Famous Homeschoolers
Friday, September 1st, 2006By Mimi Rothschild
I am often shocked by the current mainstream perception of homeschooling, given recent studies proving homeschooled students’ aptitude far outranks that of traditional public school students. When I come across these dubious folks, I have fun namedropping the following historical greats:
Homeschoolers are well represented in the literary world. Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women and other lauded novels, was taught at home by her father, who was himself homeschooled. One of the most famous mystery writers of all time, Agatha Christie was educated at home as well. One of my favorite quotes about home education comes from legendary author Beatrix Potter, who said, “Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.”
The art world is also populated by famous homeschoolers. Ansel Adams, one of the greatest photographers of the twentieth century was pulled out of public school due to his unruly nature. He was known for interrupting lessons with giggling and open displays of disgust for his teachers. He was then pulled out of school and given a classical education at home. Andrew Wyeth, Claude Monet, and Leonardo da Vinci were all renowned homeschooled artists.
Two famous early presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams were both taught at home. The former was admitted to Harvard at age 15. The latter had been written off as a hopeless delinquent when his father, well aware of the benefits of home learning, arranged for his boys to be homeschooled from age twelve on. Other homeschooled presidents include Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and many more.
Alexander Graham Bell, Cyrus McCormick, and the Wright Brothers were famous homeschooled inventors. Thomas Edison entered school at age seven, but his teachers considered him to be a poor student, not realizing that his hearing problems were the root of his lagging performance. His mother chose to teach him at home him soon after.
There are hundreds more notable homeschoolers. Composers such as Irving Berlin and Wolfgang Mozart, generals like Stonewall Jackson and Douglas McArthur, and statesmen such as Patrick Henry and Winston Churchill were all products of home education.
Why is it that so many influential and innovative thinkers were homeschooled? I believe that the public school system encourages students to live by the status quo. It discourages thinking “outside the box.” Beliefs, behaviors, and thought patterns that lie outside the norm are squashed by unnecessary discipline, formulaic learning styles, and peer pressure. Homeschooling, on the other hand, nurtures an independent mind. Children are encouraged to follow their imaginations and dreams, rather than follow a rigid structure. Who knows, your child might just be the next Winston Churchill!