The Ultimate Question: Homeschooling or "Normal" School?

I have experienced both homeschooling and public school, so I will try not to be biased. I was homeschooled all my life by my mom and started going to school for Grade 11. 
"Homeschooling" is when a student is taught at home under the guidance of a parent; public school is when a student is taught in a school building under the guidance of teachers.  Each side has its pros and cons, as it is with any debate but this one in particular has always been a heated one (second to Yanny or Laurel - I hear Yanny). Let's start with the pros. 

PROS

Homeschooling

1. student can study at their own pace (especially children who are gifted academically or socially or have learning disabilities or other forms of disabilities) 
2. flexibility of time (student can take time off when needed and catch up later)
3. vacationing is easy (can take time off to travel)
4. learning can be incorporated in fun things such as travel and count as schoolwork
5. working independently (learn time management)
6. more time for other activities (hobbies)
7. more time with family (closer family relations especially with siblings) 
8. cover more curriculum faster  
9. homework is incorporated in school hours (once school hours are done, its done) 

Public School

1. shy people are forced to interact and ask questions 
2. hone test taking skills 
3. discussion skills
4. learn how to work under time pressure 
5. organizational skills
6. learn about other ways of life (you interact with everybody)
7. independence from family members
8. appreciate other areas of life more (travelling, spending time with family, a home cooked meal) 

CONS 

Homeschooling

1. gives an opportunity for retreat (hiding from the world or unwanted social interaction)
2. lack of strict routine (can give way to time wasting)
3. sheltering (especially in religious circles, can become intolerant of other ways of life)
4. clique-ing is still there (if you are a part of a big homeschooled group and you attend activities, cliques will form and some kids will take it harder than others)
5. social awkwardness (depends on type of family, lifestyle and individual personality, but is a possibility) 
6. seeing generally fewer people in a day (mostly your family and close friends)

Public School

1. stress (fast-paced days can be stressful)
2. homework is an after school suffering
3. mean teachers (rare, but it happens)
4. cliques (as mentioned before, people bunch up a lot in school) 
5. gossips, bullies, and jerks (depends on the school)
6. group projects and presentations (shy peoples' nightmare but a good challenge) 
7. exams are extremely hyped up and can be mentally taxing 
8. early mornings (have to wake up early in the morning to get to school) 
9. takes out more time in the day

Both ways are very different and ideal in very different ways. If you're wondering which one to choose for your child, I would suggest analyzing your child to deduce what's best for them individually. For me, I was an "extrovert trapped in an introvert's body" and since I was homeschooled, I didn't have many opportunities where I was forced to socialize, especially less so having my older extroverted sister always there for me to lean on. I also was pretty unorganized and wasted lots of time procrastinating. Once I was sent to school, without my sister there, I was forced to socialize if I was to learn anything. Quite quickly I found that I always was an extrovert and was even able to talk to boys with considerable ease (something I could never do before). I also learned to manage my time and organize myself, otherwise I would get a bad grade for late or missing assignments. High school in specific is good, but I wouldn't say the same for primary schools. If you don't want your kid to come home swearing, homeschool them up until Grade 8 and send them to high school, at least then they will have some core values to hold on to. 

I really hoped this helped! What was your experience in either of these? Let me know and thanks for reading! x