Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional learning in the last decade. According to the Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents, 1% to 2% of school-age children in North America are homeschooled. This estimates that 47,500 95,000 children in Canada are homeschooled. And 1 million to 2 million children are being homeschooled in The United States. Through the pandemic, we saw its popularity grow in leaps and bounds. Yet, homeschooling parents are still defending their choice to homeschool traditionally-minded people. With the high number of homeschooled children across North America, it is indeed no surprise that so many celebrities were homeschooled. Let’s discuss 20 Celebrities you probably didn’t know were homeschooled.
20 Celebrities you probably didn’t know were homeschooled.
Parents choose to homeschool for many different reasons. Some parents homeschool to avoid bullying at school or customize their child’s curriculum to match their needs better. Comparatively, some homeschool for more stability in response to school closures and the pandemic. At the same time, others choose to homeschool to help their child with their professional career.
There are so many different reasons to homeschool, yet homeschoolers still have a stigma attached. In comparison, I could share statistics with you and show you great numbers of all the homeschoolers that went to University and have outstanding careers. Sometimes it’s easier to see a familiar face. This is why we are checking out 20 celebrities you probably didn’t know were homeschooled.

#1 Selena Gomez
The next time you think that homeschoolers aren’t cool, think again! Because the amazing Selena Gomez is, in fact, an elite homeschooling alum. On Gomez’s best friend, Raquelle Stevens, podcast “Giving Back Generation.” Gomez opened up about her education. Saying that she did attend public school when she was young. However, she struggled to fit in. Which resulted in her trading public school for homeschooling. Doing so to focus on her blossoming career. And clearly, that worked out!

#2, #3 & #4 The Jonas Brothers
Yep, the Jonas Brothers were homeschooled! You probably know them as being tween/teen heartthrobs. But did you know that the brothers Nick, Joe and Kevin were all homeschooled? Their mom Denise homeschooled them from a very young age. For this reason, Denise shared in an interview that she would’ve homeschooled the Jonas Brothers regardless of their career in the entertainment business. Clearly, they enjoyed it as they even had cap-and-gown graduation ceremonies at home!

#5, Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato has shared that she was home-schooled due to extreme bullying. Consequently, at 12 years old, Lovato was forced to leave school. She shared that she hasn’t completely recovered from the bullying that she endured to this day. Lovato was homeschooled with her famous friend, Selena Gomez.

#6 and #7 Serena and Venus Williams
Their father, Richard Williams, home-schooled Serena and Venus. He placed great importance on allowing them to be little girls even though they were training for several hours a day. As a result, their family’s dedication to education and tennis paid off as both sisters became professional tennis players. Additionally, Serena has been named the greatest female tennis player. Serena and Venus shared that they were happy that their parents homeschooled them. Because without the freedom and flexibility that only homeschooling can bring, they wouldn’t have been able to master their unique gifts.

#8, Hilary Duff
She is best known for her role as Lizzie Maguire on the Disney channel. Additionally, Hilary Duff was also homeschooled. Duff was homeschooled by her mother from age eight. Throughout her teen years. As a result, Duff found massive success as an actress and singer. And remains in the spotlight to this day.

#9, Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber is number nine of the 20 celebrities you probably didn’t know were homeschooled. First, he was discovered on YouTube when he was just 12 years old. But before that, he had attended a public school in Canada. And when Bieber’s first hit appeared on the radio, he started homeschooling. In addition, Bieber continued to complete online courses while travelling the world and working on his career. He graduated high school in 2012.

#10 Bode Miller
Bode Miller remains the world’s most successful American Alpine Skier. With an Olympic gold medal, 33 World Cup wins, and four World Championship wins. He is undoubtedly, the most significant American Alpine Skier. Miller grew up in a log cabin on a 450-acre farm in New Hampshire. And his parents homeschooled him until third grade.

#11 Christina Aguilera
After she appeared as a child on Star Search and Disney’s The Mickey Mouse Club, she did return to public school. Unfortunately, her peers teased her constantly. So Christina’s parents let her be homeschooled in ninth grade. And following that, Christina finished high school. Then she wrote the familiar song “Reflection,” which you’ve probably heard on the Mulan soundtrack. As a result, RCA signed her; she released the first of many award-winning and chart-topping albums.

#12 Simone Biles
To focus her time on competitive gymnastics, Simone Biles began homeschooling at age 13. And she appears to have no regrets about being homeschooled. Her career could skyrocket because of the flexibility that she gained while homeschooling! You probably know her as the most decorated American gymnast in history as she has a combined total of 19 Olympic and World Championship medals.

#13 Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning starred in her first film at the young age of five. She has a great dedication to acting and education. Dakota’s mother homeschooled the young actress from grades 2 to 8. She graduated from a Los Angeles high school, where she was also a cheerleading squad member. Dakota later went to NYU and continues to act to this day.

#14 Bethany Hamilton
Bethany Hamilton is one of the world’s well-known surfers. She is also a major inspiration to people all over the world. At 13 years old, she was attacked by a tiger shark. This horrifying event resulted in the loss of her left arm. But she didn’t let that set her back. Two months later, Bethany found her way back to the water in Kauai, Hawaii, where she got back on the surfboard. She inspired people worldwide with her determination to continue surfing despite the circumstances. Bethany has shared that homeschooling has helped her stay motivated.

#15 Tim Tebow
Did you know that Tim Tebow isn’t just a famous football star? He’s also an advocate for homeschooling. Tim has never been afraid to share that he was homeschooled. And even though he was homeschooled, he still participated in sports like football through local public schools. And to make it even more incredible, Tim won the Heisman trophy during his sophomore year of college! He is the first homeschooler to do so!

#16 Emma Watson
You may know Emma Watson from her well-known role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films. As a result of her early stardom, Emma has lived in the spotlight since she was 10. Along with the other Potter actors, Emma worked with a tutor. She continued to homeschool even when she wasn’t working. Watson attended Brown University and Worcester College, Oxford, when she graduated from homeschool.

#17 Justin Timberlake
Everyone knows who Justin Timberlake is! Justin Timberlake grew up in a small town in Tennessee, where he attended public school. Everything changed when He was signed as a Mickey Mouse Club actor. With Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling, and other famous performers. He was homeschooled from sixth grade until he graduated from high school. This was he could better focus on his up-and-coming career.

#18 Misty Copeland
Do you love ballet? If you do, then you’re probably very familiar with Misty Copeland. In 2015, she became the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre. If you aren’t familiar with the American Ballet Theatre, it is one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the United States. Copeland lived with a family of dance coaches. In the tenth grade, Copeland began homeschooling to free up more time for dance training.

#19 Ryan Gosling
When Ryan Gosling was ten years old, he still could not read. He struggled in school and got in trouble often. And was also a victim of severe bullying. He was diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Even though Gosling’s mother was a single mom, she decided to pull him out of school to homeschool him. Two years later, he got a huge break! Signing a two-year contract starring on Disney’s The Mickey Mouse Club. One of the most successful actors in Hollywood, Ryan Gosling, has shared that homeschooling gave him a sense of autonomy that he has never lost.

#20 Thomas Edison
The world’s greatest inventor, Thomas Edison, was homeschooled. Thomas Edison was performing poorly in a traditional one-room schoolhouse. Sadly, his teachers gave him a poor assessment, saying his “brains were addled” (mentally slow). His mother, Nancy Elliot Edison, refused to accept his teacher’s assessment. And decided to homeschool him. His mother knew he had excellent capability from the things he was experimenting with around the house. Nancy Edison nurtured and gave him the essential tools to learn, encouraging him to approach learning with his head and hands.
Nancy Edison instilled four life-long pillars of learning in Thomas:
- Don’t be afraid to fail; keep trying, and learn from your mistakes.
- Read across all literature, not just what you like.
- It’s okay to work with your hands and learn from life. Not all important things come from books.
- Never stop learning, and continually work to improve yourself.
Thomas Edison acknowledged that his mother’s discipline for a focused life was greatly responsible for his success.
What we can learn from these successful homeschooled celebrities.
You will probably get negative comments as a homeschooling parent. So, we hope that you feel proud of your decision to do so by reading about these 20 celebrities you probably didn’t know were homeschooled. Whatever your reason for homeschooling, realize it’s the right reason for your family. Your family’s priorities are what should come first. Hold your ground and be proud of your choice to give your children the gift of a flexible education experience.
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