Well, I think I can offer an inside look. I am a college student in my 50s. While I have had students of all ages in my classes, if I had to give a breakdown of ages, I would say that (at least for me) in the average class of 35 students, there would be: 25 students who are around 19-23 y.o., 5 students b/t age 24-28; and 5 students age 29 and up, with probably only 1 or 2 students in their late 30s or over. Most really are in that first grouping, with another concentration in the middle grouping (24-28).
As for behavior, it is as individual as the kids. I’ve had kids not show up for class, come in hung over, and act like little babies, but there are lots of great kids - thoughtful and very focused.
The one point you made that I could wholeheartedly agree with is that you cannot tell the high school kids necessarily. I had a young man in my World Lit class last semester and I was shocked when I found out he was a junior in high school. A smart, cool kid all the way around. Of course, I can guarantee you the younger kids would definitely recognize a 13 year old.
some thirteen year old girls look 25.. BUT, I am guessing that perhaps the parents have a little bit of control with the dress, hair, makeup that might add “maturity”. Home schooled kids I have know are all the way around more conservative
Poor boys. Most 13 year old boys look VERY 13!
This girl doesn’t look 13 either.
A lot of it is how you present yourself. Even if she looks 16 but acts older, kids are just going to figure she looks young for her age.
My one daughter looks about 6 years younger than she is. There’s really nothing she can do about it.
My other daughter always looked about 4 years older than she is.
So, everyone thought the younger one was the older.
The self-confidence that most homeschoolers exhibit is what gives the impression of being older and is exactly what is going to keep others from trying to take advantage of them.
It isn’t just age that protects one socially, as much as self-confidence.