James:
We homeschool our three children and all of them have never been to a public or private school.
I would like to add to the homeschool article. It is possible to educate younger children for minimal amounts of money, but when they get older there are things to keep in mind. Colleges have entrance requirements. They require high school students to have completed certain classes such as advanced math and science subjects. Two foreign language classes are also required. My oldest is planning to start dual enrollment next school year. She just had to take the SAT at a cost of $50. She may need to retake it depending on her scores – for applying for scholarships. Also there is drivers education which is available now for homeschoolers at a cost of $60-to-$100, if I remember correctly.
Part of the beauty of dual enrollments is gaining both high school and college credits for the same class. We are hoping one of those will be chemistry, saving us a lot of money in lab costs. We did buy a used microscope this past year for her advanced biology course. And there was also the dissection kit at around $40.
We do purchase used books. This last year a friend let me borrow some of her books for one of my kids. In two years when her younger child need them, I will let her borrow some of mine.
College costs are very scary these days. Please pray for us as we have three kids, one of those seriously desires to go to veterinary school. I know God can make a way. He can make a way for you, too, if you desire to homeschool. Thanks, – Sisterpastor
CPT Rawles –
I am pleased to see good advice being given about homeschooling. I wanted to make a point to the community that I often make in person. I am a public school teacher in one of the “best” jurisdictions in the country in terms of test scores and minority success. Yet despite that, we are still what any reasonably educated person would consider a disaster of sloth and ignorance.
I strongly encourage all the readers of SurvivalBlog to find alternatives for their kids besides public schools. As hard working as most of the teachers are, the place is an irretrievable cesspool of low morals, the celebration of ignorance and complacency, and generally soul-sucking. To supplement my income (and my sanity) I “guest lecture” for a number of homeschool networks when I am not at the public school. Without exception, the homeschooled students are more alert, inquisitive, literate, logical, and capable. I wish this wasn’t the case because I put so much effort into my public school kids but the damage has been done by the time they get to me in high school – like a malnourished child who will be stunted for life despite great nutrition as an adult. My child will never set foot in an American public school and I routinely urge parents of my students to do the same (drawing the ire of my administration and co-workers for some reason).
Public education being “free” is not an excuse to put your kids in there. As I tell the more bright public school students when they complain about the pace or their classmates “Public school is free and you get what you pay for.” – Jeff T.
JWR,
Kathryn T.’s entry, Homeschool for Less Than $30 a Year, was quite good. I would only add that, when purchasing used curriculum or books, a “sniff test” is highly advised. Simply open the book and take a sniff; you will easily detect any musty smells or odd odors. I failed to do this one year and ended up buying textbooks owned by a smoker. They reeked every time they were opened, and we didn’t study that subject that particular year until I was able to replace it. No money saved there.
Save yourself (and your lesson plans) the trouble. Sniff before you buy! – Home’s Cool Mom