Homeschooling: Pressure for Young Althletes?

Recently I was interviewed by sports Psychologist, Dr. Patrick Cohn and Lisa Cohn on the topic of the pressures of homeschooling. Many athletes who participate in competitive sports that take them to a national level make the decision to take their education outside of the brick and mortar school in order to pursue their personal goals whether it be on a motorcycle, snowboard, or horse track. Since On Track has provided young aspiring athletes with a private school education that can go with them wherever their passion takes them, I was happy to address this topic.


Let me first say that initially when motocross took my husband and our son to Texas for a national when he was only in 5th grade, I was naive to the fact that motocross would also be taking our family unit back and forth across the USA for the next 9 years. Being a teacher for over twenty years at that time, homeschooling was something I had mixed feelings about. Ten years later, I am very satisfied with our decision to home school our children and we made the world our classroom wherever we traveled.


As for the pressure on students who are given the privilege to attain a private school education in order to follow their personal goals, I feet that these students are relieved to be able to work independently as they travel to their competitions, training facilities, and are more organized and successful in general. The pressure of failing due to absences in a sport that is year round and the lack of understanding from most public schools regarding amateur motocross, disables most students from staying in a school and training to their fullest. Our student and parent testimonials can attest to this.


Pressure does exist, however, I feel that the pressure of home schooling falls on the parents. In order for an educational program to be successful it is my theory that a team approach to reaching goals is essential for student success. It can make or break the experience. As with anything in life worth attaining hard work is required by all, with homeschooling that means students, parents, and a team of dedicated teachers to help support the process!

To learn more about On Track School, call 888-325-0879 and click here.


To listen to our interview on March 30, 2011 click here.