Milo’s article is among a series of Q&A profiles that were completed in Ms. MacMillan’s journalism class.

Lilah Susemichel is a freshman at Fishers High School. She was homeschooled from 2nd to 5th grade and then attended a private school from 6th to 8th that only had two school days a week. This is her first year attending a public school that follows a traditional school calendar. Lilah says she is still adjusting to the change and, as a result, she doesn’t participate in any clubs or school sports. However, in her free time, she says she enjoys dancing. 

Milo: Who homeschooled you and how did they teach?  

Lilah: It was my mom, and she followed a curriculum through Book Shark, but she changed some of the content to be more interactive. She used to be a teacher before I was born, so she already had experience. 

Milo: What is the biggest difference you’ve noticed between that and coming to high school?  

Lilah: There’re so many more opportunities and you can meet so many more people. When I was homeschooled, I only had a few good friends, but now that I’m in high school, I have a bigger group of people that I get along with. 

Milo: How has the change affected you mentally?  

Lilah: I am more nervous and anxious, more than I was at home. There’s not a certain thing that I’m anxious about, just deadlines and tests and stuff. I’m constantly thinking about them.  

Milo: How did those work at home? 

Lilah: We had tests frequently, but my mom was always in the room with me so I could ask questions and stuff. And it was on paper, but we didn’t have finals or anything, it was just a test once a week. 

Milo: If you were to pick something that you missed most, what would it be and why?  

Lilah: Just spending time at home, getting to sleep in as long as I want, and taking a break whenever I need. But I like the environment here.  

Milo: What’s your favorite aspect of high school? 

Lilah: I know I’ve said this, but the amount of opportunities that there are, you can try so many different things and find out what you enjoy about it, and you don’t have to do the things that you don’t like. 

Milo: If you end up deciding to have kids, would you homeschool them or send them to a public school? 

Lilah: I think there’re benefits to both. I definitely missed out on some stuff when I was homeschooled, and if I could go back, I might be homeschooled for less time. I’d probably send them to school, but I would want it to be their decision as well. If they really hated school, then I would homeschool them.  

Milo: If you were to go back and decide, when you wanted to switch to the public school, how early do you think you would have done it?  

Lilah: Probably the start of middle school. Just so that I could have the transition into high school.