Olympic homeschoolers and homeschooled athletes are a great encouragement for your kids. Add these sports stars to your homeschooling studies, fun Olympic lesson plans, or a way to create your own Olympic games for kids activities.
OLYMPIC HOMESCHOOLERS AND HOMESCHOOL PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES
Summer olympics and winter olympics are always great learning opportunities for kids, especially if you have kids who love sports.
So, what better way to learn than to give them some inspiration from homeschool professional athletes?
Before we get to our sports homeschooler list, you may have arrived here looking to learn about the Olympics and add Olympic activities to your studies.
Start here with this reading list of Olympic books for kids.
History of the Olympics for Kids
The Story of the Olympic Games
The History of the Olympic Games: Faster, Higher, Stronger
The Treasures of the Olympic Games: An Interactive History of the Olympic Games
12 Famous Homeschooled Athletes with Homeschooling Journeys That May Surprise You
One of the things that I always find interesting anytime there are big sporting events is being surprised when I find out the famous homeschooled athletes.
It’s so cool because seeing athletes who were homeschooled is just another way to get the word out about what a great option homeschooling is for some families.
I mean, if you are a child athlete or have other specific special needs, homeschooling seems to be the way to go, right?
The flexibility of homeschooling allows you to fit schooling into your schedule between sports workouts and trainings and events.
(Makes sense to me. You?)
Check out these famous homeschooled athletes, some Olympic athletes and some that went on to play college or professional sports.
I think these successful homeschoolers may surprise your kids and may even be an inspiration for your learning.
Homeschooler Simone Biles, Gymnastics
You probably already know Simone Biles, the popular gymnast. She is know for her trailblazing moves, multiple medals and world titles, and is generally known as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).
She has been undefeated since 2013 and is looking at her next medals in the summer Tokyo Olympics. Simone was famously part of the “Final Five” women’s gymnastic team in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Biles was homeschooled starting in high school to meet her demanding athletic schedules. Even though she made the decision to homeschool (and wasn’t pushed to do so by her parents), she has publicly stated that she didn’t enjoy homeschooling because she felt like it didn’t meet the needs of her extroverted personality.
READ: The Story of Simone Biles: A Biography Book for New Readers
National Geographic Readers: Gymnastics
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Can you be homeschooled and still play sports?
Homeschooler Shaun White, Snowboarding
Even if you aren’t a huge snowboarding fan, chances are you’ve heard about Shaun White.
Shaun first started snowboarding at age 6. He was so good that just one short year later he already had sponsors!
(He’s also a skateboarder, FYI.)
So that he could focus on his training, Shaun completed independent courses at home through a public school (or schooling at home).
Shaun was born in San Diego, California.
READ: Shaun White (The World’s Greatest Athletes)
Homeschooler Serena Williams and Venus Williams, Tennis
Venus and Serena Williams were both homeschooled by their father, Richard Williams.
Because of their rigorous tennis practices and traveling to their events, they found homeschooling to be a better fit than traditional public school.
Today, they are both some of the most successful tennis champions ever.
They are fan favorites all over the world and also represent strong female heroes in our history!
READ: Who Are Venus and Serena Williams?
Serena Williams: A Kid’s Book About Mental Strength and Cultivating a Champion Mindset
Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams
Homeschooler Jamie Anderson, Snowboarding
Female snowboarder Jamie Anderson is from South Lake Tahoe, California.
She was homeschooled (along with her seven brothers and sisters).
Her mom has been very public about their homeschool unschooling style and famously said:
“I didn’t push my kids to read or write.
I wanted them to be like children, playing outside, running and jumping and not sitting inside at a desk.
They got to be free, building their bodies, protecting their spirits and minds, and not being pushed or pressured…
There wasn’t a big push for them to read and write and do arithmetic.
I wanted them to learn how to get along and let life be the teacher.
Character-building was more important than academics.”
READ: Snowboarding (Winter Sports)
Homeschooler Blake Griffin, Basketball
NBA basketball player Blake Griffin was homeschooled through seventh grade, and then attended public school after that.
Both Blake and his brother were homeschooled, and went on in high and college to successfully play basketball.
READ: Great Americans in Sports: Blake Griffin
Homeschooler Bode Miller, Alpine Ski Racer
Bode Miller won Olympic and World Championship gold medals, as well as a double World Cup Champion.
He is regarded in sports as the most successful men’s ski racer of all time.
Miller was homeschooled until third grade. After his parents divorced, he started attending public school.
READ: Bode: Go Fast, Be Good, Have Fun
Homeschooler Hailey Langland, Snowboarding
Snowboarder Hailey Langland was born in San Clemente, California.
Hailey was 5 years old when she started snowboarding and had a sponsor by the time she was 6 years old!
Langland went to public school until 9th grade, and then transitioned to homeschooling.
Homeschooler Michelle Kwan, Figure Skating
Michelle Kwan was an American figure skater who won Olympic medals, World championships, and U.S. championships in figure skating.
She started homeschooling in 8th grade, after having attending public school, to focus on her elite athletic schedule.
READ: Ice Skating: The Incredible Michelle Kwan
Homeschooler Arielle Gold, Snowboarding
WOW. Lots of snowboarding homeschoolers, huh?
Here’s another:
Arielle Gold is from Steamboat Springs, Colorado and started snowboarding at age 7.
She also has a brother (Taylor) who is a professional snowboarder.
Arielle attended a K12 online program at home in order to give her more time for training and also to make it easier when she traveled.
Homeschooler Nick Goepper, Freestyle Skiing
Nick Goepper was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
He started skiing at age 5.
Nick attended a ski school in Oregon, but supplemented his academics with an online school from home.
READ: What Are the Winter Olympics?
Homeschooler Tim Tebow, Football
Tim Tebow is probably one of the most famous homeschooled athletes because he is seen as paving the way for homeschoolers to play public school sports.
Tim Tebow was a Florida homeschooler who played public school football.
He actually has a law now named after him: The Tim Tebow Law.
Tebow went on to have a very successful career in both college football and the NFL
He is known for proudly taking a stand for his Christian beliefs, even while getting criticized for them.
Shaken: Young Reader’s Edition: Fighting to Stand Strong No Matter What Comes Your Way
