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!

[joathome]

"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."

I also agree that children shouldn't be thrust in an environment clearly meant for older students, but my opinion doesn't have anything to do with "his peers". I just think that there are other ways to enrich a gifted student's life.

[w1andsodidwe]

Condoleezza Rice entered college at 15.

A 15 year old girl is far more mature than an 11 year old boy. Are you agreeing with me?

[B Knotts]

It used to be that a twelve year old boy was very nearly considered an adult. Through the government school system, we have not only dumbed down young people academically, but psychologically as well.

The definition of childhood keeps expanding; now, it's practically up to 25.

[dawn53]

The point is to keep the kid challenged and learning.

What would a high school do with a kid with a 180 IQ?

They have no courses to offer him.

He evidently lives at home and commutes, so he's not subjected to "college life" as we think of it.

[B Knotts]

It is so much more than that.

It doesn't have to be. My college education consisted of going to class, studying, and getting good grades. Period.

The drunken orgies are really not a crucial part of a college education. In fact, may I dare argue that they might be a negative influence?

[Conservative til I die]

I agree. I was just making a point that younger people can go to college and turn out OK. I had a friend I went to college with. She was a 16 year old sophomore herself. Brilliant though, a mathematics major.

[w1andsodidwe]

The drunken orgies are really not a crucial part of a college education. In fact, may I dare argue that they might be a negative influence?

It does take more maturity than may current college age students have to resist these negative influences.

I believe that the more life experience you have, the more able you are to resist influence of others, may it be the views of an ultra-liberial professor, or a fellow student urging you to drink.

I shudder to think of a 12 year old having to deal with this.

[BeverlyG.]

I believe that the more life experience you have, the more able you are to resist influence of others, may it be the views of an ultra-liberial professor, or a fellow student urging you to drink. I shudder to think of a 12 year old having to deal with this.

But, as pointed out by an dawn53's post, the student commutes to class and his mother is on campus with him. It doesn't seem that he would have any undue negative influences at college, as a result. It also appears that he has many friends his own age to play with at his home.

It seems like the best of both worlds for this fellow! Academic challenge and a full social life with friends his own age.

[ICE-FLYER]

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.

Yeah, LOL! I'm such a freedom loving bastard. Good, I hope it makes em sick to their one world ideological stomach. 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.

Thanks. I am like you in that I see the salvation of our political body as having been acheived by the minds of children whos parents were involved in their education to make them critical thinkers and exceptional citizens. This can be done even in the socialist utopian government schools, but more easily acheived at home or in private school.

All the best to you.

[Billy_bob_bob]

"I am like you in that I see the salvation of our political body as having been acheived by the minds of children whos parents were involved in their education to make them critical thinkers and exceptional citizens. This can be done even in the socialist utopian government schools, but more easily acheived at home or in private school."

Since I got to go to VERY leftist schools in California I got an extra heavy dose of Marxist indoctrination. It took over ten years of living in the real world before I finally wised up. The thing of it is that I am now so very hostile to public education that it's hard to put into words without quickly resorting to the very basest obscenities. Suffice it to say that every time I can vote against a school bond issue I do.

[w1andsodidwe]

But, as pointed out by an dawn53's post, the student commutes to class and his mother is on campus with him.

Then he is not really being allowed to have any real sort of college experience.

I know myself that my greatest personal growth occurred during my college years. I can guarantee it would not have happen if my mother was by my side.

So again, what is the purpose. Certainly not to prepare him for life. It is simple, so that everyone can brag that he went to college at such a young age.

If he was truly prepared for college life, it would not be necessary to have his mother by his side.

[Clara Lou]

College is a lot closer to the adult world than is it is to a 12 year-old's.

[Clara Lou]

Look, this is a site for adults. If you're not capable of common sense, why not try Yahooligans? I think it might be ideal for you.

[TxBec]

ah come on now OPH.. while 12 may be a bit young to be in college, if the kid can handle, what's the deal? He's being all he can be.. unlike the mother (whom I will not mention) that you were defending while she works in a certain profession (which I will not mention) and doesn't apply herself to loftier goals :)

[ICE-FLYER]

The thing of it is that I am now so very hostile to public education that it's hard to put into words without quickly resorting to the very basest obscenities. Suffice it to say that every time I can vote against a school bond issue I do

You and I would have a great day around a pool side as we eat freshly grilled Tenderloins and sipped our beers together because we are cut from the same cloth.

The schools rant and rave that they need more money. In the Police State of New York where I am currently imprisoned, they spend between 6 and 8 THOUSAND perstudent to raise them in ignorantnewwroldorder bliss. I do it for less than 800 for the two of my homeschooled kids and they are more level headed, advanced in math and reading and writing. Do the math and what do you get??? Embittered and hateful enemy like leftists who hate me for doing what they can not do, doing it for less and having a better product that is not a robot of thought and action.

[SuziQ]

My guess is that he has exhausted the possibilities of courses that his parents or local mentors could cover. He may have already completed all the requirements to finish high school. It sounds as though he's not LIVING on campus, just attending classes there. I agree a 12 yr. old cannot handle the dorm scene (and probably would not be allowed to live there anyway), but there's no reason he couldn't take classes if he's qualified. He may just be one of those intensely curious and focused kids that drive the typical middle school and high school teacher CRAZY, which made homeschool the perfect idea for him and allowed him to breeze through the middle and high school fare.

[Bush2000]

Grrrrrreat ... the only thing is ... he'll look back on his college years ... and probably regret ... that he didn't get laid.

[BeverlyG.]

It sounds like the reason they have him in college at his age is for educational reasons. His social life seems to revolve around his extra-curricular activities and his same-age friends at home.

[PatrioticAmerican]

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

To make that statement, are you assuming that college is an advanced education? I really do not think it is, anymore.