The National Home Education Research Institute estimates 2.3 million K-12 children are currently home educated in the United States, a whopping 75% increase since 1999. While that number only accounts for 4% of all K-12 students, experts are predicting an exponential increase in homeschooling in the next 10 years. Why is home-based education becoming so popular?
First, traditional schools (private or public) simply cannot compete with the academic efficiency and targeted learning opportunities homeschooling provides. Even large homeschooling families have a much lower student-to-teacher ratio than any traditional classroom allowing for more time one-on-one. While parents considering homeschooling may question their ability to teach, current statistics should put their minds at ease. Year after year, homeschoolers score higher on standardized tests than their traditionally schooled counterparts. Even academically elite universities like Stanford are recognizing the benefits of home education. Jonathan Reider is a national expert on college-bound homeschoolers who spent 15 years at Stanford as senior associate director of undergraduate admissions. "The distinguishing factor is intellectual vitality," says Reider. "These kids have it, and everything they do is responding to it." While not every student is bound for the Ivy League, it is clear that the average parent is absolutely capable of educating their own children.
Secondly, and many would say more importantly, parents want the time to pass on their own family values and faith. While homeschooling certainly doesn’t guarantee your children will develop a vibrant and lasting faith, it definitely provides many more opportunities for discipleship and service than a traditional academic schedule. Grounding our children in their faith is not a new concern. The land of Canaan probably looked to the Israelites like high schools and colleges look to parents today, like a land filled with every opportunity to go wrong. The Lord’s solution for parents then is the same today – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” The bottom line is that developing a solid faith requires time. Statistics vary, but national research suggests that only 10-30% of professing Christian teens continue in their beliefs through their college years. In stark contrast, in a recent study of nearly 10,000 18-to 38-year-olds who grew up in the church, 87% of those who were home educated maintained a strong Christian faith as adults.
Many parents are convinced of the benefits of homeschooling but simply don’t know where to start. Heart Christian Academy is the ideal launch pad for those new to home education! Our signature program for Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade, two days on campus in a grade-level classroom and three days at home, provides the academic structure and Christ-centered community of a private school with the flexibility and discipleship opportunities of homeschooling...truly the best of both worlds!
To find out more, visit our website at HeartChristianAcademy.org or give us a call at (949) 412-4060.
First, traditional schools (private or public) simply cannot compete with the academic efficiency and targeted learning opportunities homeschooling provides. Even large homeschooling families have a much lower student-to-teacher ratio than any traditional classroom allowing for more time one-on-one. While parents considering homeschooling may question their ability to teach, current statistics should put their minds at ease. Year after year, homeschoolers score higher on standardized tests than their traditionally schooled counterparts. Even academically elite universities like Stanford are recognizing the benefits of home education. Jonathan Reider is a national expert on college-bound homeschoolers who spent 15 years at Stanford as senior associate director of undergraduate admissions. "The distinguishing factor is intellectual vitality," says Reider. "These kids have it, and everything they do is responding to it." While not every student is bound for the Ivy League, it is clear that the average parent is absolutely capable of educating their own children.
Secondly, and many would say more importantly, parents want the time to pass on their own family values and faith. While homeschooling certainly doesn’t guarantee your children will develop a vibrant and lasting faith, it definitely provides many more opportunities for discipleship and service than a traditional academic schedule. Grounding our children in their faith is not a new concern. The land of Canaan probably looked to the Israelites like high schools and colleges look to parents today, like a land filled with every opportunity to go wrong. The Lord’s solution for parents then is the same today – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” The bottom line is that developing a solid faith requires time. Statistics vary, but national research suggests that only 10-30% of professing Christian teens continue in their beliefs through their college years. In stark contrast, in a recent study of nearly 10,000 18-to 38-year-olds who grew up in the church, 87% of those who were home educated maintained a strong Christian faith as adults.
Many parents are convinced of the benefits of homeschooling but simply don’t know where to start. Heart Christian Academy is the ideal launch pad for those new to home education! Our signature program for Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade, two days on campus in a grade-level classroom and three days at home, provides the academic structure and Christ-centered community of a private school with the flexibility and discipleship opportunities of homeschooling...truly the best of both worlds!
To find out more, visit our website at HeartChristianAcademy.org or give us a call at (949) 412-4060.
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