Recently, I had a reader ask me for some information on how home schoolers do out in the real world after graduation: i.e. college, work-force, etc. I spoke to the president of Lighthouse Christian Homeschool Association, Beth Herbert, and put the question to her. The following is her response:
"After 15 years, I've watched quite a few homeschool kids grow up and go on to "life" ...... My own kids have done great in college. Sarah has been Dean's List or President's List ( highest) all 4 years at Appalachian. My boys aren't as high achieving academically, but still did just fine with their classes, and more importantly, have been active participants and leaders on campus. Alex played intramural sports and held a campus job as well as being in ROTC for 4 years, and is now an Army officer serving his country in Iraq. Sarah has been an RA at Appalachian for 3 years, and also works a campus job. She was in the Gospel Choir, is active in her church up there in Boone, goes out dancing, has lots of friends. Eric also has lots of friends, does a lot of outdoor stuff like hiking, snowboarding, camping with other students, is applying to be an RA next year. They have all 3 been on overseas missions trips, giving of their time and money to help people in Costa Rica and Ethiopia. The fact is, they don't stick out as "homeschoolers", except for the fact they are not partiers! Sarah did a power point slide show in her speech class, which asked the question "which of these Appalachian students was home schooled?" The class tried to pick out those they thought were, based on their stereotypes, and at the end Sarah informed them that ALL of the students shown in the Power Point had been home schooled, including her!
I could brag on my kids all day long. They are awesome people.
Other home schooled grads that I personally know have gone on to the following:
* received appointment to West Point and is now a senior there ( and you don't stay there if you can't cut it, academically, physically, emotionally...)
* graduated high school at age 17 and graduated from Liberty University 3 years later, with degree in Sports management, now working at RBC center and working on masters degree
* went to work as a design consultant at a tile store, then married and has started a family
* cosmetology school and recently married
* graduated from UNC-G with double major in music and math; married with 3 small children now; leads Math Counts team for homeschoolers, led homeschool girls choir for 5 years
* finishing 4 years as a US Marine; just returned from Afghanistan and getting married this summer
* child care worker at YMCA; then spent 2 years as missionary in Uganda
* photography school; now married
* 2 years at Liberty U.; now Raleigh firefighter
* graduated from Community college w/ Associates degree; owned and operated her own dance studio for several years; married
* did not go to college but instead started his own computer consulting business; is VERY successful
* youngest full-time Wake Forest firefighter
* enlisted in Army and has served 6 years as Communications Specialist
* served in NC National Guard; injured in Iraq; now Henderson Police officer
* currently in Christian college; has taken 2 trips to China to teach English;
* microbiology research assistant at NC State University
* full soccer scholarship to High Point University
* video production(?) major at UNC-W; assistant youth pastor
I could go on, but that is an overview -
Are all homeschool grads successful? No. Homeschooling isn't a magic pill and some of these kids will struggle, just like those in the general population. But overall, my experience is that homeschool grads are great people, well rounded, easily move into college or work or marriage or military - and are doing GREAT."
So you see, we not only graduate students who are confident in their social skills, but they do go on to do some amazing things and function well just like their public school counterparts. Keep in mind, this is just a small sampling of homeschool graduates from one local support group here in Wake County. I'm sure if you put the question out there to other support groups and organizations, you'd here even more amazing stories.
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