[metmom]

I left for work earlier than school, so I never saw the start of a school day, but my wife said they started around 9 and was don by by 12 or so.

Likewise for us. A couple hours were all that was needed to actually do the academics.

I've had teachers tell me that on a good day, 50% of the classroom time is wasted time, discipline, lining kids up, getting ready for the lesson, sharpening pencils, getting kids focused, etc. On a bad day, 90% is wasted time, only 10% is on actual learning.

So, homeschoolers are likely actually spending the same amount of time in actual instruction, but the kids aren't being forced to endure all the down time the other kids cause.

[APatientMan]

“A couple hours were all that was needed to actually do the academics.”

This is true for us, too. We supplement with other activities. Every Tuesday my wife and daughters spend a few hours at our local soup kitchen making and serving lunch, for example. The older folks and especially the Veterans love my daughters.