Homeschoolers Win National Spelling and Geography Bee

Evan O’Dorney won the 80th Scripps National Spelling Bee and Caitlin Snaring won the 19th National Geographic Bee.

Homeschoolers represent a much larger percentage in the the National Spelling Bee than the do in education choice.

Of the 286 students who will compete in the National Spelling Bee next week, 36 are home schooled. While only 3 percent of all students are homeschooled, they typically make up 10 to 15 percent of contestants in the national bee. And they love to win. Homeschoolers captured first, second and third place in 2000 and won in 2001. They’ve placed in the top 10 every year since. And this year, a favorite to win is Samir Patel, 13, who is home-schooled in Colleyville, Texas.

I have always found this phenomenon fascinating. Why is there such a large percentage of homeschoolers participating? From being a homeschool dad, I think it is really about the competition. Some kids just love to compete and this gives them a great opportunity to do so. Secondly, it also validates that home schooled kids are being taught very well outside of the government school monopoly.