Contact: Kelly Pedone, Home Educators Association of Virginia, 540-804-9200

RICHMOND, Va., May 23, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Some parents question whether a home education adequately prepares students for the challenge of college. But according to a study that compared students at one doctoral university, homeschooled students graduated college at a higher rate than their public- or private-schooled peers.

The study, Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students, by Michael Cogan of University of St. Thomas (2009), showed that homeschool students not only graduated at high rates – 66.7 percent compared to 57.5 percent of their peers – but they also outperformed other students along the way. Homeschool students earned an average 3.37 grade point average while private school students earned a 3.11 and public school students earned a 3.07 in their first fall semester.

With such results, it is no surprise that colleges and universities are stepping up efforts to recruit homeschool students to their campus.

More than 30 colleges and universities will be on hand in the college fair at this year's Virginia Homeschool Convention. The convention, hosted by Home Educators Association of Virginia, takes place June 9-11 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The college fair is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 10-11.

"The opportunity to learn how to learn and to become independent learners are two of the great benefits of home education -- they are skills that serve our children well once they enter college," says Anne Miller, HEAV president.

Participating colleges and universities include Christopher Newport University, James Madison University, Liberty University, Radford University, Sweet Briar College, United States Naval Academy, and Virginia Commonwealth University, among others. In addition, a college fair panel discussion will take place from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. to answer audience questions.

The Virginia Homeschool Convention is the second largest homeschool convention in the nation and the largest on the East Coast with nearly 14,000 participants last year. The convention takes place June 9-11 and offers support to thousands of families through more than 140 workshops on teaching, high school at home, special needs, healthy living, preschool, home management, college, finance, and more.

For more information and to register, please visit www.heav.org or call 804-278-9200.

Home Educators Association of Virginia equips and encourages homeschooling parents, and protects homeschooling freedoms in Virginia. HEAV, a statewide, member-supported, non-profit association, has served Virginia homeschool families through information, legislation, and resources for more than 30 years. Teaching children today. Bringing hope for tomorrow.