Which is Better in Missouri? Homeschool or Public School?

It's a question that more and more parents in Missouri are asking. Which is better? Homeschooling your kids or having them attend public school? The answer you decide on will vary greatly depending on what your priorities are.

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A big disclaimer to start. I think Missouri public school teachers are underappreciated and do a great job. This question (for me anyway) has nothing to do with whether or not they are great educators. But, this is a question my wife and I dealt with and we came to a conclusion that I'll share in a little bit. First, let's talk about the differences between schooling at home or in the public arena.

There's an interesting conversation about this topic raging on Reddit and everyone's opinions vary wildly on the pro's and con's. Here are some observations from my own experiences.

I went to public school and some of my lifelong friendships were formed with those I went to school with. It likely helped me develop socially (although perhaps my radio show is proof it didn't). I had great teachers in the Hannibal, Missouri school system and only a couple that I didn't really get along with, but that's likely my fault. (Editor's Note: absolutely your fault)

Those in favor of homeschooling make the case that the student-to-teacher ratio is always less when you're educating at home allowing for much more individual attention. There's also the issue of a Missouri family choosing to include aspects of their faith in their kids education that can't be done in a public school forum.

Full disclosure: My wife and I decided a few years ago to remove our kids from public school and educate them at home and we've seen each of them begin to really excel in their areas of interest. My wife can give them special attention that a public school teacher would not be able to provide. That's not their fault. They simply have too many students to attend to.

We can also attest to the fact that our kids used to bring home sicknesses from school and not one of them has been ill at all since we removed them from public school. That's not a minor issue.

It's not all sunshine and roses though. We realize they don't have as many friends as they would have if they were in public school, but there are all socially very healthy and we're satisfied with everything so far.

My point is there's no one right answer for a Missouri parent. It will depend on their family priorities and abilities, too. My wife is a meteorologist who also happens to be a stay-at-home mom and has the time to devote to teaching. Not everyone can or wants to. It's an important issue and the numbers show more and more are educating their kids at home for a variety of reasons. Whether this is the right decision for you and your family depends on...you.