Millie Bobby Brown was homeschooled. Can int’l students do the same?

Homeschooling isn’t for everyone. Oftentimes, parents choose to put their children through homeschooling due to various circumstances which could include bullying in school, dissatisfaction with the school system, and special needs not being met, among others. 

However, those who have gone through the homeschooling system have often found it to be a transformative experience. This includes “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown, who was homeschooled for the majority of her teenage years. 

The circumstances of her homeschooling weren’t ideal — she was bullied, prompting her to explore alternative options. In fact, she recently shared that exploring a similar storyline in the new “Stranger Things” season was important to her.

“I think what’s really nice is that the Duffer Brothers [are] shining a light on what kids go through during high school,” she was quoted saying in reports. “It’s not an easy time, especially for young girls out there, struggling with their identity and who they are with the influences of everyone around them, their environments, the people, their families, and friends, trying to fit in.”

Still, homeschooling turned out to be the ideal option for Millie Bobby Brown. “I have been homeschooled for five years now and it has worked well for me,” she tweeted in 2017. 

At this point in time, the starlet had just wrapped filming for the second season of “Stranger Things”. Prior to that, she had been schooling in England before her family moved to Florida and then to Los Angeles. 

I have been homeschooled for 5 years now and ut has worked well for me. It is nice to have friends at a regular school. I recommend both! https://t.co/Pl0oR9ttvF

— Millie Bobby Brown (@Milliestopshate) July 18, 2017

Millie Bobby Brown: Homeschooling ‘worked well for me’

The traditional route into university is — and still remains — the high school system. The structured classrooms, extracurricular activities, peer socialisation, and more and just part and parcel of the journey which aims to prepare students for university life. 

In this sense, homeschooling might not seem like a viable option for students who want to follow this route. However, there are many ways homeschooling can prepare students for university life through rigorous academic preparation. They may also offer an experience local schools cannot match. 

For example, homeschooling allows students to gain an international education without the cost of attending an international school. A 2020 study found that an international education in Asia could cost up to 40,000 US dollars per year at the top end of the scale — making it only attainable for wealthy families. 

In this, homeschooling might be a viable alternative. More than that, this saves students some of the trouble that comes with relocating abroad for their education, from securing a visa to finding suitable accommodation. 

Homeschooling allowed Millie Bobby Brown (second from left) to pursue her acting career without sacrificing her education. Source: Cindy Ord/AFP

The benefits of homeschooling

Homeschooling offers many benefits, but perhaps the most impactful is the level of individualised attention received by its students. Of course, students who learn at home are not subject to busy classrooms, allowing them to fully focus on their teachers and the tasks on hand.

This has had overwhelmingly positive results: one study found, for example, that homeschooled children in the US scored 72 points higher than the national average on their SATs. 

There are other benefits to homeschooling: this includes more emotional freedom due to a lack of peer pressure, more flexible schedules for family members, and learning at one’s own pace. 

Having said that, there are many reasons why homeschooling might not be right for you, too.

A major criticism of homeschooling is that it tends to isolate students, thus preventing them from developing appropriate social skills.

In this, it’s a parent’s responsibility to ensure that their child remains socially connected. This can be done by signing their kids up for group activities, such as team sports or dance classes, depending on their children’s interests.

Millie Bobby Brown’s fellow “Stranger Things” co-star, Caleb McLaughlin, was also homeschooled. Source: Rachel Murray/AFP

Earning an American high school diploma from home

International students now have an abundance of options to choose from when it comes to homeschooling.

American, British, Australian, and schools from other popular countries are now offering curriculums tailored to their national systems — making it easier than ever for domestic students to continue their education abroad, or to obtain an international education. 

Should you want an American education, there are many avenues to pursue. The High School of America offers international students the option of enrolling in online classes for the duration of their high school period. These school programmes cover a range of educational subjects and courses, similar to attending an American high school in person. 

Students are given the time and space to complete their education according to their own schedules — an attractive option for those who may be pursuing other talents or hobbies. Millie Bobby Brown, for example, was able to balance her acting career alongside her education because of the flexibility provided by homeschooling. 

Once they have fulfilled the necessary requirements, international students can earn an accredited high school diploma with credits. These are accepted at universities and colleges all over the US — and, in some cases, around the world. 

Of course, there’s also the option to enrol in online diploma programmes at physical American high schools. Forest Trail Academy is one such school to offer this option. This way, students earn a high school diploma directly from the Academy itself rather than an online institution.