Academic concerns rank high on the list of reasons to homeschool. Even if academics are not the primary reason for choosing to homeschool, it is still a concern for most. Many parents feel unqualified to teach their own children because they do not have a degree in education, they do not feel they did well in school themselves, or they worry that they have forgotten most of what they would need to teach. One myth I first heard in a college English course and have heard repeated frequently when the topic of homeschooling comes up is, Parents make the worst teachers. Is there justification to these concerns?  It is difficult to compare homeschooled students to public schooled students in this regard, because they do not receive the same kinds of instruction and often do not take the same tests. College entrance, however, has long been an expected next step after high school, and many at the beginning of their homeschool journey worry about the possibility of their children’s acceptance into college.

This next step, according to Dr. Ray’s research, is taken by approximately 74% of homeschooled adults ages 18-24 as compared to only 46% of the general US population.  More homeschool graduates had obtained a degree of some sort during their time in college, and nearly half of the respondents to the survey were still in college. What was their college experience like? Overall, it appears homeschooling prepares students well for the rigors and self-discipline of college work.

Caorlyn Morrison, an 11 year veteran of homeschooling who has graduated both her children after homeschooling them since fifth grade, shares her personal reflections after an orientation day at the university her son was enrolling in.

It seems that the stereotypes we have all heard attributed to homeschooling are true--in some respects The stereotypes addressed were all things that have been actual problems at the university: the ultra-shy student who has no clue how to talk to people or make friends, the student who cannot get himself up in the morning and off to class on time, the student who is confused by the class material and cannot or will not ask questions of the professor, the student who has never taken notes in class, never studied for a test, never written a paper, never experienced   real   school. However, these stereotypes were not pointed at homeschooled students but at the public school students!

Some of the most common fears shared by the beginning homeschooler regarding how homeschooling will prepare children for college-level work in reality describe the average college freshman.

The difference between public schooled and homeschooled students has also been noticed by universities. According to Jon Reider, Stanford’s senior associate director of admissions, Homeschooling brings certain skills--motivation, curiosity, the capacity to be responsible for their education--that high schools don’t induce very well. (Golden, Daniel. The Wall Street Journal, February 11, 2000) According to a 1996 survey of over 60 colleges and universities by the National Center for Home Education, many universities have taken notice of these skills and have begun actively pursuing homeschooled students.