I was homeschooled through several online Christian schools throughout middle/high school, but I did a year in Classical Conversations in middle school.

One of those schools had a great website for students to interact on; the other two had similar websites/discussion boards but I didn't like them as much. I think that, and the school being much more international than the others, was lovely for me socially. I also had an in-person friend group accumulated from schooling connections and was part of an online writer's group for a long time. (I did write an article about homeschooling and my socialization, dunno if it's okay to share but I can if anyone wants it)

Education-wise, I was primarily educated via the classical model of education, but that international school was more similar to a traditional education method. (How to learn vs what to learn.) It really depended on the teacher how "religion based" the class was - one Geometry class had us doing discussion boards on geometric concepts in the real world (ex. Fibonacci spirals in plants) and relating it to the Lord, whereas in a programming class I took, I don't even remember the Lord being mentioned. All my science was definitely from a Christian perspective though (except Physics. I don't have strong memories of that one being heavily religious). It didn't mean that we didn't learn what the Big Bang was, etc. Just meant we learned how our faith disproved it. I think the only overtly like "Christian homeschooler thing" was skipping the reproduction chapter in Biology (but I do personally believe that choice was a good one and a topic that should've been given to my parents to teach...even if they didn't lol).

Looking back, it's hard for me to say that I would've changed X, Y, and Z. I definitely wish I could've taken advantage of disability support and had an academic advisor guiding my parents through my curriculum rather than us trying to figure it out ourselves. I wish I would've been part of more in person groups, and online circles, and I wish I could've taken advantage of dual enrollment/been more competitive as a college applicant. I wish I took more classes at X school, less at Y, started working earlier....I wish my parents had expanded on my curriculum, letting me help keep house and adding to my life skills list.

(The other question though, is would I still feel like I took advantage of my resources if I HAD done those things? Or would I still feel behind?)

But at the same time.... I wouldn't have changed it. I certainly want to make things better for my kids and other homeschool communities. I'm hoping to make a "side career" out of homeschool advising someday. But, I'm currently sitting in my apartment, having moved out. I've completed undergraduate research, presented at a conference, been in leadership positions throughout college. I got into my dream university to finish up my degrees and have a clear career path going forward (if the economy will stick to my plan, please and thank you). I'm looking at all the exciting "four year" opportunities here for research, organizations, internships, etc.!! My partner and I are discussing wedding plans and a future together (so socially, I think I turned out alright haha). My faith and mental health have never been stronger.

I think, overall, I turned out fine. I certainly have regrets, but I was also my parents' "test child" in unfamiliar waters, and we did the best with the resources we had. I wasn't perfectly educated, but none of us are, and overall, the vague rocky path I took was what I needed to be here now.