Home school advocates tend to think in terms of the 1800s or early 1900s subject matter. There is so much more to learning than study and tests. Hands on work is actually required.
The major “stall” to learning chemistry and other STEM subjects is ....***math***! Ditto for basic building, carpentry, and sewing skills. Government schools have proven to be completely sucky at teaching math.
Our community orchestras, choral groups, and string bands **welcome** young people. As for dance? Gymnastics? Karate? Blue Grass groups? Theater for elementary age kids? That’s completely private.
—My homeschooled kids entered college at the ages of 13, 12, and 13.
—They finished Calculus 3 at the age of15. Two earned B.S. degrees in **mathematics** by the age of 18.
—Two were tutoring college students in math when they were only 14.
—One was teaching math to college students at the age of 18 and earned a masters at 20.
—The other was a world class athlete and traveled the world representing the United States. He earned a masters in accounting at a typical age.
—All play a musical instrument and sing in choir.
—One plays the organ and piano for church services.
—All are accomplished ballroom dancers.
—One was a world class athlete.
—All married members of our church and continue to be highly active in the church and community volunteering groups.
—One is an Eagle Scout.
These are only a few of their accomplishments. And...As elementary and junior high age children they never spent more than 2 hours a day in formal homeschooling. They played! Gradually, their play became their teenage work. It was a fascinating process to watch.