Unschooling To University: Relationships matter most in a world crammed with content

School is one option to get an education; homeschooling is the second and unschooling is the third. Many parents are frustrated by the school system, due to bullying, or because their children are not reaching potential. The rigid government-prescribed curriculum whether delivered in a school or online, is largely irrelevant and outdated, and the courses are not engaging. Disengaged learners in our assembly-line model of school tend to tune-out, act-out or drop-out. Education must change and unschooling is the fastest growing alternative method of learning. Two decades ago, students were forced to register with their neighborhood school, government department and country, based on their house address. Now with the internet, today's students are borderless. Learning can occur anywhere, anytime, any method, any content, and from any expert, including self-taught. Self-directing their education, students learn through play, volunteer work, jobs, mentorships, sports, projects, travel and even (gasp!) playing video games. This book follows the path of 30 unschooled children who self-directed all or part of their education and were accepted and/or graduated universities, colleges and post-secondary schools. What children need most is close relationships with adults such as parents, teachers, grandparents, coaches, mentors, and siblings within a wider community, not just an institutional school. Educational content is everywhere. Caring relationships are not. When families embrace unschooling, they no longer have to choose between a quality education and a relaxed family lifestyle. Now they can have both.