoughts, but when the teacher asked him a question he gave the expected answer instead, then sat down and was thinking something along the lines that schools are meant to teach individuals to be obedient sheep.

Cal,

a) Most homeschooled kids I know (and I know quite a few) have better test scores than those of publicly educated schools. Not to mention the fact that they generally have more self-discipline to do their work once they reach college.
b) There are a few socially awkward homeschoolers I've know, but no more than there were in my high school. Plus, most homeschooled kids I know have more socialization than "normal" kids because they aren't with the same group of kids for 12+ years. They have their other homeschooled friends as well as friends from sports teams and other extra-curricular activities.

This might help you with your common misconceptions:
http://www.secular-homeschooling.com/001/bitter_homeschooler.html

this is hilarious i love it! very creative

If you want tweeked kids send them to public school. If you want a kid that can't think outside the box send them to public school. If you kid attend a mixed english class you should go and attend for a few dasy and see if the learn anything.I have a pulled my kids out as son as i could get to the office. there just sheep and thats they way they treat them

augydoggy, I'm a HS senior who has been in public school since 1st grade. I'm not tweeked or addicted to drugs, sex, or alcohol. I have a near-perfect GPA and have won awards on state and national levels for creative marketing. Maybe you should start believing in your own kids instead of trying to find someone else who will. Education starts at home.

Paideia School is private, fyi.

Also, Stephanie, congratulations. You managed to use yourself as a representative for millions of people who are nothing like you. I'm glad you feel compelled to anonymously appeal to the general public for approval. And congrats for being in high school. You're so cool.

Cal,
I think perhaps you have a skewed perception of homeschooling. My children belong to homeschooling groups locally and benefit from many wonderful teachers other than my husband and I. They have many friends both homeschooled and traditionally schooled and all of them make friends easily and have a close best friend. My children are all at least one grade level above their peers in traditional school and I have a nine year old that is reading on a collage level. Homeschooling is the right choice for our family. I understand that it isn't right for everyone but it suits us.
As for the cliques and social circles? Keep them. We do just fine with our respectful attitudes and healthy self esteem. Not one of my kids clamors for name brand clothes to look like so and so or feels that they are fat or need bigger boobs. They look forward to spending time with each other. They are happy and eager to learn every day. I'm supposed to feel bad that people look down on me for raising well adjusted well educated children just because I did it in a way that falls outside currently accepted societal norm? I think not. Thank you for your concern on the behalf of my children, but it is misplaced.

the public schools in my town lost their accreditation, so it means nothing when they graduate.

I think it is silly how most everyone posting here considers homeschooling a black or white decision. There are millions of circumstances for every individual that can't really be taken into account that would matter on an issue like that. Also, I really loved the speech!