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Homeschooling is on the rise, and it’s no surprise why. With concerns over safety, educational quality, and peer pressure shaping decisions, more parents are exploring alternatives to traditional schooling. For some, it’s about gaining more control over what and how their child learns. For others, it’s about creating a tailored, supportive learning environment. Whatever the reason, homeschooling is becoming a compelling option for families everywhere.
While homeschooling is an attractive alternative to traditional schooling for these reasons and more, understanding how to begin homeschooling can be intimidating. Many parents quickly become overwhelmed by the process of choosing a curriculum and navigating their state’s homeschool laws.
To help parents get started, we’ve taken the question, “How to start homeschooling” and divided the answer into three simple steps. With these steps, parents will learn how to begin homeschooling and make the most of the at-home education experience.
Step 1: Reviewing Homeschooling Laws & Requirements
An important first step to educating a child at home is reviewing and understanding the laws and requirements of the local governing body.
In the United States, homeschooling laws vary from state to state. In low-regulation states, parents may only need to submit their intent to homeschool with the local school district. In high-regulation states, parents are often required to submit a learning plan for review, cover particular subjects and topics by grade level, and even comply with mandated timing for the child’s education.
These requirements can vary in other countries as well. Wherever a family resides, and whatever the rules may be, understanding them is essential to understanding how to start homeschooling your child in your city.
| Admissions Counselors can help families understand the laws and requirements in their state. Parents can speak to a Bridgeway Academy Admissions Counselor by calling 1-800-863-1474. |
Tip: Use Resources to Stay Compliant
Navigating the complex or sometimes-vague laws around homeschooling can be challenging for parents, especially in states and countries with more stringent regulations. By tapping into local and national resources, parents can more easily learn about how to start homeschool in their area.
Local homeschool associations, homeschool co-ops, and the local education board’s website are good starting points to not only understand, but stay up-to-date on the regulations for homeschooling in a particular city or state. As a bonus, these sites can offer additional information to support parents in their homeschooling journey, such as financial resources, forums, and homeschool communities for parents.
Step 2: Choose the Right Homeschool Program for Your Family
Once the necessary legal requirements have been completed, parents can begin choosing the right method to instruct their children at home.
No one homeschooling approach is right for every family or every child. Homeschooling programs range from self-paced courses to online classes with live teachers. Homeschool takes a highly customized approach to how children learn best as well as the pace at which they learn and grow.
Each child is different, and those differences impact the structure and resources they need to be successful. The best programs offer a complete package of homeschool curriculum options and support that can be tailored to fit the unique needs and goals of an individual family or student. Bridgeway Academy will match parents and their children with an Academic Advisor who will help them choose from various program options including:
- Accreditation: An Accreditation program assists families in reviewing and accrediting their chosen curriculum and helping them establish official records to document their child’s academics.
- Homeschool Academy: As Bridgeway Academy’s flagship program, Homeschool Academy offers customized curriculum from more than 40 publishers, accredited record keeping, and personalized support from educational experts to support your child’s academic growth. Our students benefit from opportunities to engage with others through in-person and online activities, and even provide parents with resources to aid in their instruction.
- Homeschool Academy Plus: In addition to all of the great benefits of the Homeschool Academy program, Bridgeway Academy’s Homeschool Academy Plus offers live online classes, coursework reviews from certified teachers, and on-demand tutoring to help students expand their academic experience.
Tip: Explore Individual Courses and Curriculum Options
Homeschooling programs offer a wide range of benefits for families, from peer support to academic guidance. At the core of every homeschool program, however, is a child’s education.
Educational flexibility is key, and it’s one of the primary reasons that many families choose to homeschool their children. A homeschool program with a wide range of available academic options and structures can allow students—and their parents—to curate an educational experience that works for them.
For families that don’t need a full homeschool program, Bridgeway Academy offers individual curriculum options, live online classes, and other resources available on an as-needed basis. This allows families to pick and choose the resources they need to curate a custom educational experience for their child.
Step 3: Selecting the Right Homeschool Courses
One of the benefits of homeschooling is that homeschooled children are not limited by the expertise or courses offered in a singular school environment. Plus, they are able to learn across a wide range of academic levels, rather than being forced into a particular “grade” for any particular subject.
With parent-led education, self-paced courses, and online classes, the flexibility of homeschooling helps families pursue the education style and pace that is right for their children and their lifestyle. Even so, choosing the right courses can be overwhelming—especially as a child progresses.
The knowledgeable team of Academic Advisors at Bridgeway Academy works with every family to identify their child’s education goals, learning style, and interests. With the information gathered in our Student Discovery process, our advisors can guide families to the right curriculum, courses, and teaching format to help their child succeed. We have a 96% success rate in matching students to the right educational resources, helping parents start homeschooling with confidence.
Tip: Create a Homeschool Schedule That Works for You
Once a parent has met the legal requirements for homeschooling and chosen their curriculum and courses, they’re ready to begin.
Homeschooling does require a time commitment, even if your child is enrolled in online courses or doing self-paced homeschool classes. Plus, when a child learns is just as important as what they learn.
Homeschooling allows children to learn at the time when they are most receptive to new information, whether that’s morning, afternoon, or evening. In addition, homeschooling allows families to integrate a child’s education into a flexible schedule. This, in turn, allows the child to participate in family activities or extracurricular activities.
A key to successful homeschooling is finding a schedule that works—and being flexible enough to make changes as needed.
Connect with Homeschooling Communities for Socialization
Academics may be the heart of homeschooling, but a great homeschool education goes well beyond the books.
Homeschooled children around the world regularly participate in clubs, volunteering, athletics, and more. These socialization opportunities, available through homeschooling communities help children succeed socially as well as academically.
These same groups can also offer essential connections for parents, such as Bridgeway Academy’s Parent Connections. Through our parent-focused workshops, chats, and social groups, parents can gain tips and resources, share their experiences, and engage in camaraderie with fellow homeschooling parents. This support is helpful in overcoming the challenges of an at-home education while building relationships that last well beyond a child’s school years.
Get Started Homeschooling and Take Control of Your Child’s Learning Journey
Ready to get started on your homeschooling journey? Remember, first check your local regulations, then choose your child’s curriculum and courses and set the schedule for learning.
Bridgeway Academy is here to answer all your questions, from how to start homeschooling your child to understanding the costs involved. With state-by-state homeschooling guides and over four decades of experience, we’ve supported countless families in creating successful at-home education experiences. Our unique homeschooling curriculum options, course offerings, and social opportunities empower families to make the most of their homeschooling journey.
To get started, contact our team of educational experts at (800) 863-1474. You can also register to attend our next virtual open house or schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor.
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