The Thomas sisters from Dubai are high-achieving students who were homeschooled by their parents. Dorothy Thomas recently received the Richard J. Estes global citizenship award from the University of Pennsylvania, where she completed her masters in non-profit leadership with a perfect GPA. Dorothy credits homeschooling for setting her up for success, as it provided the flexibility to pursue various interests and build discipline.
Dorothy’s elder sister Stefanie Danielle has two bachelor degrees and a master’s degree from Ivy League universities, while their youngest sister Darianne is excelling in her Bachelor’s program. Homeschooling was a conscious decision by their parents, who felt traditional schooling lacked qualified teachers and did not cater to their children’s individual needs. The family followed a tailored curriculum, completed annual exam papers, and took the SAT exam to prepare for higher education in the United States.
The Thomas sisters began homeschooling at a young age, allowing them to explore their talents and hobbies, including art, horse-riding, and sports. They also traveled extensively to learn about different cultures. Their mother, Rekha Thomas, created personalized timetables to accommodate their diverse interests and academic pursuits. Despite stereotypes about homeschooled students, Darianne emphasizes that they were actively engaged in various activities and interacted with students of different ages and cultures.
The Thomas sisters’ success demonstrates the benefits of homeschooling in providing a tailored education and fostering a well-rounded approach to learning. Their achievements in academia, awards, and extracurricular activities showcase the effectiveness of homeschooling in preparing students for higher education and personal growth. The Thomas family’s decision to homeschool their children has proven to be a rewarding and successful choice, allowing the sisters to excel academically and develop a wide range of skills and interests. Through their journey, they have become role models for other homeschooling families and students.