Why Unschooling High School May Be the Best Option for Your Child
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Unschooling is a relatively new concept in the world of education. It’s an alternative approach to learning where children have the freedom to explore their interests and passions, rather than following a set curriculum. Unschooling has been growing in popularity over the years and for good reason. High school can be a challenging and stressful time for many teenagers, and traditional schooling methods may not be the best fit for every child.
In this post, we’ll explore why unschooling may be the best option for your child during their high school years. From the benefits of tailored learning to the importance of self-directed learning, we’ll take a closer look at the advantages of unschooling and how it can help your child thrive both academically and personally.
What is unschooling?
Unschooling is a unique approach to education that is gaining popularity among parents who want to provide their children with a more personalized and flexible learning experience. Essentially, unschooling is a form of homeschooling that is focused on child-led education rather than a structured curriculum.
The idea behind unschooling is that children are naturally curious and eager to learn and that they will naturally gravitate towards subjects and topics that interest them. Instead of following a set curriculum or schedule, unschoolers are encouraged to explore their interests and passions in a way that is meaningful to them.
Unschoolers are not limited to traditional learning settings such as a classroom or textbook. They can learn from a variety of sources including the internet, books, documentaries, museums, and even real-life experiences.
One of the key benefits of unschooling is the freedom it provides both the child and the parent. Children are able to learn at their own pace and in a way that works best for them. Parents are able to tailor their child’s education to their individual needs and interests, rather than adapting to a one-size-fits-all approach.
Basics of unschooling high school
Unschooling high school is a type of homeschooling where the student directs their own education, and the parents act as facilitators rather than teachers. The idea is that the student learns through their own interests and experiences, rather than following a set curriculum.
There are no tests, grades, or assignments, which can be liberating for students who struggle with traditional school structures. Instead, the student is encouraged to explore their passions and pursue their own goals, with the parent acting as a guide and mentor.
Unschooling high school can be a great option for students who are self-motivated and independent learners, as well as those who have struggled in traditional school environments. It allows them to take ownership of their education and learn in a way that is meaningful and relevant to them.
However, unschooling high school is not for everyone. It requires a lot of trust in the student, and the parent must be comfortable with letting go of control over their child’s education. It also requires a lot of planning and organization from the parent, as they must provide resources and opportunities for their child to pursue their interests.
Benefits of unschooling high school
Unschooling high school can be an excellent option for many students and families. One of the primary benefits of unschooling is that it allows for personalized learning. Every student has unique strengths, weaknesses, and interests, and unschooling allows them to pursue their passions while still learning necessary skills and knowledge. This flexibility can lead to a more engaged and motivated student who is excited about learning.
Another benefit of unschooling high school is that it fosters independence and self-direction. Students who are responsible for their own education are more likely to take ownership of their learning and become self-directed learners. This can translate into success in college and beyond, as these skills are highly valued in the workforce.
Unschooling can also provide real-world learning opportunities. Rather than just learning from textbooks, unschooled students have the freedom to explore and learn from the world around them. This can include internships, volunteering, travel, and other experiences that can provide valuable learning opportunities while also allowing students to explore different career paths and interests.
Finally, unschooling high school can be a great option for families who want to prioritize their relationships and family life. Unschooling allows for more flexibility in scheduling and can allow for more quality time spent together as a family. This can be especially important during the high school years when students are often busy with extracurricular activities, homework, and social obligations.
Where to start and how to make the transition to unschooling high school
Making the transition to unschooling high school can be an exciting but daunting task for both parents and students. It requires a significant shift in mindset and a willingness to let go of traditional educational models. The first step is to start researching and learning as much as you can about unschooling high school. Talk to other families who have made the transition, read books and articles on the topic, and attend conferences or workshops.
Once you have a solid understanding of what unschooling high school entails, start to have open and honest conversations with your child about their education and what they want to achieve. This is a great opportunity to get to know your child on a deeper level and discover their passions and interests. From there, you can start to co-create a personalized learning plan that is tailored to their individual needs and goals.
This may include selecting courses or activities that align with their interests, finding mentors or tutors who can provide guidance and support, and exploring alternative forms of assessment such as portfolios or project-based learning.
Common Concerns Amongst Parents About Unschooling
There are many parents who worry that their child won’t do anything but watch TV and spend their day surfing the Internet. They feel as if their child wouldn’t be motivated enough to be a self-learner.
However, what they don’t realize is that time spent watching TV or surfing the Internet is not wasted time. Children need to have time to play, explore and try new things regardless of their age.
Sometimes as adults, we don’t see the value of these things but it is definitely there, especially in high school when teens need to have time to try out new ideas, think about different careers, and explore areas in which they are interested in order to see if these are areas that they may want to pursue for the rest of their time or just for a short while.
These are things that they won’t learn how to do for themselves if we direct their learning and set a schedule for them. They also won’t become internally motivated if someone besides themselves is continually setting a schedule for them.
A Typical Unschooling Day For Those In High School
It is difficult to describe what the typical day is like for a high school student who is unschooled. This is because every day is different depending on what activities are scheduled. Each year is always different every year as children pick up new interests and drop old ones. Dynamics also change as children mature.
Graduation For Unschoolers From High School
Unschoolers are able to graduate from high school and continue on to college without any problems. Of course, your child may also decide that college isn’t for them or that they’d rather attend a community college.
Regardless of their choice, they will be able to function just fine in life. All you have to do is make sure that they do well on their SATs and that you put together a good transcript for them.
College admissions with an unschooled high schooler
Navigating college admissions with an unschooled high schooler can seem daunting, but it’s important to remember that many colleges and universities are becoming more open to alternative education methods. In fact, some institutions actively seek out homeschooled and unschooled applicants because they often bring unique perspectives and skills to campus.
The key is to make sure your unschooled high schooler is prepared to present themselves and their education in the best light possible. This means having a well-rounded portfolio that showcases their interests, skills, and achievements. It could include independent projects, volunteer work, internships, apprenticeships, and any other experiences that demonstrate their passion and commitment to learning.
It’s also important to be transparent about your child’s educational background and provide any necessary documentation or transcripts. Some colleges and universities may require standardized test scores or additional coursework, so it’s important to research each institution’s admission requirements and communicate with their admissions office.
Transcripts For Unschoolers In High School
There are a lot of ways in which you can put transcripts together even though you have chosen to unschool high school.
How you choose to go about it will depend upon your state’s homeschool regulations. If your state considers you a private school, simply translate your child’s activities into school subjects.
Some states will also allow you to join a church school that will then provide your child with their transcript or diploma based upon the information that you provide them with. There are also some “unschooling schools” (i.e. West River Academy) that will provide transcripts and diplomas, which can be quite reassuring.
In Conclusion To Unschooling High School Students
Clearly, every child’s schedule will be different so every child’s education will be different. Unschoolers don’t believe that their children should have to learn subjects that they will never have any use for so they don’t require them to study or learn a lot of the traditional school subjects. Instead, they allow their child to follow their interests since that is most likely what they will do for a career anyhow.
They believe that this will allow their child to do better and be happier with their career since it is something they have been able to take time to learn about early on.
Many unschooling parents will even go so far as to have their child “try on” the career, immerse themselves within it, find people who are making their living in this way, get an apprenticeship if possible, and thus really discover if it is something that they actually want to do.
This way if this isn’t something they want to do they will be able to move on to another idea or interest. In this way, they will eventually be able to narrow down their focus to the area in which their skills are the strongest, which will inevitably be an area that they will truly desire to work within. For unschoolers, this is what high school is really all about.