Homeschooling high schoolers can be an scary prospect even for parents who’ve been homeschooling for a long time. Many parents decide to put their children back in the public school system when their children encounter this age. But is this the right thing to do? Let’s look at why some parents make this decision and address some of the issues.

Some parents decide to stop homeschooling during the high school years because they fear for their children’s social evolvement. Although social skills are a concern even in the elementary years of homeschooling, they do become even more of an issue in the high school years. This is when children grow more attached to friends and start to form social groups. But there are many ways to ensure that your child’s social skills evolvement does not suffer even during the important high school years. First, allow and encourage your child to partake in social clubs, sporting events, camps and scouting groups. Participating in such events will help your child share experiences with others, establish leadership skills and develop a sense of belonging.

Some parents worry about the level of science and math taught in high school grades. If a certain topic is not in your area of strength, don’t give up on homeschooling during the high school years altogether; instead get a tutor. If money is a hurdle, consider a barter arrangement, where you swap tutoring services with another homeschooling parent. Although homeschooling becomes more of a challenge once you hit the high school years, it’s no reason to give up. Recall all the reasons why you started homeschooling. I’m sure many of those advantages to homeschooling still apply in the high school years. Remember to continue seeking the support you need to help you face the challenges of homeschooling high schoolers.

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