Presenting 2025 Homeschool Graduate Addison Mitsamphanhis
Addison Mitsamphanhis a HomeLife Academy student and has been homeschooled for 11 years. Although Addison is originally from Tennessee, he spent the majority of his home school years abroad while living in Thailand.Addison shared what it was like to homeschool, and several benefits, which included him touring as a musician.
BENEFITS: I appreciated being able to learn at my own pace. When I understood a subject quickly, I was able to move ahead without waiting. And when something was challenging, I was able to take my time, slow down, and really work through it.
Homeschooling gave me the flexibility to learn beyond the walls of a classroom. It opened up opportunities for real-world experiences and allowed me to meet and learn from people with different backgrounds, not just those in a single school community.
I have been able to make time to pursue music while being homeschooled. I can do internships throughout the year as well as being on tour in different provinces and countries while studying at the same time.
Homeschooling encourages self-motivation and responsibility. Without the structure of a traditional school, I learned how to manage my own time, set goals, and stay accountable. It allowed for a more personalized education, where I could dive deep into subjects that supported my interests and learn in a way that matched my lifestyle.
CHALLENGES: I would say that the early years were the most difficult, being only seven years old when I started. It was hard to adjust to the new routine. As I grew older, I began to embrace being homeschooled and the many benefits that come with learning outside of a classroom.
FAVORITE MEMORY: It’s hard to choose just one, but a memory that immediately comes to mind is when I was doing a project on the effect of slash and burn field fires to the environment and community. While working on the project, a fire erupted across the street from where I was. I saw this as a great opportunity to learn first-hand from the people fighting the fire. My dad and I ran across the street to the fire truck and asked the firefighter if we could join him and interview him. He allowed us into the firetruck, and I was able to ask him questions for my project and experience the work that goes into helping protect the community from those field fires.
TIPS FOR STUDENTS: My tip is to learn about your environment. Learn what works for you, and how to balance your studies with your social life.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: I would say that home school parents should help in putting their kid in the environment which suits them. If you notice your kid is struggling to grasp concepts or is having a hard time learning on his own, maybe, they need a group to study with. Like a plant, a student will grow better if they are in the right environment.
I think homeschooling is a wonderful option, especially for highly creative students. It encourages them to explore beyond confined boundaries and allows them to pursue their genuine passions. If you have concerns about a lack of social life for the kid, I will argue that. In my experience, I have met, made friends with, and connected with many people from diverse backgrounds that I wouldn’t have known if I attended a school with a group of classmates that I saw every day.
FUTURE: After high school I plan on pursuing sound engineering. I also hope to continue performing live and touring as a musician.
Congratulations to Addison, who is participating in the Homeschool Roster Homeschool Graduation 2025!
Read about other Homeschool Graduation 2025 students.
