Homeschooling last two years of HS

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usna35

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Nov 17, 2019
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I have two years of high school left, and I have attended public school all my life, but as a family we have decided to homeschool these last two years. My biggest concern with this is that I am going to be losing all the involvement I have had in school with my extracurricular activities. I would still be able to run on my schools cross country and track teams.

Now, I do have some leadership outside of school, but all of involvement and ideas I had with the school will be lost, and given that the most favorably looked upon extracurriculars are the ones where you have successfully demonstrated your leadership, etc, which can only happen over a period of time, I won't have that consistency. I assume I would still be able to list my extracurriculars I have done so far on my application but I feel that the next two years are what really would have brought me to the next level in my extracurriculars. For example, last year I joined Key Club as a member, and just listing this doesn't look the greatest when these next two years I was going to be focusing on leadership in this program. Plus, I had some really cool ideas and clubs I was looking forward to bringing to the table this year.

Now, I feel as if now I'm just going to be turning 180 degrees the other direction and I have to almost completely start anew and given that extracurriculars, leadership, and involvement are already a weakness of homeschooled students when this year I was going to be really delving deeper into my involvement, etc. There are a lot of threads on extracurriculars for homeschoolers, and I will be looking into that during this coming year to increase my volunteering, teamwork, and involvement in the community in any way I can (I already have some ideas going!), but any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

I am worried that I'm just going to end up with a huge weakness in regards to my leadership and extracurriculars.
 
That's great you'll be able to still run XC and track. Have you checked to see if you can still participate in the clubs at your old school or another school near you? Some school systems allow for homeschooled students to participate in more than just sports.

I have 7 nieces and nephews that were only ever homeschooled up until they attended college. The last two (of 9) are in high school now and are still being homeschooled. All participated heavily in their church (lots of activities and volunteering within the church) and competed locally and nationally in Bible Bowl from grade school through high school graduation. None of them had the opportunity to play/participate in sports. #1 kid did lots of babysitting both for $$ and for free. #2 kid volunteered at the hospital from age 15 twice a week until getting a paying job at 17. Then #2 kid worked both the part-time job and still volunteered at the hospital one day a week. #2 also worked free-lance cutting grass, cleaning gutters, shoveling snow, and babysitting. #2 also ran a lot, worked out, went on a mission trip and learned to play guitar. #3 kid did babysitting and pet sitting. #4 kid battled for his life. Miracle kid! #5 kid also volunteered at the hospital from age 15 on and did babysitting. #6 kid did yard/lawn work, drama & singing, and working out. #7 kid did babysitting. #8 and #9 kids are still works in progress. Where did they end up? One preschool teacher, a nurse with a masters degree who also taught college for 2 years, a dental hygienist, he's alive, another nurse, a soon to be youth minister, a pharmacy student, a possible history teacher, and possibly another nurse.

Find what interests you and what you are passionate about. Sometimes when you are doing what you enjoy, opportunities will find you. Good luck!
 
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Also look at the threads discussing “covid” and loss of the ability to lead. That’s been a common discussion lately due to the way things are going presently for schoolsthat would have relevant ideas for you.

You will need to demonstrate leadership. Not just ‘participation’ in EC’s. And you will also be asked about why you changed to homeschooling. no need to answer, but you will need to address that.

Every class has home schooled Mids. It’s not uncommon.
 
My son, class of '24, was home schooled from the beginning. He did take advantage of sports at the local high school and was in leadership roles there. Can you be the captain of your cross country team?

Also, look into continuing with the Key club. If a school allows participation in sports for home schoolers, they usually allow participation in all extracurricular activities (band, debate, etc.)

Finally, look elsewhere - perhaps a civic or religious organization might fill out your remaining time- youth group, charities, outside athletics. My daughter, not a mid, but also homeschooled, had a very impressive application leaving home schooling as the control over her time allowed her to spend 30+ hours a week in her dance studio taking and teaching classical ballet.

Find something that you love and spend your time doing it well. Home schooling gives you an amazing amount of time to spend wisely on other things.
 
And even if you don't attend a house of worship, they may have volunteering opportunities they would be delighted for you to help out with.
 
My West Point son (Class of 2018 in Mechanical Engineering) was homeschooled from K - 12 and was far enough ahead academically that he did his entire HS senior year at community college earning dual credits. He had no problem finding leadership opportunities in high school, and in fact, had trouble limiting himself to just a few of the many choices available. There are lots of opportunities for outside activities for kids in various areas of personal interest. Some of the outside activities that my son chose included the following, among others:
  • Boy Scouts - earned Eagle rank & was elected to several troop leadership positions
  • Sports - He was a competitive rifle shooter starting at age 12 and competed in Texas Junior Olympics for Rifle all 4 years in HS, and earned a spot in the National Junior Olympics for Rifle one year
  • 4-H - He was active in our local 4-H Shooting Sports club - youth officer all 4 years, selected at the state level to be a TX State 4-H Ambassador for his junior & senior years, won several TX State 4-H Shooting Awards, selected to attend the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships all 4 years of HS
  • Selected to attend Texas Boys State
  • Selected to attend Naval Academy Summer Seminar (but did not get selected for the West Point SLE)
  • Selected to attend both the Texas & the National NRA Youth Education Summits
Two of his friends from his Boy Scout troop who were also homeschooled K - 12 were accepted to, and graduated from West Point, as well.
 
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