Want to start homeschooling? Here's what you need to know.
Here's what you'll learn in this article:
- Starting home school is a state-specific and accessible process, much like opening a bank account or filing for a permit.
- Insights for streamlining the registration process involved in starting home school.
- Answers to common questions about starting home school to help you begin the process today.
- Key takeaways to add to your to-do list for starting home school.
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Resources to jumpstart a successful start to homeschooling.
Starting Home School is First About Meeting the Registration Requirements in Your State
Starting home school can feel daunting because it is new and unknown. If you’ve never registered your child for homeschool, it can feel overwhelming. The good news is, while less common than traditional school, the registration process for home school is very similar that of registering your children for the first day of class outside of the home.
Registering for traditional school starts with getting in touch with the right person to complete the administrative requirements. Guess what? Starting home school begins the same way. While each state has different application processes and expectations for the homeschooled student, the first and biggest step is completing your state’s administrative requirements. Once complete, you will likely have a home school contact in your state, and this person will guide you through the rest of the requirements for getting started.
5 Insights for Meeting the Administrative Requirements to Start Homeschooling
If starting home school feels daunting or overwhelming, here are five insights to help you take the first step:
1. Search “how to register for home school in [your state]” to get your state-specific requirements for starting home school.
First, search for your state-specific registration requirements for homeschool. There are many websites that aggregate this information, but be careful about using a third-party site for state-specific requirements because this information can become outdated. For example, even the information in this 50-state guide from the U.S. Department of Education is severely outdated for several states.
Keep scrolling until you find the Department of Education website for your state, which will have the .gov website address. This site should have the current expectations, dates, and requirements to start homeschooling in your state.
2. Read the state-specific requirements to start homeschooling and take notes on important dates and needs.
As with registering for traditional school, there are typically yearly cutoff dates and other time sensitive requirements throughout the year--like submitting a curriculum plan or yearly report. These are administrative tasks that are straightforward to manage with proper planning.
Critical to getting started homeschooling is identifying and understanding your state requirements for homeschooling. Many states have multiple options for homeschooling. As with using third-party sites to identify your state's requirements for homeschooling, be wary of sites that recommend specific home school options over others. The option you choose for your child is a personal decision that should be based on your family's needs.
For example, some state home school options include requirements for yearly state testing. This option can be a great fit if your child tests well because you will have additional data about their performance. However, if your child does not test well, then a yearly testing requirement can be stressful and not reflective of your child’s academic ability, only their test taking ability. By focusing on your state requirements for homeschooling and what is best for your family, you will be well on your way to starting home school.
3. Click through the detailed application materials and requirements to start home school.
As you review the requirements to begin homeschooling, make note of what information you can complete now (e.g., demographic information), can easily gather (e.g. copies of transcripts), and need to research and decide (e.g., curriculum approach). For any parts of the process that will take more than an hour to complete (e.g., choosing a curriculum), make a note to add it separately to your schedule. It's okay to build more time into the process, as it is much easier to realize you don’t need the allotted time than it is to try to make time when you don't have it scheduled.
4. Make a schedule of specific date requirements for starting home school in your state.
After going through your state's requirements for homeschooling and deciding on a registration option, then it is time to make a plan to execute the steps and begin homeschooling. Ideally, if you are considering starting home school at the beginning of a traditional school year, you should begin identifying your state's requirements and selecting a registration option in the winter of the current school year.
If you are pulling your child out of traditional school before the end of the academic year, then this is its own unique path that requires careful consideration. The guidance counselor at the current school can likely help with the transition, but if you are making a mid-year change on your own, still proceed with steps 1 and 2, and reach out to the contact provided on your state’s Department of Education website to explain your situation and find out what is needed for mid-year home school registration.
Starting early will give you plenty of time to prepare for other aspects of homeschooling like subject and curriculum selection with your state requirements in mind. As for completing the state registration requirements, get the due dates entered into your preferred calendar system. If you don’t have a preferred system, try using the calendar on your phone with two-week alerts. Setting aside an hour for each step in the process is likely reasonable. With a schedule in place, you can also consider if you want to reach out to your state’s home school contact to share your plans and ask if there is anything else you should know (e.g., if a new requirement or updated application package is coming).
5. Follow your schedule to start completing the state specific requirements for starting home school.
Once you begin executing the scheduled steps to complete your state’s home school requirements, you will need to carefully go through the registration application for the option you selected. Complete what you can, and if you notice anything new or an area that needs more attention than expected, adjust your schedule accordingly.
Remember, if anything starts to feel overwhelming or daunting about the registration, you have come this far and have resources that you can access whether on this site or by reaching out to your state’s home school contact. Likewise, you may need to renew registration materials as you keep homeschooling, so make note of these expectations as you learn about them. If you submit your materials but don’t receive the expected response, then follow up and advocate for your child's needs and your chosen registration option as necessary.
FAQs: Identifying Your State's Requirements for Homeschooling
Is starting home school the same for everyone?
No, starting home school is not the same for everyone because each state has its own requirements. Additionally, many states offer multiple paths for homeschooling (e.g., registering with the local school district or a home school association). It is critical to go to your state's Department of Education website to learn the requirements for beginning home school where you live.
How can I make the process of starting home school less overwhelming?
Any time you do something new, it can feel overwhelming. With your state requirements for homeschooling in hand, give a quick read through to remind yourself that registering for home school is simply an application process--like many others you have done as an adult. The key is to create a plan with plenty of time and seek resources to help where you need it.
Key Takeaways
- State requirements are not equal. Go directly to your state’s Department of Education website to learn the requirements you need to meet to start homeschooling.
- Review your state's requirements. As you review the requirements, start making notes and putting together your to-do list.
- Make a schedule based on your state’s registration option that best fits your family’s needs. Go through your state’s requirements to start homeschooling in greater detail and build the time necessary to gather materials and complete each step of the registration process into your schedule.
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Complete your state’s requirements to start homeschooling. Follow your schedule to complete the registration process without getting overwhelmed. Seek out resources or get in touch with your state's home school contact if necessary.
Where to Learn More
If you would like more information about how to home school, consider becoming a member of Crush Home School. With our membership plan, you get monthly guidance delivered to your inbox with downloadable resources and much more. Learn more about becoming a Crush Home School member.