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Home School or High School...

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jemazjemaz1,000+ posts
I understand that most every parent works hard for what is best for their child. However, I just don't see how homeschooling over high school can be any kind of an advantage in terms of preparation for the world, much less baseball.

If a player is good enough, the summer schedule ought to suffice, but it certainly makes things far more difficult than might otherwise be the case.

Best of luck.
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NJPitcher06NJPitcher06100+ posts
Hmmm, while I'm aware that Lamber and all other parents were once high schoolers, I think you are forgetting the maturity level of high schoolers. Nobody I have encountered has been emotionally broken down in a high-school. Maybe my school is a rarity, but there is little to no bullying or the like that many people associate with high school. The few hazing stories you hear about are the far and away exception, not the rule.

If you are worried about education quality, it would not be a problem to homeschool through 8th gradeand then send him to high school. Many kids make the transfer from private to public at this point, and kids are easily embraced, in a week he'll have more friends than he'll know what to do with.

With regard to a child being morally corrupted and whatnot in school, I personally believe that a good upbringing and spending times with your kids is the best way to prevent that. And remember, don't shield him from the real world.

In my opinion, you can continue to home school through 8th grade, but then you should let him make the decision. Either way, I don't think that playing or not playing high school baseball will hurt, the (summer) travel teams are what get you noticed.

NJ Pitch
U Underground100+ posts
Hello Bandito
I might be able to help, I homeschooled in Grade 12. As far as education goes, if you or your wife are good teachers, then he'll probably be learning just as much if not more than public schoolers. It's great than you can teach him at a pace which wil allow him to learn instead of worrying about him falling behind the rest of the class. But if you can't teach him well, (like my teacher), then send him to public high. And depending on your neighborhood, if it's friendly, he'll make friends there. If it's not friendly (like the ones I grew up in), then he should be happy he hasn't met those public schoolers. As far as his social life, if he's been homed his whole life he probably doesn't have that many friends, so please spend plenty of time with him. Cause if you don't, he will very quickly get depressed and lonely (like me), and trust me it is the worst feeling in the world. So take him out to lots of places so that he isn't isolated from the world (like I was), and give him some kind of life.
I, personally, went through hell in homeschool. The only reason I did homeschool that year was because my dad moved out. Our family just bought this huge house way out in the boonies. Gorgeous house, pool, lots of lawn, it needed lots of attention to keep up. Summer wan't so bad. Swimming, lots of area to practice ball with my dad. We had a couple spare sheds, so me and my dad cooked up a little hitting cage for me. Then bang, a month later he's gone. Half of the life sucked right outta me in a matter of one month. Instead of doing long toss with dad, I just chucked balls across the yard into the side of the shed, since no one was around to hear the bang, and it didn't matter if it knocked over, we still had a couple other sheds too. The cage I then used to hit off the T. I also bounced rubber balls off another shed and practiced fielding that way. So I was left with my mom and my younger brothers. And when winter came around, hell struck. Baseball was done, pool closed. My mom made my brothers homeschool. My youngest bro has a real bad case of ADHD, he always got in trouble at school, so mom took him out in Grade 4. My other got made fun of so bad in elementary, so mom took him out too, in Grade 7. He started public High in Gr.9 and isn't doing too too bad now. My youngest still has ADHD though and he's still homing, he's in Gr.7 now doing just fine. As for me, without dad around I had to do all the work. My mom was too busy homeschooling the kids, so she made me homeschool that year, to help her out around the house. And that's all I did that winter, house work. My mom was too busy teaching the kids and doing housework that she never spent any time with me at all. I didn't learn a thing that winter. All I ever did was housework. It wasn't too too bad living without dad, but living with someone else who never gave you any attention is traumatizing, it sucked the other half of my life out. We only had one TV, and someone else was usually watching, so I had absolutely nothing to do. I spent the entire winter staring out my window thinking about other people, classrooms, people having fun hanging out on weekends, and baseball, not to mention other schoolsports, and gym class, and most of all, my dad. On weekends my mom and I were doing housework. She never brought me anywhere, and never gave me anything fun to do. It was hell, I didn't want to do a thing anymore, I didn't want to get out of bed. I told my mom I couldn't take it anymore, but she just said "Get over it!". Great advice, depression doesn't just leave at the snap of you fingers. So finally I bugged her enough and she moved us back into a neighborhood, a small house that didn't need as much work to keep it up. So I went back to public high the next year. That's my homeschool story! I also homed up til Grade3, I don't know why either. But I was young, and dad was around to play ball with. So please give you son lots of attention, otherwise you and your son may suffer the consequences, and your whole family. I'm telling you, isolation and loneliness are the worst feelings in the world. I'd rather get beaned in the forehead by Randy Johnson, that would actually be a relief. If you've been homing him his whole life, then he's probably used to it, and if he hasn't been complaining about it at all, then you must be doing a great job, so keep it up!!! As for baseball, jemaz is right, if he's good he'll show the scouts in the summer. But don't forget about school sports and gym class, that'll definately keep him in shape athletically. Chances of getting a D1 scholarship may diminish, since he won't be exposed to scouts as much as other players. So try to find him a traveling team that plays lots over summer, and don't forget to sign him up for as many showcases as possible. That should be plenty enough exposure for a D1 scholarship. And don't forget to practice with him at home during "recess", and good luck. The public highs I went to didn't have ball teams at all, but I still played well in the summer. So good luck, and I wish the best!

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference"
M mrmom500+ posts
Probably, baseball wise it might not make a difference. The lone factor that occurs to me is the high school baseball experience does provide a standard/baseline applicable to all other high schoolers. There are factors in HS ball like leadership, dealing with bad coaches, players you don't like etc. that aren't always as evident, IMHO, in select ball. In select ball when you encounter something you don't like you try to change it or quit.

Also, select teams, though this is a generalization, tend to coddle kids because of the investment aspect of time as well as money so PT may be more guaranteed. Parents have a say in pay for play select teams...HS NOT SO. In HS coach doesn't have to answer to parent...they may but don't have to. You and your son need to experience this...because in College ball that coach doesn't care what parent says unless that parent is a HUGE "donator/alumn etc. to the school.

That said, consider the socialization factor as well. Say what you will, the trials, tribulations, and imperfections of HS parallel those in life because as citizens in a large population, or HS students, or College students there are rules and regs that have to be dealt with and they are not all written down.

Tempatations you may worry about in HS are even (IMHO) more tempting in College where Mom and Dad aren't there to "keep an eye" on you.

Bottom line, to me it's better to throw them in the shallow end of the pool to see/teach them if they can swim (HS while your still with them and can help with some tough lessons), than the deep end (college) when they are all alone and have no one to throw them a life line.
BK'sMOMBK'sMOM1,000+ posts
banditodad...

although mine wasn't homeschooled...for us..speaking strictly on a personal level...

son will be attending DIV 1 school next fall..on a baseball scholly...had several options on the table to choose from...

college coaches never saw him in our area...only on fields in summer between junior and senior year of high school and during the fall of senior year...not ever closer than 3 hours from home...

it can happen...it takes work...traveling...and getting seen...

good luck in your pursuits..as there are no easy answers and every one must seek that which works for them...
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N NYdad500+ posts
Some interesting reading on homeschooling...

55 Reasons To Homeschool from The National Home Education Network...

1.. Spend more time together as a family.
2.. Spend more time with children when they are rested and fresh rather than tired and cranky from school.
3.. Avoid having to struggle to get children to do the tedious
busywork that is so often sent home as homework.
4.. Allow children time to learn subjects not usually taught in their school.
5.. Allow children to have time for more in-depth study than what is allowed in school.
6.. Allow children to learn at their own pace, not too slow or too fast.
7.. Allow children to work at a level that is appropriate to their own developmental stage. Skills and concepts can be introduced at the right time for that child.
8.. Provide long, uninterrupted blocks of time for writing, reading, playing, thinking, or working so that the child is able to engage in sophisticated, complex activities and thought processes.
9.. Encourage concentration and focus - which are discouraged in
crowded classrooms with too many distractions.
10.. Encourage the child to develop the ability to pace her/himself - this is prevented in a classroom where the schedule is designed to keep every child busy all the time.
11.. Spend a lot of time out-of-doors. This is more healthy than spending most weekdays indoors in a crowded, and often overheated, classroom.
12.. Spending more time out-of-doors results in feeling more in touch with the changing of the seasons and with the small and often overlooked miracles of nature.
13.. Children learn to help more with household chores, developing a sense of personal responsibility.
14.. Children learn life skills, such as cooking, in a natural way, by spending time with adults who are engaged in those activities.
15.. More time spent on household responsibilities strengthens family bonds because people become more committed to things they have invested in (in this case, by working for the family).
16.. Time is available for more nonacademic pursuits such as art or music. This leads to a richer, happier life.
17.. Children will not feel like passive recipients of subject matter selected by their teachers. They will learn to design their own education and take responsibility for it.
18.. Children will realize that learning can take place in a large variety of ways.
19.. Children will learn to seek out assistance from many alternative sources, rather than relying on a classroom teacher to provide all the answers.
20.. A more relaxed, less hectic lifestyle is possible when families do not feel the necessity to supplement school during after-school and week-end hours.
21.. Busywork can be avoided.
22.. Learning can be more efficient since methods can be used that suit a child's particular learning style.
23.. Children will avoid being forced to work in "cooperative
learning groups" which include children who have very uncooperative attitudes.
24.. Children can learn to work for internal satisfaction rather than for external rewards.
25.. Children will not be motivated to "take the easy way out" by doing just enough work to satisfy their teacher. They will learn to be
their own judge of the quality of their own work.
26.. Children will be more willing to take risks and be creative since they do not have to worry about being embarrassed in front of peers.
27.. Children will be more confident since they are not subject to constant fear of criticism from teachers.
28.. Peer pressure will be reduced. There will be less pressure to grow up as quickly in terms of clothing styles, music, language, interest in the opposite ***.
29.. Social interactions will be by choice and based on common
interests.
30.. Friends can be more varied, not just with the child's
chronological age peer group who happen to go to the same school.
31.. Field trips can be taken on a much more frequent basis.
32.. Field trips can be much more enjoyable and more productive when not done with a large school group which usually involves moving too quickly and dealing with too many distractions.
33.. Field trips can be directly tied into the child's own
curriculum.
34.. Volunteer service activities can be included in the family's regular schedule. Community service can be of tremendous importance in a child's development and can be a great learning experience.
35.. Scheduling can be flexible, allowing travel during less
expensive and less crowded off-peak times. This can allow for more travel than otherwise, which is a wonderful learning experience.
36.. Children will be less likely to compare their own knowledge or intelligence with other children and will be less likely to become either conceited or feel inferior.
37.. Religious and special family days can be planned and celebrated.
38.. More time will be spent with people (friends and family) who really love and care about the children. Children will bond more with siblings and parents since they will spend more time together playing, working, and helping each other.
39.. Feedback on children's work will be immediate and appropriate. They won't have to wait for a teacher to grade and return their work later to find out if they understood it.
40.. Feedback can be much more useful than just marking answers
incorrect or giving grades.
41.. Testing is optional. Time doesn't have to be spent on testing or preparing for testing unless the parent and/or child desires it.
42.. Observation and discussion are ongoing at home and additional assessment methods are often redundant. Testing, if used, is best used to indicate areas for further work.
43.. Grading is usually unnecessary and learning is seen as
motivating in and of itself. Understanding and knowledge are the rewards for studying, rather than grades (or stickers, or teacher's approval, etc.).
44.. Children can be consistently guided in a family's values and can learn them by seeing and participating in parents' daily lives.
45.. Children will learn to devote their energy and time to
activities that THEY think are worthwhile.
46.. Children will be able to learn about their ethnicities in a manner that will not demean. Children will be able to understand multiculturalism in its true sense and not from the pseudo-multicultural materials presented in schools which tend to depict others from a dominant culture perspective.
47.. Children will not learn to "fit into society," but will,
instead, value morality and love more than status and money.
48.. Children do not have to wait until they are grown to begin to seriously explore their passions; they can start living now.
49.. Children's education can be more complete than what schools offer.
50.. Children who are "different" in any way can avoid being
subjected to the constant and merciless teasing, taunting, and bullying which so often occurs in school.
51.. Children with special needs will be encouraged to reach their full potential and not be limited by the use of "cookie cutter" educational methods used in schools.
52.. Low standards or expectations of school personnel will not
influence or limit children's ability to learn and excel.
53.. Children will be safer from gangs, drugs, and guns.
54.. Parents will decide what is important for the children to learn, rather than a government bureaucracy.
55.. Family will not be forced to work within school's traditional hours if it does not fit well with their job schedules and sleep needs.

"On two legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer who ever lived." - Nellie Fox
bandito dadbandito dad10+ posts
Once again thank you all for your opinion whether it is the same as mine or not.
as far as currriculum goes we use Abeka program which is used by the majority of schools here. My children are not sheltered they can spend the night with their friends ride bikes etc...both are very active in their individual activites. As a parent, just like most of you i'm feel like both of my kids are accelerated more than their friens are at the same age.

www.banditosbaseballclub.com

Go Hard or Go Home
09dad09dad10+ posts
bandito dad,
My son is in a modified home school program. Modified in the fact someone else does the teaching, not mom or dad. It's the best thing we've ever done for our son. We also have a very flexible schedule. I think you are doing the right thing and NO, it will not have an effect on him getting a schlorship.

I'm still reading, it ain't time yet!!!
U Underground100+ posts
"Let the kids go to a school and learn to SOCIALIZE.

That is what LIFE is all about!" AMEN! However, bandito's son does have friends, to bike with etc. so he's all set.

Bandito, there are quite a few articles and tips on this site regarding recruiting, so look around. The recruiting timeline might be of interest to you.

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference"
D dbg_fan1,000+ posts
quote:
Let the kids go to a school and learn to SOCIALIZE.


I hope that your child's socialization skills are learned at home, from parents as role models; not from adolescent peers. I watch the way children socialize in grades 6-9. They are brutal to each other.

BanditoDad - We homeschooled our baseball player until HS. Entering public school system was a big mistake. Here's hoping you find a solution that works for you & your child.

FWIW, our son's future college coach never saw a HS game. Coach did call for reference from HS coach. No reason this conversation can't be held with a reputable summer coach.

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.-- Abraham Lincoln
U Underground100+ posts
" I watch the way children socialize in grades 6-9. They are brutal to each other." How so? Mouthy, bullies, cocky? It probably depends on where you live. Also, Jr. Bandito isn't in that age range. If kids in that age range are brutal to each other, it may come from bad parenting, or/but they should/probably will mature out of it in/by HS. In my High School, everyone was brutal to each other, no matter what Grade, what your hobbie was (baskebtall, drugs, drinking, TV, skateboarding), but where I grew was pretty rough. Again, it depends on where you live. I grew up in a poor welfare inhabited area.
You may want to tell Bandito what your kids college is, if the coach hasn't seen a HS game.

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference"
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B BigWI1,000+ posts
I bet that a lot of kids get signed without coaches seeing their high school games.

Most college seasons are in Full swing during the High School season and coaches don't have that much time. I would guess, and IT IS ONLY A GUESS, that most kids get seen on their summer teams or showcases.

Except for Iowa and Parts of Wsiconsin where they play thier HS games in the summer

Play every game as if it were your last
jemazjemaz1,000+ posts
I must say, that Texas must be a very different place. Sure, my kids get their base at home, but school -- public school -- is a wonderful and nurturing place for them, warts and all. If they had to switch schools, they would be upset, which is as it should be.

School, like the world, can be great. Sometimes, like the world, it is not. By and large, though, for most kids in America public school provides an enduring, valuable and lifelong base. In the end, it largely is what family makes of it.

Home schooling leaves out so much, it seems to me. I know this, if I were still a kid I would miss what I was missing. A lot.
U Underground100+ posts
"School, like the world, can be great. Sometimes, like the world, it is not. By and large, though, for most kids in America public school provides an enduring, valuable and lifelong base. In the end, it largely is what family makes of it.

Home schooling leaves out so much, it seems to me. I know this, if I were still a kid I would miss what I was missing. A lot."

There's always a good and bad to everything. In homeschool you can't socialize as much as others, but you can learn an awful lot more than others. Junior Bandito should be thankful to have good parents/teachers and friends to stay out with at night. I went to both public and home high and I didn't have either. Around here, there isn't much good to anything/anyone, rough area. I missed out on an awful lot compared to people who grew up in a friendlier non-welfare setting. I wanted to leave High School with the feeling that I never wanted to leave high school, so I could tell people I did this and that and had a blast and lots of friends, but that never happened. I thought I would have friends cause I was so easy-going, talkative, outgoing, and very friendly. It's ironic, but that's the reason why I never had any friends. I didn't want to tell anyone that I spent every Saturday puking my guts out, so I never made any friends. So when I homeschooled, I didn't miss much. Jr. Bandito sounds like he's having fun, and if he doesn't want to leave homeschool, keep him there. "If they had to switch schools, they would be upset, which is as it should be." I went to 2 public highschools, and 1 year homing, and I didn't like any of them. I have no memories. The 1st week of Grade 9 I was so excited. Friends, girlfriends, movies, parties, sports. The end of the 1st semester, none of that, I didn't want to go back. I was so glad to graduate and go to college where everyone doesn't pick fights.
I think everyone's high school testimony should be like this: http://www.lyricstime.com/lyrics/54221.html
rather than: http://www.thesonglyrics.com/s_song_lyrics/simpleplan_lyric3.html

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference"
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