“But You Are Going to Send Them to High School… Right?”
These days people are really starting to understand the value that homeschooling brings to the lives of our primary school aged kids. They might say things like…
“Oh wow, that’s great… so flexible!”
“They must love learning in their own way!”
“That’s so lovely that you get to spend time together!”
But once your kids are high school aged, society’s acceptance of home schooling seems to change dramatically…
But now, surely, it’s time to do the “real thing.”
Well—nope.
We’re not planning to send our kids to high school.
Not as a backup. Not to “get serious.” Not even for the social life.
Because here’s the thing:
Homeschooling is the real thing.
We didn’t choose it because we were avoiding something.
We chose it because we were building something:
A way of learning that’s more connected, more respectful, more flexible, and more in tune with how real people grow.
That doesn’t suddenly stop being true at age 12, or 14, or when “it gets serious.”
In fact—this is when it really matters.
The teenage years are a time when kids are figuring out who they are, what matters to them, how they learn, and how they want to show up in the world. And what better environment for that than one where they’re:
- trusted to follow their curiosities,
- supported to go deep into real interests,
- given space to rest, reflect, and try again,
- and surrounded by people who see them as whole human beings—not just students.
And here’s something people don’t always realise:
My husband and I were actually drawn to homeschooling because of the secondary years.
That was the original spark—not the early reading or the play-based learning, but the chance to reimagine what the teen years could look like outside of school systems.
I’ve seen how the school system functions—for better and for worse. I’ve worked as a secondary teacher for 15 years. I’ve held leadership roles, led programs, supported students through tough seasons. .And even with all that experience (or maybe because of it), we chose something different for our own kids.
High school just doesn’t offer what we value most.
Sure, we could “tick the boxes” and go the traditional route. But our reasons for homeschooling haven’t changed, because our child is reaching the teen years. If anything, they’ve grown deeper.
We’re not here to replicate school.
We’re here to support learning that’s:
- meaningful,
- self-directed,
- mentally healthy,
- and led by the person actually doing the learning: our teen.
That doesn’t mean it’s perfect. It just means we’re choosing this path on purpose.
And yes, I get it—school can be a “one-stop shop,” not only for academics but for extracurriculars.
Your kid wants to be in a musical? They audition for the school production.
They want to try debating, basketball, chess? They join the appropriate school club.
But no—my kids won’t miss out on those things.
If they’re keen or interested, I’ll find it, or I’ll create it.
Because real life is full of opportunities, and we don’t need a school timetable to access them.
What About University?
I often get asked, “But how will they get into university?”
The short answer: If my kids want to go to university, we’ll support that choice wholeheartedly—and there are many ways to get in.
In Australia, universities welcome homeschooled students through a range of pathways—whether that’s via portfolios, interviews, or alternative entry programs. The traditional ATAR score isn’t the only ticket in. Many homeschooled teens successfully transition into tertiary education, thriving academically and socially.
Research shows that homeschooled students often perform as well or better than their peers in university settings.
In the US, a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, found that homeschooled students tend to have higher college GPAs and are more engaged in their studies.
In Australia, the flexibility of university admissions pathways makes it accessible for homeschooled students to present their strengths through various means.
But here’s the thing: university isn’t the only path to a meaningful and successful adult life. It’s one option among many—and one they’ll decide about when the time comes, based on what feels right for them.
Our homeschooling journey is about equipping them with skills and confidence to follow their unique paths—whether that includes uni, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, creative work, or something else entirely.
So when people ask—
“But you are going to send them to high school… right?”
I smile and say,
“Nope. We’re doing this all the way through. Because it’s working. Because it’s intentional. And because there’s no magical doorway at age 13 that makes school a better option than what we’re already building together.
Unless my kids develop a burning desire to sit on a bus or at a desk for 8-ish hours a day and then come home to a couple more hours of homework…
we’re good.
This isn’t the warm-up.
This is the main event.
Curious what real meaningful learning can look for teens- without the school part?
If your family is exploring homeschooling through the middle years and beyond, you might love the upcoming
Teen Homeschooling Summit
June 10–13, Online Event
In 15+ workshops run by experienced Homeschooling parents! We’ll explore what it really looks like to homeschool through the teen years—with confidence, connection, and creativity.
You’re not alone, and neither are they.