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New to or considering homeschooling?

Here is a quick guide to help you get started!

  1. What is homeschooling and why do it?
  2. Understanding the homeschooling laws in your state
  3. What style of homeschooling is best for you?
  4. Getting organized
  5. Socialization and support
  6. Record keeping
  7. Staying flexible
What is homeschooling and why do it?

Homeschooling is education that is directed by parents at home – or wherever you choose to be – rather than a public or private school education. Choice, flexibility and freedom of education are the biggest reasons why people homeschool, and a big reason why we started the Homeschooling Network – to make it easier to have both in your child’s education.

What are some of the other reasons people homeschool?

  • Homeschooling students perform better on average academically
  • Safety first
  • Less time over a desk and more time on life skills and physical activity
  • Better curriculum and learning experiences tailored to your child
  • Effective education for children with special needs
  • Children can learn at their own pace
  • You learn with your child
  • More quality time for your family
Understanding the homeschooling laws in your state

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states throughout the US, yay!

However, homeschooling laws vary by state, with each state having its own requirements and regulations. Depending on the state you are in, you may have no requirements, or you may have to comply with state laws including:

  • Notification of intent to homeschool
  • Curriculum regulations
  • Assessment/standardized testing
  • Record-keeping and attendance

We recommend doing plenty of research on your state’s requirements and laws before getting started. Great places to find this information include your state’s (or state’s department of education) official government website or a trustworthy homeschooling organization in your state.

Here is another great resource that offers detailed information about individual states homeschooling laws, provided by the Home School Legal Defense Association: HSLDA Homeschool Laws By State

What style of homeschooling is best for you?

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.
Getting Organized

Create a plan for your first year or semester. Don’t worry, you can always adjust or change things as you go, most people do! Getting a physical or digital homeschool planner is often helpful to organize your plan and what resources you will need for the year.

Browse Homeschool Planners in the Bookstore

It’s also recommended to decide where you will be homeschooling and how you will be physically storing your family’s learning materials to keep them organized. Your homeschool space can be wherever fits your family best- from your dining room table, to a dedicated homeschooling room, to the back of your RV, or a blanket in the park! The possibilities are endless and the freedom to homeschool wherever fits your family best is just another perk.

Socialization and support

There are many socialization opportunities for homeschool kids/families including homeschool co-ops, sports teams, in person classes, community groups, online communities, volunteering opportunities, and attending local events or meet-ups. It can also be helpful to parents to meet other likeminded parents through these groups to get support and guidance.

Finally, if you feel additional support is needed for any of your students, there are many resources out there to find online and local tutoring resources.

Find local groups and events near you

Record Keeping

You can maintain records by purchasing or creating a homeschool planner, binder or digital folder to store lesson plans, samples of your child’s work, attendance records, standardized test results, and any other relevant documentation. It’s also helpful to keep a log of educational activities, field trips, and extracurriculars to showcase your child’s overall learning experience. Organizing these records systematically will not only assist in monitoring your child’s development but also prepare you for any required evaluations or assessments depending on your state.

Browse Homeschool Planners in the Bookstore

Staying flexible

Keep in mind that while you may go into your homeschooling journey with a plan, things may change. You may discover more about how your children learn and adjust your homeschooling methods or styles to fit their needs better.

A common pitfall to look out for is committing a full expensive curriculum too early, as it may not meet your or your child’s needs. This is why it is often recommended to purchase individual courses and/or try out some different curriculum styles before committing to an expensive all-in-one option.

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