I taught as a full-time professor for 10 years prior to homeschooling full time and I found most homeschool students to be a strong addition to the classroom. While I don’t think college is ideal for everyone, that doesn’t mean college is ideal for no one. The junior and senior year of high school can be stressful as kids (and their families) prepare for the next step. Our oldest is already a college graduate so I am speaking from both sides of the aisle.

I have talked to you before about dual enrollment and the high school science sequence. Today is a little more amorphous. Teaching on a commuter campus I saw many young people miss out on the camaraderie and growth that dorm life can provide. If financially possible, going away to college is the best solution for almost every child. It doesn’t have to be far or expensive, but dorm life is a great stepping stone to independence. When I was contacted about Spartanburg Methodist College, I thought you might like to know more about them. I was compensated for my time, but all opinions are honest.

Have you heard of Spartanburg Methodist College?

Spartanburg Methodist College is a private, two-year residential college located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. One of the only colleges of its kind, SMC offers a liberal arts education exclusively for freshmen and sophomore students in a Christian-centered environment. SMC is open to students of all religious and nonreligious backgrounds. The college serves 800 students in a small, supportive community focused on helping students successfully transition from high school to college.

Spartanburg is located within an hour’s drive of Charlotte, North Carolina, and is within a three-hour drive of Atlanta, Georgia; and Charleston, South Carolina.

Students who attend SMC for two years and complete all requirements earn an Associate Degree. This degree can be valuable for students who plan to complete a four-year degree because it shows employers and college admissions offices that the student is capable of college-level work. All SMC Associate Degrees are designed to transfer easily to other colleges and universities. Most SMC transfer students enter other colleges as juniors.

To make applying to college more affordable for homeschool families, they even waive the application fee (use code: homeschool). Want to know more? Request additional information be sent directly to you.

If your student is considering college, here’s why SMC could be the right place to start:

Small, supportive campus environment. Homeschool students thrive in small classes and enjoy personal attention from professors who are invested in helping them succeed. SMC prides itself on low student-teacher ratios.
Professors serve as student academic advisors. Your child will work directly with a professor to plan their courses and ensure they are on track to meet their goals. They won’t be left on their own to sink or swim. The first two years of college courses will allow your student to explore their interests and then identify the right college to finish their degree.
Transfer assistance to colleges and universities. 1/3 of all college students transfer to another institution before graduating. Most colleges don’t help their students leave to attend another school. SMC is different. The faculty and staff are focused on assisting your student with transferring to the right college to complete their degree.
Earn a degree in two years. We know that homeschool students are typically better prepared for college than their peers. SMC students who stay for two years and meet the requirements will earn an associate degree. If a financial, emotional or family crisis puts your child’s education on hold, they will still have a college degree to fall back on. A recent employment study showed that workers with associate degrees earned as much as $500,000 more over the course of their career than workers with only a high school diploma.
A Christian-centered education. SMC is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, but we welcome students from all religious and non-religious backgrounds. Chapel services are held weekly (but are not required) and there are a variety of religious activities, clubs, and organizations that will help your student stay close to or grow in their faith while at SMC.