Should my kid do online school?

Deciding on online school depends on your child's personality (self-motivated, tech-savvy), learning style (needs flexibility or quiet), and family needs (schedule, support available), offering benefits like self-paced learning, fewer distractions, and flexible scheduling for advanced students, athletes, or those needing a safe environment, but requires strong parental involvement and a good program to ensure social skills and academic rigor are met.

Do home-schooled kids do better in life?

Research suggests homeschooled children often experience significant advantages, performing better academically, achieving higher college success rates, and demonstrating strong civic and personal engagement as adults, though some studies note mixed findings on social skills and highlight that family background factors can influence outcomes. They tend to score higher on standardized tests, are more likely to attend college, and show higher rates of volunteering, voting, and community involvement.
 

What are the downsides of online school?

The main cons of online school are the need for strong self-motivation and discipline, increased potential for social isolation, distractions at home, heavy reliance on technology (internet issues, screen fatigue), and limited hands-on learning opportunities, making it challenging for some students to stay focused, engaged, and connected compared to traditional classrooms. 

Is online schooling worth it?

What Makes an Online Degree Worth It? An online degree can be a smart choice if you're looking for flexibility — you can study from anywhere with internet access and fit classes around your busy or unpredictable schedule.

What is the biggest disadvantage of homeschooling?

The biggest disadvantage of homeschooling often cited is the significant time commitment and intense demands on parents, turning education into a full-time job requiring immense dedication, organization, and potential strain on the parent-child relationship, alongside challenges like limited diverse social interaction, lack of specialized facilities (labs, gyms), and the burden of providing all extracurriculars, as well as potential issues with social stigma and parents passing on their own academic weaknesses.
 

DOING ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL IN 2024 | what you NEED to know | helping you decide - online vs. public

What is the hardest age to homeschool?

There's no single "hardest" age to homeschool, as it varies, but many parents find the preschool/early elementary years draining due to high dependence on the parent, while others struggle most with middle school (ages 11-14) due to hormonal changes, growing independence, and social pressures, and some find teen years (15+) difficult with the balance of self-direction and major life transitions like driving. The difficulty often shifts from parental teaching burden in early years to managing teen autonomy and social challenges later on, with some finding the first year of homeschooling hardest overall, regardless of age. 

Are homeschool kids happier?

Yes, a Harvard study found that homeschooled children can be happier, more well-adjusted, and more engaged compared to their public school counterparts.

What is the failure rate of online school?

Half — 50.1% — of high school students attending online schools graduated within four years, according to data collected in 2016-2017. The graduation rate was 48.5% at virtual schools managed by for-profit companies. Both fell below the national average of 84%.

Which is better, homeschool or online school?

Neither online school nor homeschooling is inherently "better"; the best choice depends on your child's needs, your family's capacity, and educational goals, with homeschooling offering maximum parental control and flexibility over curriculum and schedule, while online schools provide structure, certified teachers, accredited programs, and a recognized diploma, often with a parent acting as a learning coach. Both offer personalized pacing and reduce classroom stress, but homeschooling requires significant parent planning, whereas online schooling relies on technology and set schedules with live teachers. 

Are online schools taken seriously?

However, recent data shows that 83% of employers now consider online degrees to be as credible as those earned through traditional on-campus programs, according to a 2023 survey by the Online Learning Consortium.

Does online school affect mental health?

The unprecedented shutdown of classroom learning caused undue stress, low levels of social inclusion and low satisfaction with school for many — and mental health issues for some, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Davis.

What is the biggest problem with online learning?

Managing time effectively is one of the most significant challenges in online learning. Without the structured schedule of a traditional classroom, students can struggle to prioritize tasks, leading to missed deadlines and stress. How to Overcome It: Develop a structured study routine and set clear, achievable goals.

Why should online school not continue?

In some areas and for some subjects, online learning may not be as effective as in-person programs. It's much harder to run an improv class online, for example. If possible, try to decide between online vs in person learning on a case-by-case basis.

Does Harvard like homeschoolers?

Absolutely. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and their peers actively seek intellectually curious students from diverse educational backgrounds—including homeschoolers.

Was Taylor Swift ever homeschooled?

Yes, Taylor Swift was homeschooled during her high school years to accommodate her burgeoning music career, allowing her the flexibility to travel and focus on songwriting, with her parents enrolling her in programs like Aaron Academy to complete her education while touring. She effectively left traditional public school after 10th grade to focus on music, completing her diploma through homeschooling. 

How many hours a day should a child homeschool?

A homeschool day varies greatly but generally ranges from 1-2 hours for preschool/early elementary to 3-5+ hours for older kids, focusing on core subjects with flexibility for play, experiments, and interests, often taking much less time than public school due to no warehousing, though total learning (including life skills/reading) can fill the day. Younger kids learn best through play, while older students might have longer work blocks, but the key is quality over quantity, adapting to the child's needs and your family's lifestyle. 

What is the most successful homeschool method?

There's no single "most successful" homeschool method, as success depends on the child and family; however, popular and effective approaches include Classical (Trivium: Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric), focusing on "Great Books" and Socratic dialogue; Charlotte Mason, emphasizing "living books," nature, and hands-on work; and Unschooling, child-led learning based on interests, with the parent as facilitator. The best method aligns with your child's personality, your goals (like college prep or skill mastery), and your family's lifestyle, often blending elements from different styles for a personalized approach. 

Does online school count as homeschooling?

No, full-time online school is generally not considered homeschooling; online school is typically a public or private institution providing education virtually through certified teachers and a set curriculum, while homeschooling is parent-led, with parents responsible for curriculum, instruction, and accountability. Both happen at home, but online school is legally treated as traditional schooling (public or private), meaning you don't register as a homeschooler and follow different state regulations, but some homeschooling families supplement with online classes. 

What proof do you need for homeschooling?

What proof is required for homeschooling in California? California homeschooling requirements are not stringent. Although there is some recordkeeping to do and an affidavit to fill out (as a home-based private school), there are no reporting mechanisms and virtually no oversight.

How many hours a day does online school take?

Online school hours vary significantly by grade and program, but generally range from 1-2 hours for elementary to 3-4+ hours for high school, including live lessons and homework, with younger students often having shorter days and more flexibility, while some state-mandated programs expect around 6 hours daily of total work (online + offline). The structure can be flexible (self-paced) or more rigid (scheduled live classes), but most virtual schools require daily engagement. 

Do colleges look down on online schools?

Colleges view online schools in the same way they do brick-and-mortar schools. As long as the quality of learning, accreditation, and reputation is of a high standard, online school students will have equal odds of college acceptance as students attending traditional schools.

What program has the highest dropout rate?

In 2025, the situation remains critical, with Computer Science majors experiencing a dropout rate of 10.7%, the highest among all college majors.

What is the 777 rule for kids?

The "777 rule" for kids generally refers to either three daily 7-minute blocks of focused connection (morning, after school, bedtime) to build bonds, or a parenting philosophy that breaks childhood into three 7-year stages (0-7, 7-14, 14-21), each with a different focus like play, teaching values, and guiding independence. A less common version focuses on screen time limits (7 hours/week, 7 feet away, 7 days before events) to promote healthy habits. 

Do you get a tax write-off for homeschooling?

While homeschooling families can't get a deduction on the federal level, several states offer tax breaks. These deductions can offset some of the cost of buying school supplies and curriculum. However, these state-level tax incentives vary widely from state to state.

What is the best age to start homeschooling?

Kindergarten is one of the most popular times for families to start homeschooling. Around this age, children often begin to enjoy early academic activities like identifying letters, writing their names, or playing with numbers.