SASKATOON — Homeschool advocate Codee Kyle downplays the common misconception that homeschooled kids lack social skills, saying parents in communities — both urban and rural — organize regular gatherings and field trips to give their children a needed break from their studies.
Another event where homeschooled kids interact is their annual Saskatchewan Home-Based Educators conference, held on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Elim Church on Slimmon Road, where those who are already involved in or interested in homeschooling gather.
She said that the idea that socialization does not happen with homeschooled kids is not true, since they are very socialized, citing that her three kids get together all the time, ranging from shared science activities and field trips to something as simple as swimming together at a local pool.
“A lot of people ask about socialization, and they see that maybe as a drawback to homeschooling, a lack of socialization, you're not in a classroom with your peers. However, you can look around. These kids see each other year after year. They build friendships that last,” said Kyle,
“The event that we are in right now, we have over 650 people registered this year alone. And a number of them, including 100 teams and children, are attending with their families. This is an opportunity for socialization.”
Kyle, who chose to homeschool their eldest, who is now in Grade 9, added that some rural families may face longer travel times to attend events. The representative emphasized that homeschooling is well established in cities like Saskatoon and Regina, as well as in smaller centres such as Weyburn.
“We see the connections that they make year after year. They take this back to their home communities. There are often smaller homeschool groups in a number of these communities that get together regularly and do educational activities,” added Kyle, who also has kids in Grades 7 and 5.
Focusing on their strengths.
Kyle said parents who choose to homeschool their kids have the freedom to shape their education around their kids' strengths in areas where they would thrive, not just what a curriculum prescribes. Home-based educators are still required to register their children with a local school division.
They also report on the progress in core subject areas — language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Beyond those requirements, however, parents have the flexibility in how learning happens and which resources they use.
That freedom is at the heart of SHBA's work, a parent-led organization that has spent more than three decades advocating for families who educate their children at home. And with over 600 attending the conference, it shows home-based education is an organized community.
“We’re not a school division, and we’re not run by the government. We exist to advocate for homeschoolers, to help families understand the rules, and to step in when parents need support communicating with school divisions,” Kyle said.
Flexible terms
There is also the flexibility in teaching their kids, which is precisely what draws many families to homeschooling. And unlike students in a regular school setting, where they receive transcripts needed for higher education, families work directly with post-secondary institutions to meet admission requirements.
Institutions such as the University of Saskatchewan and others across Canada have developed processes that recognize home-based education as legitimate preparation for post-secondary study, something that SHBE has spent years advocating with colleges and universities to clarify.
In many cases, students submit detailed learning records, portfolios, or take entrance exams, depending on the program, again downplaying the idea that homeschooling offers no clear path, rather a different one depending on where the student wants to go.”
“The whole idea is that we can teach our kids’ strengths and interests. Especially in high school, if a student already knows what they’re passionate about, we can lean into that while still making sure they have the basics they need,” said Kyle.
For some students, that might mean a stronger emphasis on advanced mathematics tied to a future career in engineering. For others, it could involve a deeper focus on biology, chemistry or physics, depending on post-secondary goals.
While parents enjoy significant freedom, they also carry the primary responsibility for day-to-day education, such as history and social issues, which can be taught with more room for context, discussion, and alternative perspectives than parents feel is possible in a standardized classroom.
“Home schooling lets us respond to who our kids actually are. It’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s education that grows with the student,” said Kyle, who added that homeschool parents remain accountable for their own children’s learning.
