Celebrity Homeschoolers and Stars who Homeschool
Famous Homeschooling Celebrities and Homeschool Mom Stars
Oct 22, 2009
Stars who homeschool have the power to make homeschooling look like a fool's activity or to raise awareness about this form of education. Celebrity moms and dads, like it or not, are homeschooling and to top it off, there are several homeschooling kids who are making their mark on the world, becoming famous homeschoolers.
Celebrities who Homeschool
NASCAR racer Darrel Waltrip is a homeschooling celebrity. Darrel might not be a movie star or famous singer, but for Homeschoolers and racing fans, he's also an example of a celebrity who homeschools.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith have kept their children away from institutionalized education as well. Their children, Jaden and Willow, are homeschooled. The Smiths follow a classical education model and employ tutors. Jaden starred in The Pursuit of Happyness with his father.
Celebrity Lisa Whelchel of the 1980's TV series The Facts of Life, is a homeschooling mother and Christian women's ministry evangelist. She has even published a book designed to help families decide whether or not the should homeschool, entitled So You're Thinking About Homeschooling [Multnomah Books, 2005].
John Travolta and Kelly Preston are reportedly homeschoolers, although since the death of their disabled son Jett, no further mentions of their homeschooling have been made in the press.
According to the tabloids, Maddox Jolie-Pitt was being visited by tutors instead of attending school. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have not announced an intention to homeschool all of their kids. For many celebrities, homeschooling may be a matter of convenience and privacy. Their jet-setting lifestyle provides educational opportunities that other homeschoolers often dream of.
Famous Homeschooled Kids
Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon, Brisingr and Eldest, [Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2008] was homeschooled. He spent his time writing and reading and finished the first draft of Eragon when he was just 15.
The Jonas Brothers are also famous homeschoolers. Their parents kept them out of school so they could pursue their passions. Nick was an actor and singer, performing on Broadway at the age of 7, when a Christmas song her wrote for his father gained the attention of a Columbia Music producer. His brothers began writing songs with him and by September of 2004 the brothers had written almost an entire album. Much of their success comes from their affiliation with Disney.
Hanson is another boy band comprised of homeschooling brothers. Surely, spending time with siblings gives a family garage band plenty of time to practice.
Emily Williams of Dallas, Texas is a grown up unschooled Supermodel with The Campbell Agency and has worked runway fashion shows in the US and in Europe. Her photos are also used in print advertising.
Famous Homeschool Family Businesses
Wikipedia is a homeschool family business. The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, is a homeschooling dad. His family follows an accelerated curriculum.
Eli Gerzon started his own business as a teen, with the support of his family. An avid traveler, Eli leads "Unschooling tours." He's adopted the title "worldschooler" and it surely fits.
Stars who homeschool are probably here to stay. The flexible lifestyle afforded by homeschooling allows celebrities who homeschool to travel the world. Homeschooled kids find that it's easier to become famous when they're not tied to a daily classroom schedule.
References
Homeschooling Celebrities by Anne Zeise
Homeschooled Alumni Impressive and Growing by Theresa Willingham
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