Changes

* taking classes at local museums or nature centers

* taking classes at local museums or nature centers

* joining with other [[family|families]] to share teaching responsibilities in a co-op

* joining with other [[family|families]] to share teaching responsibilities in a co-op

* encouraging the student to self-instruct using library books, traditional textbooks or workbooks, knowledgeable mentor's and/or hands-on experiences

* encouraging the student to self-instruct using library books, traditional textbooks or workbooks, knowledgeable mentors and/or hands-on experience

* hiring a tutor for certain difficult topics, like [[physics]]

* hiring a tutor for certain difficult topics, like [[physics]]

* attending a brick and mortar institution for certain classes and taking other classes at home

* attending a brick-and-mortar institution for certain classes and taking other classes at home

Homeschoolers often include local "after school" enrichment programs like scouts, 4-H, sports, [[music]] lessons, karate or dance classes, public library programs, and summer camps as part of their educational program. Some areas have extracurricular clubs and activities specifically for homeschoolers, some allow homeschoolers to participate in local [[public school]]'s after school activities, and some homeschoolers participate in extracurricular activities independently from their schooling through private organizations. Homeschool graduates vote in higher percentages: in 2003, "76 percent of homeschool graduates surveyed between the ages of 18 to 24 voted within the last five years, compared to only 29 percent of the corresponding U.S. population."<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35226</ref>

Homeschoolers often include local "after school" enrichment programs like scouts, 4-H, sports, [[music]] lessons, karate or dance classes, public library programs, and summer camps as part of their educational program. Some areas have extracurricular clubs and activities specifically for homeschoolers, some allow homeschoolers to participate in local [[public school]]'s after-school activities, and some homeschoolers participate in extracurricular activities independently from their schooling through private organizations. Homeschool graduates vote in higher percentages: in 2003, "76 percent of homeschool graduates surveyed between the ages of 18 to 24 voted within the last five years, compared to only 29 percent of the corresponding U.S. population."<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35226</ref>

==Homeschooling Statistics==

==Homeschooling Statistics==

A 2005 estimate from the [[National Home Education Research Institute]] places the number between 1.9 million and 2.4 million while the National Center for Education Statistics estimates that the number of students being homeschooled increased by 29% from 1999 to 2003.  Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg 1</ref>

A 2005 estimate from the [[National Home Education Research Institute]] places the number between 1.9 million and 2.4 million while the National Center for Education Statistics estimates that the number of students being homeschooled increased by 29% from 1999 to 2003.  Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg 1</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 [https://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 many 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 [https://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>[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>

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>

Reasons for '''homeschooling''' include:<ref>For 57 unique benefits of homeschooling, see [http://capitolhillcoffeehouse.com/more.php?id=5239_0_1_0_M].</ref>

Reasons for '''homeschooling''' include:<ref>For 57 unique benefits of homeschooling, see [http://capitolhillcoffeehouse.com/more.php?id=5239_0_1_0_M].</ref>

*Seeking a higher academic level, and avoiding violence, intimidation, invasions of privacy (e.g., searches) and other hostile aspects of the [[public school culture]].<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec13 ''Revealing Statistics: Education and Media'']</ref><ref>As an example of the violent culture at [[public school]], "parents said there have been violent incidents, mostly fistfights, at the high school every day this week. 'My daughter is terrified,' said Elizabeth Sabalu, whose daughter is a junior. 'She doesn't want to come to school any more.'" [http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/877459,CST-NWS-skul04.article]</ref><ref>"Nationally, about 160,000 [[student]]s miss [[Public schools|school]] daily because they [[fear]] being [[Bully|bullied]]," and in [[Hawaii]] students viciously fight each other and post videos of it on [[YouTube|Youtube.com]]. One victim is now "being [[homeschooled]] at state expense."[http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/18/news/story01.html]</ref>

*Seeking a higher academic level, and avoiding violence, intimidation, invasions of privacy (e.g., searches), and other hostile aspects of the [[public school culture]].<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec13 ''Revealing Statistics: Education and Media'']</ref><ref>As an example of the violent culture at [[public school]], "parents said there have been violent incidents, mostly fistfights, at the high school every day this week. 'My daughter is terrified,' said Elizabeth Sabalu, whose daughter is a junior. 'She doesn't want to come to school any more.'" [http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/877459,CST-NWS-skul04.article]</ref><ref>"Nationally, about 160,000 [[student]]s miss [[Public schools|school]] daily because they [[fear]] being [[Bully|bullied]]," and in [[Hawaii]] students viciously fight each other and post videos of it on [[YouTube|Youtube.com]]. One victim is now "being [[homeschooled]] at state expense."[http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/18/news/story01.html]</ref>

*Freedom from a culture of depression and [[Liberal bias in academia|liberal]] and/or [[atheistic]] bias found in public and many private schools.<ref>http://www.bepress.com/forum/vol3/iss1/art2</ref><ref>http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/17963/liberal_bias_in_our_schools.html</ref><ref>http://montages.blogspot.com/2005/04/conservatives-underrepresented-in.html</ref> See: [[Religiosity and the growing use of vouchers and homeschooling|Religiousity and homeschooling]].  Interestingly, homeschooling has actually increased among irreligious parents, often for some of the same concerns as religious ones (flexibility in their children's education being a common one, along with the mandatory vaccine issue).

*Freedom from a culture of depression and [[Liberal bias in academia|liberal]] and/or [[atheistic]] bias found in public and many private schools.<ref>http://www.bepress.com/forum/vol3/iss1/art2</ref><ref>http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/17963/liberal_bias_in_our_schools.html</ref><ref>http://montages.blogspot.com/2005/04/conservatives-underrepresented-in.html</ref> See: [[Religiosity and the growing use of vouchers and homeschooling|Religiousity and homeschooling]].  Interestingly, homeschooling has actually increased among irreligious parents, often for some of the same concerns as religious ones (flexibility in their children's education being a common one, along with the mandatory vaccine issue).

* A more flexible daily schedule, ability to take vacations and travel during the school year, less commuting, and a healthier diet.<ref>Obesity in public school students from junk food appears worse than in [[homeschooled]] students.</ref>

* A more flexible daily schedule, ability to take vacations and travel during the school year, less commuting, and a healthier diet.<ref>Obesity in public school students from junk food appears worse than in [[homeschooled]] students.</ref>

* Creating an environment in which students are less likely to pick up lifelong unhealthy habits from peers, like [[drug addiction|drug abuse]], [[tobacco]] addiction, [[sex addiction]], [[pornography]], or [[alcohol addiction|alcohol]].

* Creating an environment in which students are less likely to pick up lifelong unhealthy habits from peers, like [[drug addiction|drug abuse]], [[tobacco]] addiction, [[sex addiction]], [[pornography]], or [[alcohol addiction|alcohol]].

* Having the time and availability to learn a trade or profession as an apprentice, as has been done throughout history.

* Having the time and availability to learn a trade or profession as an apprentice, as has been done throughout history.

* Homeschooling is often an essential approach to achieve the very best in many fields, from [[mathematics]] to [[music]] to certain sports.<ref>For example, [[Jordin Sparks]] (b. 1989) became youngest winner of the music talent competition "[[American Idol]]" after she left public school for homeschooling to concentrate on her singing.[http://www.pr-inside.com/singer-jordin-sparks-12-400-video-newest-r592857.htm]</ref>

* Homeschooling is often an essential approach to achieving the very best in many fields, from [[mathematics]] to [[music]] to certain sports.<ref>For example, [[Jordin Sparks]] (b. 1989) became the youngest winner of the music talent competition "[[American Idol]]" after she left public school for homeschooling to concentrate on her singing.[http://www.pr-inside.com/singer-jordin-sparks-12-400-video-newest-r592857.htm]</ref>

* Be part of a community that has a much higher percentage of adopted children than formal school; the homeschooling community has a refreshing culture of life.

* Be part of a community that has a much higher percentage of adopted children than formal schooling; the homeschooling community has a refreshing culture of life.

* Avoiding being subjected to [[homosexual agenda|homosexual]] and [[transgender]] indoctrination.

* Avoiding being subjected to [[homosexual agenda|homosexual]] and [[transgender]] indoctrination.

* Avoiding political indoctrination.

* Avoiding political indoctrination.

* Homeschoolers are seen to develop independent thinking and self-reliance that help insulate them from techniques of mind control that afflict public school students and teachers<ref>This is most recently illustrated by techniques of mind control employed by the Obama campaign.[http://www.aapsonline.org/newsoftheday/0089]</ref>

* Homeschoolers are seen to develop independent thinking and self-reliance that help insulate them from techniques of mind control that afflict public school students and teachers<ref>This is most recently illustrated by techniques of mind control employed by the Obama campaign.[http://www.aapsonline.org/newsoftheday/0089]</ref>

* Assuring the [[Parental rights|rights of parents]] to control the education, upbringing and discipline of their children.

* Assuring the [[Parental rights|rights of parents]] to control the education, upbringing, and discipline of their children.

* Giving children a safer learning environment free from the risks of bullying and mass school shootings.<ref>Richardson, Valerie (May 30, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/30/homeschooling-surges-parents-seek-escape-shootings/ Educational decline: Homeschooling surges as parents seek safer option for children]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.</ref><ref>Newman, Alex (May 30, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/education/item/29168-mass-shootings-spark-growing-interest-in-homeschooling Mass Shootings Spark Growing Interest in Homeschooling]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.</ref>

* Giving children a safer learning environment free from the risks of bullying and mass school shootings.<ref>Richardson, Valerie (May 30, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/30/homeschooling-surges-parents-seek-escape-shootings/ Educational decline: Homeschooling surges as parents seek safer option for children]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.</ref><ref>Newman, Alex (May 30, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/education/item/29168-mass-shootings-spark-growing-interest-in-homeschooling Mass Shootings Spark Growing Interest in Homeschooling]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.</ref>

Stay-at-home moms, the most common teachers for homeschooling, reported having happier lives than their working counterparts.<ref>http://www.momlogic.com/2008/07/sahm_wahm_happiness_poll.php?icid=100214839x1204880052x1200231518#start</ref>

We know that homeschooling may have its benefits but it is not for everyone. Reasons against '''homeschooling''' include:<ref>https://www.trustreading.com/is-homeschooling-expensive/</ref><ref>https://www.thoughtco.com/reasons-to-not-homeschool-1832551</ref><ref>https://thebestschools.org/features/30-best-christian-boarding-schools-america/</ref>

 

It should also be noted that stay at home moms, the most common teachers for homeschooling, reported having happier lives than their working counterparts.<ref>http://www.momlogic.com/2008/07/sahm_wahm_happiness_poll.php?icid=100214839x1204880052x1200231518#start</ref>

==Homeschooling worldwide==

==Homeschooling worldwide==

Truancy laws brought pioneering homeschoolers into conflict with local officials. The first [[New York Times]] story on "home schooling" appeared in 1974, and concerned two parents charged with "educational neglect" by the Westchester County Department of Social Services. Tests showed that they performed at or about grade level "except for one who is a little slow in reading," and the parents received strong support from a state senator.<ref>"Parents Accused in Home Schooling," ''The New York Times,'' July 28, 1974, p. 45</ref> By the mid-1980s the ''Times'' was running articles with titles like "Schooling in the Home: A Growing Alternative" and "There Are Benefits In Homeschooling," and states were legalizing homeschooling.<ref>Belluck, Pam (1998), "Life After Home Schooling," ''The New York Times,'' November 1, 1998, p. ED26: "Some 15 years after states began legalizing home schooling in earnest, these early graduates are starting to make their way in the world."</ref> A 1997 article said "It's not only [[Christian fundamentalists]] any more" and a 2003 article noted "Unhappy in Class, More Are Learning at Home."

Truancy laws brought pioneering homeschoolers into conflict with local officials. The first [[New York Times]] story on "home schooling" appeared in 1974, and concerned two parents charged with "educational neglect" by the Westchester County Department of Social Services. Tests showed that they performed at or about grade level "except for one who is a little slow in reading," and the parents received strong support from a state senator.<ref>"Parents Accused in Home Schooling," ''The New York Times,'' July 28, 1974, p. 45</ref> By the mid-1980s the ''Times'' was running articles with titles like "Schooling in the Home: A Growing Alternative" and "There Are Benefits In Homeschooling," and states were legalizing homeschooling.<ref>Belluck, Pam (1998), "Life After Home Schooling," ''The New York Times,'' November 1, 1998, p. ED26: "Some 15 years after states began legalizing home schooling in earnest, these early graduates are starting to make their way in the world."</ref> A 1997 article said "It's not only [[Christian fundamentalists]] any more" and a 2003 article noted "Unhappy in Class, More Are Learning at Home."

[[New York]] is the only state which currently requires all home school students to take the [[GED]] equivalency exam in order to receive a high school diploma.  However, in most cases, they are not required to take the otherwise-mandatory exam prep course first.

[[New York]] is the only state that requires all home school students to take the [[GED]] equivalency exam in order to receive a high school diploma.  However, in most cases, they are not required to take the otherwise-mandatory exam prep course first.

== Prominent people who were homeschooled ==

== Prominent people who were homeschooled ==

*[[Andrew Carnegie]] (1835–1919), the brilliant American businessman and philanthropist of the late 1800s, his father was a poor weaver and Andrew dropped out of elementary school<ref>http://www.education-reform.net/dropouts.htm</ref> and had only five years of formal schooling.<ref>http://www.carnegieinstitution.org/carnegiemedal/background.html</ref>

*[[Andrew Carnegie]] (1835–1919), the brilliant American businessman and philanthropist of the late 1800s, his father was a poor weaver and Andrew dropped out of elementary school<ref>http://www.education-reform.net/dropouts.htm</ref> and had only five years of formal schooling.<ref>http://www.carnegieinstitution.org/carnegiemedal/background.html</ref>

*[[George Washington Carver]] (1864–1943) Botanical and agricultural researcher and educator.  Born a slave, Carver "learned to read, write and spell at home because there were no schools for African Americans in" his area.<ref>http://lib.iastate.edu:9060/gwc/bio.html</ref>  He did not attend school until age 12, when he went to a one-room schoolhouse in Missouri; he later graduated from Minneapolis High School in Kansas.  Became the first black student at Simpson College in Iowa, transferred to Iowa Agricultural College in 1891.  Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1894 and a Master of Science degree in bacterial botany and agriculture in 1897.<ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761574196/Carver_George_Washington.html MSN Encarta Encyclopedia - George Washington Carver article]</ref><ref>[http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa041897.htm George Washington Carver, By Mary Bellis]</ref>

*[[George Washington Carver]] (1864–1943) Botanical and agricultural researcher and educator.  Born a slave, Carver "learned to read, write and spell at home because there were no schools for African Americans in" his area.<ref>http://lib.iastate.edu:9060/gwc/bio.html</ref>  He did not attend school until age 12, when he went to a one-room schoolhouse in Missouri; he later graduated from Minneapolis High School in Kansas.  Became the first black student at Simpson College in Iowa, and transferred to Iowa Agricultural College in 1891.  Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1894 and a Master of Science degree in bacterial botany and agriculture in 1897.<ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761574196/Carver_George_Washington.html MSN Encarta Encyclopedia - George Washington Carver article]</ref><ref>[http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa041897.htm George Washington Carver, By Mary Bellis]</ref>

*[[Augustin-Louis Cauchy]] (1789–1857), one of the greatest mathematicians of all time, was taught by his father during an 11-year retreat to the country to escape the [[French Revolution]].  His father "wrote his own textbooks, several of them in the fluent verse of which he was master.  Verse, he believed, made grammar, history and, above all, morals less repulsive to the juvenile mind."<ref>E.T. Bell, "Men of Mathematics," 273 (1937).</ref><ref>http://james.fabpedigree.com/mathmen.htm#Cauchy</ref>

*[[Augustin-Louis Cauchy]] (1789–1857), one of the greatest mathematicians of all time, was taught by his father during an 11-year retreat to the country to escape the [[French Revolution]].  His father "wrote his own textbooks, several of them in the fluent verse of which he was master.  Verse, he believed, made grammar, history and, above all, morals less repulsive to the juvenile mind."<ref>E.T. Bell, "Men of Mathematics," 273 (1937).</ref><ref>http://james.fabpedigree.com/mathmen.htm#Cauchy</ref>

*[[Joan of Arc]] (1412–1431), one of the greatest military leaders ever. Taught domestic skills and religion by her mother.<ref>"As a child she was taught domestic skills as well as her religion by her mother. ... It was my mother alone who taught me the 'Our Father' and 'Hail Mary' and the 'Creed;' and from none other was I taught my faith."[http://www.stjoan-center.com/#bio A Short Biography of Saint Joan of Arc][http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08409c.htm New Advent - Catholic Encyclopedia - St. Joan of Arc][http://joan-of-arc.org/joanofarc_biography.html Biography of Joan of Arc]</ref>

*[[Joan of Arc]] (1412–1431), one of the greatest military leaders ever. Taught domestic skills and religion by her mother.<ref>"As a child she was taught domestic skills as well as her religion by her mother. ... It was my mother alone who taught me the 'Our Father' and 'Hail Mary' and the 'Creed;' and from none other was I taught my faith."[http://www.stjoan-center.com/#bio A Short Biography of Saint Joan of Arc][http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08409c.htm New Advent - Catholic Encyclopedia - St. Joan of Arc][http://joan-of-arc.org/joanofarc_biography.html Biography of Joan of Arc]</ref>

*[[John the Apostle]] (c. A.D. 20–100), the author of the [[Gospel of John]], considered by many to be the greatest written work ever.  He also wrote several other books in the [[New Testament]].  His parents placed him, most likely as a child, under the homeschool-like teaching of [[Jesus]] rather than a more traditional school setting.<ref>In an approach common among homeschoolers, John's parents placed ''both'' their sons under the homeschool-like teaching of Jesus.</ref>  John became the first to develop [[Christian]] [[faith]] and his work has since spread Christianity to billions.<ref>For growing evidence that John was a child, see [[Mystery:Was John a Child?]].</ref>

*[[John the Apostle]] (c. A.D. 20–100), the author of the [[Gospel of John]], considered by many to be the greatest written work ever.  He also wrote several other books in the [[New Testament]].  His parents placed him, most likely as a child, under the homeschool-like teaching of [[Jesus]] rather than in a more traditional school setting.<ref>In an approach common among homeschoolers, John's parents placed ''both'' their sons under the homeschool-like teaching of Jesus.</ref>  John became the first to develop [[Christian]] [[faith]] and his work has since spread Christianity to billions.<ref>For growing evidence that John was a child, see [[Mystery:Was John a Child?]].</ref>

*[[C.S. Lewis]] (1898–1963), the author of ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' and other famous works, was taught at home  by his mother and a governess until age 10, and later sent to be taught by a tutor to prepare him for [[Oxford]].<ref>'''Lewis, C. S.''', ''Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life'', London: Harvest Books (1955) ISBN 0-1568-7011-8</ref>

*[[C.S. Lewis]] (1898–1963), the author of ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' and other famous works, was taught at home  by his mother and a governess until age 10, and later sent to be taught by a tutor to prepare him for [[Oxford]].<ref>'''Lewis, C. S.''', ''Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life'', London: Harvest Books (1955) ISBN 0-1568-7011-8</ref>

*[[Yehudi Menuhin]] (1916–1999), noted violinist and conductor, never attended school, and was taught mathematics, History and Hebrew by his father, and French, German, Italian and Spanish by his mother.<ref>Slater, Elinor and Slater, Robert ''Great Jewish Men'' (Jonathon David Publishers; 1996) ISBN 0-8246-0381-8</ref>  

*[[Yehudi Menuhin]] (1916–1999), noted violinist and conductor, never attended school, and was taught mathematics, History and Hebrew by his father, and French, German, Italian and Spanish by his mother.<ref>Slater, Elinor and Slater, Robert ''Great Jewish Men'' (Jonathon David Publishers; 1996) ISBN 0-8246-0381-8</ref>  

*[[John Stuart Mill]] (1806–1873), influential 19th century political and economic philosopher, was home-schooled by his father, James Mill.  He learned Greek at age 3, Latin at age 8, studied economics, history, science, etc. before age 10.

*[[John Stuart Mill]] (1806–1873), an influential 19th-century political and economic philosopher, was home-schooled by his father, James Mill.  He learned Greek at age 3, Latin at age 8, and studied economics, history, science, etc., before age 10.

*[[James Monroe]] (1758–1831), highly successful U.S. president, homeschooled until age 11.<ref>http://www.presidentialavenue.com/jam.cfm</ref>

*[[James Monroe]] (1758–1831), a highly successful U.S. president, homeschooled until age 11.<ref>http://www.presidentialavenue.com/jam.cfm</ref>

*[[Gouverneur Morris]] (1752–1816), primary drafter of the [[U.S. Constitution]],  homeschooled until he attended college at [[Columbia University]], from which he graduated at age 16.

*[[Gouverneur Morris]] (1752–1816), primary drafter of the [[U.S. Constitution]],  homeschooled until he attended college at [[Columbia University]], from which he graduated at age 16.

* [[Blaise Pascal]] (1623–1662), one of the greatest mathematicians and philosophers of all time, was homeschooled by his father.<ref>E.T. Bell, "Men of Mathematics," 74-76 (1937).</ref>

* [[Blaise Pascal]] (1623–1662), one of the greatest mathematicians and philosophers of all time, was homeschooled by his father.<ref>E.T. Bell, "Men of Mathematics," 74-76 (1937).</ref>

* [[George Patton]] (1885–1945), one of America's greatest generals.  He was taught at home until age 11 based on his "father's theory of education" that "youthful mind should be led along a path that parallels the development of the mind of the race" by being read to by elders.<ref>[http://www.pattonhq.com/unknown/chap01.html The Patton Society ("The Early Years")]</ref><ref>;http://www.freeinfosociety.com/site.php?postnum=517</ref>

* [[George Patton]] (1885–1945), one of America's greatest generals.  He was taught at home until age 11 based on his "father's theory of education" that the "youthful mind should be led along a path that parallels the development of the mind of the race" by being read to by elders.<ref>[http://www.pattonhq.com/unknown/chap01.html The Patton Society ("The Early Years")]</ref><ref>;http://www.freeinfosociety.com/site.php?postnum=517</ref>

* [[Henri Poincaré]] (1854–1912), one of the greatest mathematicians ever and an original developer of the [[Theory of Relativity]].  Poincaré, who had diphtheria as a child, received special instruction from his gifted mother and excelled in written composition while still in elementary school.  He entered the Lycée in Nancy (now renamed the Lycée Henri Poincaré in his honor), in 1862 and spent eleven years there.  He entered the École Polytechnique in 1873, graduating in 1875. After graduating from the École Polytechnique, Poincaré continued his studies at the École des Mines.<ref>[http://www-gap.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Biographies/Poincare.html Jules Henri Poincaré]</ref>

* [[Henri Poincaré]] (1854–1912), one of the greatest mathematicians ever and an original developer of the [[Theory of Relativity]].  Poincaré, who had diphtheria as a child, received special instruction from his gifted mother and excelled in written composition while still in elementary school.  He entered the Lycée in Nancy (now renamed the Lycée Henri Poincaré in his honor), in 1862 and spent eleven years there.  He entered the École Polytechnique in 1873, graduating in 1875. After graduating from the École Polytechnique, Poincaré continued his studies at the École des Mines.<ref>[http://www-gap.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Biographies/Poincare.html Jules Henri Poincaré]</ref>

Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, ''Pollyanna Grows Up'' [http://www3.isrl.illinois.edu/~unsworth/courses/bestsellers/search.cgi?title=Pollyanna+Grows+Up]</ref>

Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, ''Pollyanna Grows Up'' [http://www3.isrl.illinois.edu/~unsworth/courses/bestsellers/search.cgi?title=Pollyanna+Grows+Up]</ref>

*[[Joseph Priestley]] (1733–1804), the father of modern chemistry and the discoverer of oxygen, dropped out of school as a teenager and privately learned geometry, algebra and numerous languages.<ref>Robert E. Schofield, ''The Enlightenment of Joseph Priestley.''</ref>

*[[Joseph Priestley]] (1733–1804), the father of modern chemistry and the discoverer of oxygen, dropped out of school as a teenager and privately learned geometry, algebra, and numerous languages.<ref>Robert E. Schofield, ''The Enlightenment of Joseph Priestley.''</ref>

*[[Bernhard Riemann]] (1826–1866), a German recognized as the greatest modern mathematician.  He was taught at home by his father, a Lutheran minister, until he was ten.  After that he was tutored by a teacher from a local school until he entered the Lyceum in Hannover at 14.<ref>School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, Scotland -- Georg Friedrich Bernhard Riemann, by: J J O'Connor and E F Robertson [http://www-groups.dcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/~history/Biographies/Riemann.html]</ref><ref>http://www.andrews.edu/~calkins/math/biograph/199899/bioriema.htm</ref>

*[[Bernhard Riemann]] (1826–1866), a German recognized as the greatest modern mathematician.  He was taught at home by his father, a Lutheran minister, until he was ten.  After that he was tutored by a teacher from a local school until he entered the Lyceum in Hannover at 14.<ref>School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, Scotland -- Georg Friedrich Bernhard Riemann, by: J J O'Connor and E F Robertson [http://www-groups.dcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/~history/Biographies/Riemann.html]</ref><ref>http://www.andrews.edu/~calkins/math/biograph/199899/bioriema.htm</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>

*[[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]]''.

*[[Leonardo da Vinci]] (1452–1519), Italian artist, inventor, and all-around "Renaissance man".  Leonardo went to school in Vinci, where he learned to write, to read and to calculate, and was taught geometry and Latin. At 14, Leonardo moved to Florence where he began an apprenticeship in the workshop of Verrocchio.<ref>[http://www.kausal.com/leonardo/childhood.html Leonardo da Vinci]</ref>

*[[Leonardo da Vinci]] (1452–1519), Italian artist, inventor, and all-around "Renaissance man".  Leonardo went to school in Vinci, where he learned to write, to read, and to calculate, and was taught geometry and Latin. At 14, Leonardo moved to Florence where he began an apprenticeship in the workshop of Verrocchio.<ref>[http://www.kausal.com/leonardo/childhood.html Leonardo da Vinci]</ref>

*[[Charles Wesley]], the author of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" and the founding Secretary of the colony of [[Georgia]] in the [[New World]].

*[[Charles Wesley]], the author of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" and the founding Secretary of the colony of [[Georgia]] in the [[New World]].

*[[Laura Ingalls Wilder]], the author of the "Little House on the Prairie" series of books.<ref name="homeschoolutah.org"/>

*[[Laura Ingalls Wilder]], the author of the "Little House on the Prairie" series of books.<ref name="homeschoolutah.org"/>

*[[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–), an [[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>https://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"/>

In addition, a number of prominent people have chosen to homeschool their children.  David Guterson, author of the novel ''Snow Falling on Cedars'' (1994), which won the 1995 PEN/Faulkner Award, also wrote ''Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense'' (1992), an account of his family's homeschooling journey.<ref>[http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/snow/guterson.html http://www.randomhouse.com:  David Guterson]</ref>  Actor and recording artist Will Smith and his wife actress Jada Pinkett Smith homeschool their children.<ref>[http://www.rd.com/content/will-smith-interview/1/ Reader's Digest:  Will Power:  Will Smith is One Driven Guy]</ref>  Michele Bachmann homeschooled her own children, but Minnesota authorities prohibited the homeschooling of foster children (Michele Bachmann also had 23 foster children).<ref>http://www.radioiowa.com/2011/03/23/three-prospective-gop-candidates-make-pitch-to-home-schoolers-audio/</ref>  Roseanne Barr stated in an interview that she has started to homeschool her 11-year-old son.<ref>[http://in.news.yahoo.com/070322/137/6dlba.html Reuters Interview - Roseanne Barr says age gives her a louder voice]</ref>  Kristin Maguire, head of the [[South Carolina]] board of education, which governs all its [[public schools]], homeschools all four of her children.<ref>http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/01/09/17stjour.h27.html</ref>  Elizabeth Edwards, the late wife of the [[Democratic]] vice-presidential nominee (2004) and presidential candidate (2008) [[John Edwards]], homeschooled both of their youngest children.<ref>http://momocrats.typepad.com/momocrats/2007/11/elizabeth-edwar.html</ref>  The wife of [[Glenn Beck]] homeschools their children.  [[Ayn Rand]] praised homeschooling in her popular work, ''Atlas Shrugged'': "I came here, not merely for the sake of my husband’s profession, but for the sake of my own.  I came here in order to bring up my sons as human beings.  I would not surrender them to the educational systems devised to stunt a child’s brain, to convince him that reason is impotent, that existence is an irrational chaos with which he’s unable to deal, and thus reduce him to a state of chronic terror."<ref>Ayn Rand, ''Atlas Shrugged'', p. 785 (Plume Ed. 2005).</ref>

In addition, a number of prominent people have chosen to homeschool their children.  David Guterson, the author of the novel ''Snow Falling on Cedars'' (1994), which won the 1995 PEN/Faulkner Award, also wrote ''Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense'' (1992), an account of his family's homeschooling journey.<ref>[http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/snow/guterson.html http://www.randomhouse.com:  David Guterson]</ref>  Actor and recording artist Will Smith and his wife actress Jada Pinkett Smith homeschool their children.<ref>[http://www.rd.com/content/will-smith-interview/1/ Reader's Digest:  Will Power:  Will Smith is One Driven Guy]</ref>  Michele Bachmann homeschooled her own children, but Minnesota authorities prohibited the homeschooling of foster children (Michele Bachmann also had 23 foster children).<ref>http://www.radioiowa.com/2011/03/23/three-prospective-gop-candidates-make-pitch-to-home-schoolers-audio/</ref>  Roseanne Barr stated in an interview that she has started to homeschool her 11-year-old son.<ref>[http://in.news.yahoo.com/070322/137/6dlba.html Reuters Interview - Roseanne Barr says age gives her a louder voice]</ref>  Kristin Maguire, head of the [[South Carolina]] board of education, which governs all its [[public schools]], homeschools all four of her children.<ref>http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/01/09/17stjour.h27.html</ref>  Elizabeth Edwards, the late wife of the [[Democratic]] vice-presidential nominee (2004) and presidential candidate (2008) [[John Edwards]], homeschooled both of their youngest children.<ref>http://momocrats.typepad.com/momocrats/2007/11/elizabeth-edwar.html</ref>  The wife of [[Glenn Beck]] homeschools their children.  [[Ayn Rand]] praised homeschooling in her popular work, ''Atlas Shrugged'': "I came here, not merely for the sake of my husband’s profession, but for the sake of my own.  I came here in order to bring up my sons as human beings.  I would not surrender them to the educational systems devised to stunt a child’s brain, to convince him that reason is impotent, that existence is an irrational chaos with which he’s unable to deal, and thus reduce him to a state of chronic terror."<ref>Ayn Rand, ''Atlas Shrugged'', p. 785 (Plume Ed. 2005).</ref>

Others were taught to read at home prior to any school.  For example, [[Ronald Reagan]] was taught to read by his mother before attending school;<ref>http://americanhistory.about.com/od/ronaldreagan/p/preagan.htm</ref> the only African American man to win the Wimbledon tennis championship (in a stunning upset that relied on a brilliant strategy), Arthur Ashe, was nicknamed the "genius" and had been taught to read by his mother at age 5.

Others were taught to read at home prior to any school.  For example, [[Ronald Reagan]] was taught to read by his mother before attending school;<ref>http://americanhistory.about.com/od/ronaldreagan/p/preagan.htm</ref> the only African American man to win the Wimbledon tennis championship (in a stunning upset that relied on a brilliant strategy), Arthur Ashe, was nicknamed the "genius" and had been taught to read by his mother at age 5.<ref>''See'' [[Best of the public]].</ref>

==See also==

==See also==