…If they have the money to part with, that is.
Valorie Delp recently wrote about The Cost of Homeschooling, where she detailed where homeschooling costs tend to come from. The people who commented on this blog post seemed to agree with her costs and felt they spent about the same amount. Today I am addressing frugal homeschooling, median cost homeschooling, and high-end homeschooling in a three part series. It is time to talk about high-end homeschooling.
In homeschooling, money does not necessarily buy a superior education. It purchases a convenience, and ease. As my children move from upper elementary, to middle and high school homeschooling, I am watching my homeschooling budget (for next year) cut into my ‘extras’ budget. While I could choose to continue to spend moderately for my kid’s education, as they get older, I have decided to start edging them out into the world, while creating a little less brain drain on myself. We are increasing outside classes.
While the program I have chosen for my children equates to an expensive education, there is no reason that frugal parents of middle and high school parents need to worry, there are still less expensive alternatives like co-ops and online programs. For us, however, we decided that we like, and can afford this program, so we are going for it.
My intention here is not to brag that I am putting my homeschoolers into an expensive program. I am really not too crazy about the amount of money that it costs. (I wouldn’t mind having the money for vacations and clothing.) As one homeschooler recently stated, other homeschoolers were turned off because she spends so much. They feel she is being excessive. People may also feel that I am being excessive as well. However, as I said previously, I am purchasing convenience and ease. I am purchasing ease because frankly, my mind does not want to struggle with Algebra I, Algebra II, Calculus, Geometry, Chemistry, and more. While I will still be available to my kids to help with 20 + hours of ‘homework’ a week, I can hand them over to “experts” in these areas. I am purchasing convenience because I do not have to drive all over the metro Atlanta area for these resources. This program has everything I need in one place, on one day.
Classes are not the only way a homeschooler may spend extravagantly. There are complete online curriculums, which can cost thousands a year. There are science and computer camps during the summer that cost a small fortune. There are professional sports coaches that will work with your child if you can pay them. It all depends on your priorities. For my family, the bulk of our money next year is going into academics.
The Cost? …On the low end of local private schools. If you want to know how much this approach would cost where you live, look for the cost of private schools in your area. With a one or two day program, it should be on the low end of your local price range.
Read Schools for Your Homeschooled Kids for similar, low end, and frugal alternatives.