{"id":1016,"date":"2023-01-27T15:15:09","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T22:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeschoolallstars.com\/?p=1016"},"modified":"2023-04-27T12:49:02","modified_gmt":"2023-04-27T18:49:02","slug":"how-many-hours-a-day-should-a-high-schooler-spend-on-home-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeschoolallstars.com\/how-many-hours-a-day-should-a-high-schooler-spend-on-home-school\/","title":{"rendered":"How Many Hours a Day Should a High Schooler Spend on Home School?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When comparing public school students with homeschooled children, it can be easy for parents to wonder if they are doing enough for their child\u2019s education – especially in high school, when they start thinking about the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many high school homeschoolers spend as little as 2 to 3 hours learning on school days, although some students may need as many as 8 hours per school day. The right answer will differ based on the student, family, and state requirements.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how long does a high schooler need to spend on homeschooling each day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Long Should Homeschooling Take Each Day for a High School Student?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A homeschooled high schooler needs to spend enough time studying each day to learn the subjects required by their local homeschool laws. Depending on the student and the state’s specifications, the exact time this takes could range between 2 to 8 hours.\u00a0Time can vary each week as things change. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every state has different standards for what should be included in a high school curriculum. For example, Texas includes state history and government as required subjects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, if the student plans to take the SAT (and\/or ACT) or apply to a specific college, this will affect the subjects they need to study and the amount of time they spend.\u00a0Once the SAT (and\/or ACT) is done, a student may not need to do as much schoolwork or study time and can have fewer hours spent each day during homeschooling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students\u2019 goals and interests are important in figuring out the daily school schedule.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A student who plans on attending medical school will need to take science classes all four years of high school, while other students might opt out of science for their senior year and focus more on other subjects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individual personalities and learning styles also come into play<\/strong> in deciding how many hours to spend at school. Students with limited attention spans might do better with a couple of hours of school six days a week instead of five jam-packed days followed by a full weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The great thing about homeschooling is that it is flexible and customizable within the boundaries of state guidelines. There is the freedom to experiment and figure out what works best for a particular student.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are 2 Hours of Homeschooling Enough For A High School Student?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some high school homeschool students may be able to complete their homeschooling in as little as 2 hours per day, though they may need some longer days. A homeschooled high schooler should spend as much time on their schooling as is needed to complete it proficiently, within reason.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since public school days are generally between 6 and 7 hours long, it might seem like homeschoolers also have to spend this much time each day. However, homeschooling\u2019s unique format means a shorter amount of time. Even as little as 2 hours can be enough.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time spent at public school is used on transitions between classes, classroom management, and other non-educational activities that are unnecessary for homeschooling. In addition, public schools have to teach all students at the same pace.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, a gifted homeschooler who learns material quickly does not need to spend such a large amount of time on school. If they can get a handle on the state-required subjects in 2 hours a day, that is all the time they need for school.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This leaves homeschooled students room to join extracurricular activities, pursue hobbies, or take on a job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some students may be slower learners or genuinely enjoy school and want to spend more time studying. The correct answer to the amount of time spent on homeschooling daily is \u201chowever long the student needs.\u201d <\/strong>However, if a student spends an obscene amount of time each day studying, it may be worth looking into if they’re doing too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you know if you need to spend more time on school each day?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If it is proving difficult to cover the subjects your state requires for high schoolers in sufficient depth, or a student is struggling to understand the material, investing some more time in homeschooling each day is probably a wise choice. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, increased time on its own may not improve the quality or quantity of what students learn.<\/strong> Some good strategies to bolster the education of a struggling high schooler could include hiring a tutor, joining a dual-credit class at a community college, or participating in a co-op.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A student\u2019s challenges may be limited to a subject or chapter. In this case, the increased length of the school day would only need to last long enough to get them past this roadblock.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If parents are under too much stress in this situation, there is the wonderful option of hiring a tutor or teacher<\/a> for your homeschooled child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How do you know if you need to spend less time on school each day?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The advanced classes and heavy high school workload can be taxing for students. If the amount of time they spend on school harms their well-being, it is probably best to find a way to cut back.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excessive time spent in school could lead to sleep deprivation, social isolation, lack of exercise, stress-related health problems, and possibly even mental health issues like anxiety. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students can feel a lot of pressure to perform well academically, which can be complicated for homeschoolers since their parents are their primary educators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a student\u2019s school schedule seems to be harming their well-being, it may be necessary to get creative and find a way to reduce stress while still meeting state requirements. It\u2019s important to figure out what aspect of the school is overwhelming for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps it is not the amount of time spent that is the problem, but the number of subjects. A unit-study approach, delving deeply into single subjects for weeks at a time, could work well for students who struggle to multitask.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Time Should Be Spent on Each Subject in High School Homeschooling?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The subjects a student studies and the amount of time devoted to them depend on local homeschool regulations and the student\u2019s interests and future plans. Several hours a day might be needed for math, while history could take up just one hour a week. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some questions to ask when determining how long to spend on a subject:<\/p>\n\n\n\n