I am a certified teacher. I Believe that, in general, homeschooling is a great option if the parents have the time and energy to invest. As for socialization, in no other epoch of life are people sectioned off according to age and ability. It is the school social setting that is unnatural. Children learn best from adults and need each other, too. Proper peer contact is one aspect of the good home-school environment. Home schooling is an investment that only the time-rich can afford. It is more cost efficient to teach kids 25 at a time. That is the principle benefit of formal elementary schools.