But What About Socialization?
“But what about socialization?” Read how new PacPrep families discover that learning at home does not come at the expense of their children’s peer relationships.
“But what about socialization?” This is the number one question families ask when they are considering leaving the traditional classroom for the customized, 1:1 education we offer at PacPrep. As a society over time, we’ve come to believe and accept that learning is best done in groups. However, if the pandemic exposed anything about the status quo, it was that this does not have to be true. And it’s decidedly not true for many, many students. The reasons a 1:1 education is a better fit for a student are vast and diverse. It could be that a nimble, flexible schedule would allow a serious athlete or traveling family to pursue rigorous, high-quality academics while accommodating their lifestyle. A student in a mental health crisis or transitioning from residential treatment could ease their way back into academics while protecting their fragile equilibrium. A twice-exceptional student whose previous schools have missed the mark in supporting their unique gifts and challenges could find the perfect match in teachers, curriculum, and approach.
Whatever the reason, when families find us they often say, “Finally. You are who we’ve been searching for!” But, there is often a lingering concern about how to engage their kids in social relationships when that is no longer built into their school day. Parents are now responsible for helping their children engage with peers as they transition to learning at home. The good news is, homeschooling has been around for a very long time, and with the emergence of vast social networks online, there is little reason to worry. Just like the diversity in our student body, there are a variety of ways to connect with other families.
Parents are relieved to learn how comprehensive resources are organized and shared within local communities across the nation. Homeschool associations at the state level offer a starting point, often listing more localized groups on their websites. The Homeschool Association of California, for example, staffs a 1-800 number with volunteer homeschool parents to answer questions. They host an exhaustive list of local groups throughout the state and even organize an annual conference for families. While full-time PacPrep families may not need curriculum resources, these local networks include many opportunities for engagement and socialization.
One veteran homeschool mom described traditional school settings as an artificial and arbitrary collection of a child’s peers. They are placed together simply because of similar age and geography, not because of an aligned interest, maturity level, or personality match. By separating academics from social needs, kids are able to truly find their people. Families can still pursue activities that expose their students to diverse groups, as is crucial in learning how to interact with a diverse world. However, families are free to build their children’s social networks themselves, offering an ideal level of agency. They now have the flexibility in their day to enroll in a ninja class, an outdoor education program, or join a Dungeons and Dragons group like those offered at Young Scholars Academy, one of PacPrep’s trusted partners.
As part of our holistic approach at PacPrep, one of my roles in outreach is to help our families connect with their local networks and opportunities for socialization. As a parent of three school-aged children myself, I understand the leap of faith our families often take in leaving the traditional classroom for our customized, 1:1 approach and learning at home. Feel free to reach out to me anytime: cory@pacificpreparatory.com