Steps to Begin Homeschooling

Homeschooling is regulated by the state rather than the federal government, which means that you will need to look to the specifics in your state to find out what you must do to be legally homeschooling. Some states consider homeschools to be private schools and regulate them as such, some states have specific homeschool statutes, and some have no homeschool regulations at all. Visit our state’s official Department of Education website for details.

One of the most important things you can do to successfully homeschool is to get connected into a local community of people who homeschool near you. Whether online where you find encouragement and support in a virtual environment, or in person. This allows you to participate in field trips, co-ops, classes, and outings. Avoiding isolation is key to homeschool success. Local homeschoolers are often a helpful resource for understanding homeschool regulations, so getting connected early can help reduce anxiety for new homeschoolers. This will also help you to learn and see what works for you and your family when it comes to homeschooling styles, curriculum, and how your kids engage.

You have the freedom to allow your children to learn in ways that aren’t possible in an institutional setting, so learn more about what might work best for your family. Consider how your children learn. Home is not school and does not need the same structure. There are many homeschooling styles. It is very important to take some time to investigate how each works.

A very important part of this step is what is called de-schooling. De-schooling is when you take some time to adjust from the norms of public school, letting go of what the culture of those institutions demand. This is huge for parents as they need to de-school too!

Consider working through steps 1-3 before you buy any curriculum. You may find that you just need a limited curriculum or a full packaged one. When you're ready to buy, consider sources for used curriculum to save money and to see if it works for you.