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[[Image:Homeschool.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A young homeschooled student]]

[[Image:Homeschool.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A young homeschooled student]]

<small>'''''For the homeschooling courses available for free on this website, see [[Conservapedia:Index]]'''''</small>

<small>'''''For the homeschooling courses available for free on this website, see [[Conservapedia:Index]]'''''</small>

<br>'''Homeschooling''' consists of the practice of students receiving education from a parent or guardian, or instructors acting under the direction of a parent or guardian, rather than from teachers in a formal school setting like a [[public school]].  Virtually every area of the United States has local support groups for homeschooling, which often meet in church facilities.  Nearly 7% of college-educated parents homeschool their children.<ref>http://www.sagus.us/blog/blog_details.asp?ID=18&p=7&s=7&s2=7</ref>  In the [[United States]], '''''an estimated one to two million students are homeschooled, or nearly one out of every 30 students'''''.<ref name="USA Today">http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-01-04-homeschooling_N.htm</ref>   

<br>'''Homeschooling''' consists of the practice of students receiving education from a parent or guardian, or instructors acting under the direction of a parent or guardian, rather than from teachers in a formal school setting like a [[public school]].  Virtually every area of the United States has local support groups for homeschooling, which often meet in church facilities.  Nearly 7% of college-educated parents homeschool their children.<ref>http://www.sagus.us/blog/blog_details.asp?ID=18&p=7&s=7&s2=7</ref>  In the [[United States]], '''''an estimated one to two million students are homeschooled, or nearly one out of every 30 students'''''.<ref name="USA Today">https://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-01-04-homeschooling_N.htm</ref>   

Homeschooling grew by almost 75% in the eight years before 2011,<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/09/educating-children-evolution-home-schooling</ref> and it has continued to grow at a strong pace despite attacks from teachers' unions and government bureaucrats.<ref>Berry, Susan (May 21, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/21/homeschooling-thriving-in-face-of-attacks/ Homeschooling Thriving in Face of Attacks]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 21, 2018.</ref> In a recent survey, "the average homeschooled student scored at the 88th percentile" in the core subjects of reading, language and math.<ref>http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/washingtontimes/200908100.asp</ref>  The most successful [[mathematician]] in contests in history, Reid Barton, was [[homeschooled]].<ref>http://www.amstat.org/PUBLICATIONS/amsn/index.cfm?fuseaction=highlights0812001</ref>  The greatest gymnast ever, 2016 Olympic champion Simone Biles, was homeschooled.  One of the greatest college football players—the first to win the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore -- [[Tim Tebow]], was homeschooled until college.<ref>http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/783999/heisman_trophy_winner_tim_tebow_puts.html</ref>  A Wimbledon tennis star, Melanie Oudin, chose homeschooling beginning in 7th grade: "With how much I improved in the first year at home, I knew it was the right choice."<ref>http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/kevin_armstrong/08/13/melanie.oudin/index.html#ixzz0VSMpJSxF (her twin sister remained in public school)</ref>  Homeschooled students make up many of the top college and graduate students in mathematics today.<ref>For example, Princeton University math prodigy Arie Israel "never attended a regular school. His parents home schooled both him and his older sister, Rachel, allowing them to work at their own pace and discover their own interests. His dad, Benjamin, a computer programmer, helped him with math and science, while his mom, Rebekah, taught him English and history." [http://weblog.science.fau.edu/info/images/israel.html]</ref>

Homeschooling grew by almost 75% in the eight years before 2011,<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/09/educating-children-evolution-home-schooling</ref> and it has continued to grow at a strong pace despite attacks from teachers' unions and government bureaucrats.<ref>Berry, Susan (May 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/21/homeschooling-thriving-in-face-of-attacks/ Homeschooling Thriving in Face of Attacks]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 21, 2018.</ref> In a recent survey, "the average homeschooled student scored at the 88th percentile" in the core subjects of reading, language and math.<ref>http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/washingtontimes/200908100.asp</ref>  The most successful [[mathematician]] in contests in history, Reid Barton, was [[homeschooled]].<ref>http://www.amstat.org/PUBLICATIONS/amsn/index.cfm?fuseaction=highlights0812001</ref>  The greatest gymnast ever, 2016 Olympic champion Simone Biles, was homeschooled.  One of the greatest college football players—the first to win the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore -- [[Tim Tebow]], was homeschooled until college.<ref>http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/783999/heisman_trophy_winner_tim_tebow_puts.html</ref>  A Wimbledon tennis star, Melanie Oudin, chose homeschooling beginning in 7th grade: "With how much I improved in the first year at home, I knew it was the right choice."<ref>http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/kevin_armstrong/08/13/melanie.oudin/index.html#ixzz0VSMpJSxF (her twin sister remained in public school)</ref>  Homeschooled students make up many of the top college and graduate students in mathematics today.<ref>For example, Princeton University math prodigy Arie Israel "never attended a regular school. His parents home schooled both him and his older sister, Rachel, allowing them to work at their own pace and discover their own interests. His dad, Benjamin, a computer programmer, helped him with math and science, while his mom, Rebekah, taught him English and history." [http://weblog.science.fau.edu/info/images/israel.html]</ref>

Homeschooling [[parent]]s have many available options to supplement education at home:

Homeschooling [[parent]]s have many available options to supplement education at home:

Families who homeschool their children do so for a number of reasons.  A 2001 study by the [[US Census Bureau]] found that the single largest reason that parents homeschool is that they feel they can give their children a better education at home. This accounted for 50% of the homeschooling families; [[religion|religious]] reasons came in second at 33%.<ref>Home Schooling in the United States: Trends and Characteristics, by Kurt J. Bauman, Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, August 2001, Working Paper Series No. 53 [http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0053.html]</ref>  Other frequently mentioned reasons include dissatisfaction with academic instruction at other schools, the ability to provide religious or moral instruction along with academics, the ability to control what the child is being taught, flexibility in meeting the needs of a child with special needs (such as a physical or mental health problem, a temporary illness or giftedness), flexibility in scheduling family life, and concern about safety, drugs, and peer pressure at other schools.<ref>Homeschooling in the United States: 2003 Statistical Analysis Report, National Center for Education Statistics, NCES 2006-042, Feb 2006 [http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/homeschool/TableDisplay.asp?TablePath=TablesHTML/table_4.asp]</ref>

Families who homeschool their children do so for a number of reasons.  A 2001 study by the [[US Census Bureau]] found that the single largest reason that parents homeschool is that they feel they can give their children a better education at home. This accounted for 50% of the homeschooling families; [[religion|religious]] reasons came in second at 33%.<ref>Home Schooling in the United States: Trends and Characteristics, by Kurt J. Bauman, Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, August 2001, Working Paper Series No. 53 [http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0053.html]</ref>  Other frequently mentioned reasons include dissatisfaction with academic instruction at other schools, the ability to provide religious or moral instruction along with academics, the ability to control what the child is being taught, flexibility in meeting the needs of a child with special needs (such as a physical or mental health problem, a temporary illness or giftedness), flexibility in scheduling family life, and concern about safety, drugs, and peer pressure at other schools.<ref>Homeschooling in the United States: 2003 Statistical Analysis Report, National Center for Education Statistics, NCES 2006-042, Feb 2006 [http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/homeschool/TableDisplay.asp?TablePath=TablesHTML/table_4.asp]</ref>

Admissions departments at major [[college]]s are now familiar and comfortable with homeschooling, according to a 2004 Boston Globe article. The article quotes a [[Liberal Arts college|Williams College]] admission officer as saying: <blockquote>"We read homeschoolers' applications just like any other application. They don't get any special consideration, but they're not discriminated against, either. Their applications are interesting, and they've certainly done independent work their whole lives."</blockquote> It notes that  the acceptance rate of homeschoolers at Williams is 20 percent,<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2004/03/21/schoolhouse_rocked?mode=PF Schoolhouse rocked] "home schooling has gone main stream, especially in Massachusetts. It's estimated that as many as 20,000 children here have abandoned test-crazy public schools and high-priced private schools for the comfort of the living room couch. But most surprising of all is that Harvard, BU, Brown, and other colleges are welcoming homeschoolers like all other students." Source for Williams College admission officer's quote, 20% figure.</ref> virtually identical to its overall acceptance rate.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-11-02-collegerates_x.htm College acceptance rates]: Williams, 19.2%. U. S. News and World Report</ref>

Admissions departments at major [[college]]s are now familiar and comfortable with homeschooling, according to a 2004 Boston Globe article. The article quotes a [[Liberal Arts college|Williams College]] admission officer as saying: <blockquote>"We read homeschoolers' applications just like any other application. They don't get any special consideration, but they're not discriminated against, either. Their applications are interesting, and they've certainly done independent work their whole lives."</blockquote> It notes that  the acceptance rate of homeschoolers at Williams is 20 percent,<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2004/03/21/schoolhouse_rocked?mode=PF Schoolhouse rocked] "home schooling has gone main stream, especially in Massachusetts. It's estimated that as many as 20,000 children here have abandoned test-crazy public schools and high-priced private schools for the comfort of the living room couch. But most surprising of all is that Harvard, BU, Brown, and other colleges are welcoming homeschoolers like all other students." Source for Williams College admission officer's quote, 20% figure.</ref> virtually identical to its overall acceptance rate.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-11-02-collegerates_x.htm College acceptance rates]: Williams, 19.2%. U. S. News and World Report</ref>

In the [[United States]], some states permit homeschooled students to participate in [[extracurricular activities]] at their local public schools.

In the [[United States]], some states permit homeschooled students to participate in [[extracurricular activities]] at their local public schools.

*[[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]] (1906–1945), a [[Christian]] who spoke against [[Hitler]] and was martyred for doing so.

*[[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]] (1906–1945), a [[Christian]] who spoke against [[Hitler]] and was martyred for doing so.

*Willard S. Boyle, the inventor of the CCD that is at "the heart of virtually every camcorder, digital camera and telescope" and is used in "every picture on the Internet, every digital and video camera, every computer scanner, copier machine and high-definition television," and for which he was awarded a shared [[Nobel Prize]] in Physics in 2009.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/science/space/10boyle.html?emc=eta1</ref>

*Willard S. Boyle, the inventor of the CCD that is at "the heart of virtually every camcorder, digital camera and telescope" and is used in "every picture on the Internet, every digital and video camera, every computer scanner, copier machine and high-definition television," and for which he was awarded a shared [[Nobel Prize]] in Physics in 2009.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/science/space/10boyle.html?emc=eta1</ref>

*[[Mary Breckinridge]] (1881–1965), pioneering American midwife and founder of Kentucky's Frontier Nursing Service.  Mary's father was a diplomat, and she was educated in America and abroad by private tutors.<ref>[http://www.frontiernursing.org/History/MaryBreckinridge.shtm Frontier Nursing Service]</ref>

*[[Mary Breckinridge]] (1881–1965), pioneering American midwife and founder of Kentucky's Frontier Nursing Service.  Mary's father was a diplomat, and she was educated in America and abroad by private tutors.<ref>[http://www.frontiernursing.org/History/MaryBreckinridge.shtm Frontier Nursing Service]</ref>

*[[Pierre de Fermat]] (1601?–1665), the greatest mathematician of the 17th century and the founder of the modern theory of numbers, was homeschooled.<ref>E.T. Bell, "Men of Mathematics" 57 (1937)</ref>

*[[Pierre de Fermat]] (1601?–1665), the greatest mathematician of the 17th century and the founder of the modern theory of numbers, was homeschooled.<ref>E.T. Bell, "Men of Mathematics" 57 (1937)</ref>

*[[Benjamin Franklin]] (1706–1790), a leading [[Founding Father]] and prolific inventor and statesman, only attended part-time school from ages 8 to 10.<ref>[http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/148 Benjamin Franklin, ''Autobiography.'']</ref>

*[[Benjamin Franklin]] (1706–1790), a leading [[Founding Father]] and prolific inventor and statesman, only attended part-time school from ages 8 to 10.<ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/148 Benjamin Franklin, ''Autobiography.'']</ref>

*[[Robert Frost]], the leading [[American]] poet of the 20th century and winner of the [[Pulitzer Prize]].  He "disliked school so much he became physically ill; what schoolwork he did was done at home until he passed the entrance exams and entered high school."<ref name="homeschoolutah.org"/>

*[[Robert Frost]], the leading [[American]] poet of the 20th century and winner of the [[Pulitzer Prize]].  He "disliked school so much he became physically ill; what schoolwork he did was done at home until he passed the entrance exams and entered high school."<ref name="homeschoolutah.org"/>

*[[George Bernard Shaw]] (1856–1950), author.  Tutored in the classics by a clerical uncle until he entered school at age 10.  Left school by age 15.<ref>[http://www.bookrags.com/biography/george-bernard-shaw/ Encyclopedia of World Biography on George Bernard Shaw]</ref><ref>[http://www.bookrags.com/biography/george-bernard-shaw-dlb/ Dictionary of Literary Biography on George Bernard Shaw]</ref><ref>[http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/fa/shaw.gb.bio.html George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950 Biographical Sketch]</ref>

*[[George Bernard Shaw]] (1856–1950), author.  Tutored in the classics by a clerical uncle until he entered school at age 10.  Left school by age 15.<ref>[http://www.bookrags.com/biography/george-bernard-shaw/ Encyclopedia of World Biography on George Bernard Shaw]</ref><ref>[http://www.bookrags.com/biography/george-bernard-shaw-dlb/ Dictionary of Literary Biography on George Bernard Shaw]</ref><ref>[http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/fa/shaw.gb.bio.html George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950 Biographical Sketch]</ref>

*[[Mark Twain]] (real name was Samuel Clemens) (1835–1910), American author and satirist who said, "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."  Attended school through the 5th grade, where he "excelled only in spelling" and was frequently truant, then worked as a printer's apprentice for a local newspaper.  His mother said, "He was always a great boy for history, and could never get tired of that kind of reading; but he hadn't any use for schoolhouses and text books."<ref>The Mark Twain House and Museum:  Biography of Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain [http://www.marktwainhouse.org/theman/bio.shtml]</ref><ref>[http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/8/7/6873/6873.txt The Project Gutenberg E-Book of Mark Twain, by Archibald Henderson]</ref>

*[[Mark Twain]] (real name was Samuel Clemens) (1835–1910), American author and satirist who said, "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."  Attended school through the 5th grade, where he "excelled only in spelling" and was frequently truant, then worked as a printer's apprentice for a local newspaper.  His mother said, "He was always a great boy for history, and could never get tired of that kind of reading; but he hadn't any use for schoolhouses and text books."<ref>The Mark Twain House and Museum:  Biography of Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain [http://www.marktwainhouse.org/theman/bio.shtml]</ref><ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/8/7/6873/6873.txt The Project Gutenberg E-Book of Mark Twain, by Archibald Henderson]</ref>

*[[Alexis de Tocqueville]], a Frenchman who came to America in 1831, when he was 25 years old, and wrote a two-volume definitive study of American culture entitled ''Democracy in America''.

*[[Alexis de Tocqueville]], a Frenchman who came to America in 1831, when he was 25 years old, and wrote a two-volume definitive study of American culture entitled ''Democracy in America''.

*[[Andrew Wyeth]] (1917–), American artist, was tutored at home until he was 18.<ref>The Homeschooling of Andrew Wyeth, A Conversation with the Artist, Gifted Children Monthly, May 1986, Vol 7 No. 5.[http://www.nfgcc.org/51.htm]</ref>

*[[Andrew Wyeth]] (1917–), American artist, was tutored at home until he was 18.<ref>The Homeschooling of Andrew Wyeth, A Conversation with the Artist, Gifted Children Monthly, May 1986, Vol 7 No. 5.[http://www.nfgcc.org/51.htm]</ref>

*[[Frank Lloyd Wright]] (1867–1959), considered the finest architect ever, was taught at home by his mother who dreamed that he would become an architect.  She used "Froebel's geometric blocks to entertain and educate her son" as his father led the family among various Baptist churches, where he preached.<ref>http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/a/archs/wright/bio/index.html</ref>  Wright then attended high school but dropped out of college.<ref>http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0942394/bio</ref>

*[[Frank Lloyd Wright]] (1867–1959), considered the finest architect ever, was taught at home by his mother who dreamed that he would become an architect.  She used "Froebel's geometric blocks to entertain and educate her son" as his father led the family among various Baptist churches, where he preached.<ref>http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/a/archs/wright/bio/index.html</ref>  Wright then attended high school but dropped out of college.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0942394/bio</ref>

*[[Brigham Young]], first governor of Utah, the leader of the [[Mormon Church]], and founder of 200 towns and villages.  He was homeschooled and had only "11 days of formal education."<ref name="homeschoolutah.org"/>

*[[Brigham Young]], first governor of Utah, the leader of the [[Mormon Church]], and founder of 200 towns and villages.  He was homeschooled and had only "11 days of formal education."<ref name="homeschoolutah.org"/>