The best style of homeschooling for you will depend on your learning preferences, goals, and schedule. One of the best parts about homeschooling is that you can personally design the education around what will allow you and your children to thrive!

The Homeschooling Network provides a unique opportunity for parents to truly customize their homeschool, by offering a one-stop-shop for a la carte individual courses, free resources, links to all-in-one curriculum programs, books, and the ability to search for co-ops and homeschool events near you. And better yet, if you end up designing your own course or other resources for your students, you can sell them or offer them for free to other homeschoolers right through the Homeschooling Network!

Popular styles of homeschooling include:

• Traditional: Traditional homeschooling usually involves a structured approach to education where parents follow a formal curriculum similar to what is taught in traditional schools. It often includes textbooks, lesson plans, grade levels, and regular assessments. Parents may choose to teach all subjects themselves or may use external resources like online courses or tutors. This method is popular among families who prefer a more conventional approach to education and want to ensure their child meets specific academic standards.
• Unschooling: Unschooling is a form of homeschooling where children have the freedom to learn through self-directed activities and experiences, rather than following a structured curriculum. Parents act more as facilitators, helping their children pursue their interests and passions to guide their learning. This approach allows children to learn at their own pace, focus on subjects that interest them, and discover knowledge through real-life experiences.
• Montessori: Montessori homeschooling is an approach to educating children at home that follows the philosophy and methods developed by Maria Montessori. It emphasizes independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural development. Montessori homeschooling typically involves creating a prepared environment with hands-on, child-directed learning materials and activities that promote self-discovery, creativity, and critical thinking skills. It encourages children to learn at their own pace and engage in purposeful, meaningful work that aligns with their individual interests and abilities.
• Faith-based: Faith-based homeschooling is homeschooling that reflects and extends a family’s religious beliefs and values into the academic curriculum. Families who choose faith-based homeschooling often integrate prayer, scriptures, religious studies, and teachings into their daily lessons to provide both academic and spiritual education for their children. This approach allows parents to pass on their faith and values to their children in a home-based educational setting.
• Charlotte Mason: Charlotte Mason homeschooling is a method of education that focuses on using living books, narration, nature study, and short lessons to cultivate a child’s love for learning. It emphasizes the idea of “education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life,” and encourages a curriculum that includes the arts, literature, history, and nature study. This approach values the development of good habits, character formation, and fostering a love of learning through real-life experiences.
• Online-based Programs: Online homeschooling, also known as virtual homeschooling, is a method of education in which students receive instruction and complete schoolwork online. This approach allows for more flexibility in scheduling, the ability to work at one’s own pace, and access to a wide range of educational resources and coursework. Students may interact with teachers and peers through virtual classrooms and communication tools for a more dynamic online learning environment.