Homeschooled, now 12 yr. old is sophomore in college

University of Memphis Magazine ^

[BeverlyG.]

I ran across this article in the recent Univ. of Memphis Alumni magazine about the same boy discussed in April here. It sounds like he is well rounded, happy, musical (violin), *and* very athletic: 3rd degree black belt in Karate, fencing, racquetball, etc. He also doesn't appear from the photos to be exceptionally tall- he looks like he is 12.

The article is found at the following location: http://www.memphis.edu/magazine/v20i2/feat4.html

Perhaps early college for exceptional kids such as this young man is a good option. It also sounds like it could not have happened if he had not been homeschooled.

Just a thought.

[ICE-FLYER]

So far, two of our children are being home schooled. Our youngest in it was to start in Kindergarten this year. Had we stayed with the public school way of how his life should be he would be bored out of his mind as he sat through public school story time of "Heather has Two Mommies". He, instead, is already going into second grade, and our older son is much the same though in 4th this year.

Public school hates this and hates that they can not stop us and dumb down our children. We are their enemy and they have said as much.

Talk about blind and arrogant.

I'll stay with home school and all of its benefits, and if one person here can show me a real negative, I am still waiting to hear of one.

[w1andsodidwe]

Perhaps early college for exceptional kids such as this young man is a good option.

I think that early college entry is done to gratify the parents egos. It can have no benefit for the young person.

What in the world is the problem with letting a child be a child. Why rush adulthood.

I watched my own parents struggle with this issue twice with my older sister. Both times they refused to push my sister ahead of her peers. They felt that children have a right to their childhood. I think that is the correct take on it.

[Billy_bob_bob]

Oh, but there is a very real negative that comes with homeschooling. Your children will be MUCH less likely to be docile, blindly obedient servants of the New World Order. They might even do such troublesome things as think for themselves and ask bothersome questions of our "leaders". So, as you can see, from the point of view of those who presume to rule us your children are going to be severely disadvantaged.

However, for those of us who actually value liberty, you and your children give us hope for the future. Thank you and thanks to all of the other homeschoolers.

[BeverlyG.]

Did you read the article? It seems to contradict that idea. From what I read, especially about his spending time with his friends, he seems to have quite a normal childhood. The only difference seems to be *where* he goes to school. From the article: "Alex’s mother says he’s a “young man in a unique situation,” but defining him solely as a college student paints an incomplete picture. Life’s definitely not just textbooks and Bunsen burners. Alex’s extracurricular schedule is staggering at times. He has a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do, and he takes violin lessons. He likes racquetball, fencing, and going hiking and camping with his father. Alex’s social life includes maintaining friends whose ages and locations are quite varied. “Friends I have made in college are usually through my classes,” he says. “I don’t have as much opportunity to develop those friendships — that long drive home interferes quite a bit. I like walking between classes and greeting several friends I know, and catching up with how their classes are going this semester or sitting with them in class, sharing jokes. It makes the campus seem smaller and friendlier.” Then there are friends his own age. Some are strictly “long distance” PG friends from all over the country, but Alex keeps in touch through phone calls and occasional visits. “The last one in Texas was a blast!” he says. “Six guys, ages 11 to 13, and a huge pillow fight. We also sat up half the night and most of the next day having a marathon Magic: The Gathering card game. It was great.” Alex is able to see his friends in Jackson more frequently. They keep busy inside on the computer, and outside playing basketball or riding scooters and skateboards."

[w1andsodidwe]

My question is why is he going to college at 12. Because he wants to or because his parents want him to?

I just don't see the point of sending a 12 year old to college.

[Clara Lou]

I second your post. Because a child has a high IQ doesn't make him ready to deal with an adult world. My additional comment, a rather obvious fact, is that home-schooling isn't responsible for the fact that the child was born with an exceedingly high IQ.

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[EdReform]

Homeschool Bump

[BeverlyG.]

No, homeschooling is not responsible for an incredibly high IQ, but it does allow profoundly gifted children to learn at their own speed- incredibly fast.

[On the Road to Serfdom]

I just don't see the point of sending a 12 year old to college.

The exact same reason for sending an 18 year old to college. I read the article and saw no evidince of parents pushing him too hard. Perhaps they are just "guilty" of failing to hold him back and keep him dumbed so as to make our society more equal.

[BeverlyG.]

But,...based on what I read in the article, he *does* seem *very* well adjusted in college. He doesn't seem to be having any problems, especially when you read what the professors said about him in the classes.

[w1andsodidwe]

Perhaps they are just "guilty" of failing to hold him back and keep him dumbed so as to make our society more equal.

I just don't think that a twelve year old belongs in a college environment. The college experience is just not going to class and getting good grades. It is so much more than that.

That said, please do not think that I am against home schooling. I do support it. I just don't support pushing children ahead of their peers inappropriately.

[firewalk]

Homeschool bump!

[joathome]

I agree. I homeschool my children, and see no reason to rush children. I really hate it when homeschooling is presented as a way to rush children through life. In fact, I homeschool so my children aren't rushed through life. There are many ways to enrich a gifted child's life without putting him in college. I'd at least wait until my children were sixteen.

Obviously, these parents are doing what they think is best for their son, but there are other views in the homeschooling community.

[Conservative til I die]

Condoleezza Rice entered college at 15.

[knak]

Maybe the kid likes it!!!! Nobody said he has to go out and get a job did they? My son would be bored to tears in public school. He just started his kindergarten last year, now he is going into second grade. His math and reading skills are exceptional. Why should he have to sit and learn "A is for Apple" when he has known that stuff since he was 2?

If they are ready let them learn!