There is a new trend in high school today – fewer students. According to the latest census sited by the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschool is growing with more than 2.2 million students in 2010. This wave continues to swell as more and more students are leave traditional education and finding other ways to earn their high school diplomas and prepare for college.
One such alternative is online learning. Online homeschool curriculum and online schools make it possible for high school students to get a quality education while tailoring their learning around their life.
One such student is 15 year old Evan Brownell. Surfing since age 3, Evan now participates in many competitions and has even acquired sponsorship. His routine is to surf morning and afternoon.
” What I love best about surfing is the thrill of riding the biggest, longest waves,” says this Florida surfer, “I like being in the ocean. I like that surfing takes me to new places and I get to meet new people who love to do what I do.”
So how can a teenager surf twice a day and travel the world? Evan goes to school at International Virtual Learning Academy. IVLA is an accredited private online school. Teachers support students like Evan as they work through classes at their own pace and according to their own schedule. The flexibility online learning provides fits perfectly with Evan’s professional pursuits.
Pursuing careers is not the only reason that brings families to online learning. Research also shows parents are looking into learning from home because they can:
- Create a safe learning environment specific to the needs of their children
- Instill family beliefs and values
- Provide more academically appropriate opportunities
- Present material as they see best
- Focus on family relationships
- Better guide social interactions
The results? Evan says, “I have won lots of contests.” And homeschool has shown to be a winner as well. Both academic and social indicators show learning from home to be a winning choice. Colleges and universities are now specifically seeking homeschool students.
Stanford University admissions officer, Jon Reider says, “Homeschoolers bring certain skills – motivation, curiosity, the capacity to be responsible for their education – that high schools don’t induce very well.”
No doubt the future looks promising for both surfer Evan Brownell and homeschooling as one makes most of the waves he finds and the other is making waves in its own right.
Sources:
Ray, Brian. “Research Facts on Homeschooling.” January 2014. http://nheri.org/research/research-facts-on-homeschooling.html
“Homeschoolers at Harvard?” http://www.families.com/blog/homeschoolers-at-harvard-colleges-seek-homeschoolers