Can Homeschooled Children Participate in Sports?
The quick answer is yes; homeschoolers can participate in not only club sports but also public school sports in some states. Homeschooling has evolved into a wise, thoughtful, and strategic decision based on many factors.
While supporters of homeschoolers participation on public school sports teams argue that parents homeschool athletes pay taxes that fund the public schools and sports; much like the parents of public school non-homeschooled students, people against participation in public school sports is some sort of athletic privilege, and it is not a right.
This is very contradictory as all families pay taxes that fund schools and the sports programs. Folks against homeschool students playing sports in public schools say families have forfeited or given up the right of public education and, thus, the privilege of playing games in public schools should not be available.
Supporter again is that property taxes, state taxes, and local sales tax should give all families the access. This would make sense.
Homeschooling Athletes Survey
In the survey taken by the National Federation State High School Associations (NFHS) in 2013 said that 30 (NFHS) member state associations allow homeschooled student-athletes to play athletics at their local public school. This was a percentage increase from 2017 when only 24 states permitted student-athletes to participate in public school sports.
However, there are criteria that families and students must meet as many states require students to be enrolled at the public school part-time, taking a few classes, and the school district must approve each situation and its policy. So it is a little ambiguous. And, in almost all of these states, homeschooled student-athletes must meet the same academic standards as public school students.
Where Does A Homeschooler Go To Participate in Sports?
Local Dance Academy
If your homeschool athlete is interested in dance; your local dance academy is probably your best solution, most schools cannot provide the level of practice and professional support to compare.
AAU Team
The mission statement or goal of Amateur Athletic Union or better know as AAU is the provide programs through a volunteer-based for all people. Additionally, they focus on the physical, mental, and moral compass development of athletes to promote good sportsmanship and excellent citizenship. The AAU has become the #1 youth basketball development vehicle over all other entities, including public school sports. Most high school athletes focus on their AAU team versus their high school program.
Soccer Club Team
The most significant benefit of club soccer is the high level of competition and the diverse types of teams you face. Club soccer allows your child to be around like-minded athletes that are serious about sport and achievement. Most often, high school teams are not competitive enough to provide the athlete with a pleasant development curve. Getting on club steam allows your child the chance to challenge themselves against elite competition and challenging situations.
City Sports League
Each city has a sports recreation league that provides the opportunity to participate in sports at a relatively low cost. The city sports league is also a chance for you to coach or be an assistant coach. If you want to be involved in the athletic development of your child, youth sports allows you to coach and your child to participate. Additionally, city leagues include basketball, flag football, and other games like the city Volleyball League.
Private Tennis Instructor ( USTA Certified)
If your child is not yet a high schooler, most likely, you will need to train you, child, yourself, or hire a private instructor to help your child develop as a tennis player. Many middle schools do not have a tennis program or a physical education system that includes tennis, so this is another area where schools fall short.
Pop Warner
Pop Warner is one of the oldest youth sports football development programs. Pop Warner is also a cheer and dance program for young girls. Pop Warner is a contact football program, so take that into account. Kids do put on pads and learn the fundamentals of full-contact tackling and all aspects of football.
Flag Football League
Many cities now incorporate flag football. Flag football provides a safe development path for children and parents that desire to play football. I am an athlete that played Div 1 and pro football yet I did not play youth football my first time playing football was in high school. So contact football is not necessary for achievement in this sport, although more time in the game does help.
High School Football
Football is probably the only sport that you must take serious consideration and develop a sound strategy if your child wants to play football in high school and beyond. High school football, as it stands right now, is the only viable route for a top school-age football player to get exposure. So if you want to lay football, you must check in detail the state’s public school participation rules for homeschool athletes.
United States Track and Field
The USATF has an incredible youth track and field development program that has local, regional, state, and national competitions. The goal of the USATY development program is to teach dsici[line, excellence, and achievement by way of hard work THe USATF is a grassroots outreach effort to prepare the next generation of track athletes to become the future leaders, record holders, and champions with the sport of track and field and beyond. The beautiful part of the USATF is it outperforms of the public school arena and, in many ways, has higher visibility than most high school programs.
Why Should Parents Think About Homeschooling
The 2014 report from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education report I say 91 percent of parents say the top motivation for parents choosing to homeschool is concern about the academic, social environment of schools. Of those that are homeschool, about 29 percent of those are high schoolers. So it seems like parents get to a point where they have had enough.
Parents want to be more involved in the upbringing of children and additionally ensuring that children can compete in a global economy. Not only compete but thrive in this changing and challenging environment we live in. If you take the COVID-19 situation into account, you can see why parents want schools to step up in all areas. Not only in providing an elite education but providing a safe, mental, physical, and spiritual inspiring environment. I am not someone that hates the public school system but instead sees the dilemma they are.
Public schools are forced to meet everyone’s needs. These needs include those that may have learning disabilities, learners the state English as the second language, gifted students, some that are highly below average but not identified with a learning disability, and those that are where they should be. Additionally, schools must come up with the resources to provide arts, sports, standard actuality, and an inspiring environment.
It is tough. I most recently went through the teaching certification process and earned my teaching credential in California as a substitute teacher. My reason was It allowed me to give back in a meaningful way. Let me tell you my experience in the classroom was invaluable; students are yearning for someone to believe in them, set high expectations for life, and support them through failure.
During my time in the classroom, I experienced just as I stated above a variety of students with different challenges all in one class. Some students were comfortable staying on their phones the entire time; others talked as if education or authority didn’t matter. And others were challenged with other mental or emotional issues that made learning extremely difficult.