Types of Homeschooling for Middleschool Students

There is no one single type of homeschooling. Homeschooling parents use several different techniques and types of homeschooling to educate and middle school students. Sometimes of homeschooling techniques such as schooling, are more useful for some families and others. Many families prefer to purchase a curriculum, such as the K-12 curriculum, or use another Christian curriculum.

Here are a few different types of homeschooling:

Unschooling

Unschooling as a type of homeschooling philosophy that is completely child-led. This type of schooling totally focuses on the interests of child and/or parent without a rigid curriculum and typically eschews testing.

Pros and Cons of Unschooling

• Positive learning experience for child following their own interests.  
• Parent must develop/find own resources and create lessons. 
•  Generally unschooling families do not use a packaged curriculum.  
• Some skills (i.e. reading, writing, math) may be developed significantly earlier or later than peers depending on the child's interests.
• Unschooling is a lot of work for the parent. The topics studies varies by age and interest, but is generally quite dependent on parent to find and put together an academic plan, curriculum, lessons, as well as prepare school area, daily activities, lab activities, create and keep portfolio, etc.  
• Many children find greater independence at early age. 
• The unschooling student's interests will begin in general areas and get more in-depth. Often, the parent must be resourceful and find "experts" via internet, books, community to assist in learning.
• Socialization varies depending on the child's focus.  Unschooling children are frequently out in the community and interacting with many people of all ages. 
• Unschooling families generally eschew standardized testing in all forms and favor their child developing deep expertise in a few specialized subjects.
• No degree is earned. Most families keep a portfolio of work.
• Time management is fairly simple. Activities are child-led and focused.
• Homework is generally at child's discretion. 
• Schedules are flexible and families can take time off (vacation, etc) at any time.

Traditional Homeschooling

Traditional homeschooling taking place in the home with a parent leading all instruction using a  regular curriculum. Many homeschooling families participate in standardized testing.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Homeschooling

• Curriculum varies by parental choice.  Some parents choose to create lessons themselves using multiple sources. Other families prefer to purchase a packaged curriculum from one of the many homeschooling curriculum providers. Many families purchase a ciriculum and supplement with subjects or lessons to accommodate their child's interests or academic needs.
• Academic skill level varies depending on curriculum. Studies indicate that homeschooling students are generally close to or superior to similar peers in traditional public schools.
• Parental preparation time varies depending on the choice of curriculum. Parents generally spend several hours a week to find and put together an academic plan, curriculum, lessons, as well as prepare the school area, daily activities, labs, create and keep portfolio, etc.  
• Some children find greater independence and increased study skills.
• Traditional homeschooling requires the parent to do most of the direct instruction. 
• Socialization varies depending on the student's choice of activities outside the home.  Often homeschoolers are very active in their community, church, scouting, sports, and other activities with many people of all ages.
• The amount of academic testing varies widely depending on the parent and curriculum. Generally, there is some testing within subjects. Many homeschooling parents choose to have their students participate in standardized testing.
• No degree is earned through homeschooling. It is wise to keep a portfolio of your student's work for proof of academic performance. Homeschooled high school students typically take the GED exam in lieu of a high school diploma.

Virtual Schooling

In virtual school, academic instruction taking place at home under contract with a school (usually charter school) with a combination of parent and teacher instruction.  Virtual schooling usually has a rigid curriculum developed by a third-party curriculum developer. Instruction delivery can take place with either by books or an online delivery system. Standardized testing and ongoing test preparation is mandatory.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Homeschooling

• The curriculum is selected by the school and usually covers all state mandated education subjects.  Skill level varies, but are generally close to or above similar peers in public schools.
• Parental preparation time is manageable because the curriculum is provided by school. Most preparation time is spent preparing for daily activities, grading, preparing the school area, labs, etc.  
• Some children find greater independence and increased study skills.  
• Failing skills must be addressed before student is allowed to continue program.
• Teaching and instruction is required by parents, but teachers are assigned to assist parent with any problems in elementary and middle school.  
• In many areas, teachers take over the majority of teaching in high school via internet classrooms.
• Socialization varies by the child's choice of activities. Virtual school students are often very active in their community, church, and other activities. Schools may occasionally sponsor activities (online or locally). 
• Some virtual schools have clubs and other extracurricular activities.
• Testing occurs regularly within every subject to demonstrate mastery.
• State-mandated standardized testing is required for all students.
• Depending on the school, usually a high-school diploma is earned upon completion.
• Time management is effective. Your child can proceed through lessons by mastery. 
• Most school work is done only as needed and completed during school hours.  
• School can add or remove requirements at any time.  
• Vacations and time off are usually within school schedule (although there is some flexibility) because lessons can not fall behind.