Learn everything you need to know before you start your homeschool journey, this page includes information about homeschool requirements, standardized testing, homeschool programs, curriculum and tips for homeschooling your children.
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Homeschool, also known as home education or elective home education, is an alternative to traditional education usually conducted by a parent, tutor or online teacher. It provides a personalized approach for children that have unique learning preferences and parents who are not satisfied with the available school programs.
Homeschooling is a spectrum that can range from highly structured curriculum to a freer implementation where materials are personalized to each student’s needs.
The modern homeschool movement began in the 1970s as an emerging alternative to state education but has rapidly grown in the last 10 years. According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) there were around 3.1 million homeschool students in 2021-2022 in grades k-10 in the United States, which constitutes roughly 6% of school-age children.
In the United States, homeschooling is legal in all states, although regulations and requirements vary. We can divide the requirements in four general categories:
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Homeschool programs are comprehensive materials that provide a structured approach to education. These programs often include all necessary lesson plans, assessments, and sometimes even online classes or support from teachers. They are designed to cover a wide range of subjects and are typically structured to help parents looking for a complete educational solution.
Popular accredited online homeschool programs:
Popular independent homeschool programs:
If your homeschool program or the laws of your state demand your child to take a standardized test, take a look at our practice tests with sample questions.
Homeschool curriculums are individual courses or subject materials that parents can choose to teach their children. Curriculums can be mixed and matched according to the student's needs and the parent's educational philosophy. This approach offers more flexibility as parents can select different curriculums for different subjects and customize the learning experience.
Online homeschooling courses:
In the United States, homeschool expenses are generally not tax deductible at the federal level. However, there are a few nuances and exceptions depending on your specific situation and location.
Homeschooling when both parents work requires careful planning and flexibility, such as creating a structured schedule that includes early mornings, evenings, and weekends for lessons, utilizing online resources and self-paced curricula, and enlisting help from family members, tutors, or homeschooling co-ops to cover instructional time and supervision during work hours.
As of recent estimates, over 2 million children are homeschooled in the US, accounting for approximately 3-4% of school-aged children, with numbers rising due to increasing interest in personalized education and flexible learning environments.
The biggest disadvantage of homeschooling is the potential for reduced social interaction with peers, which can impact the development of social skills and friendships, though many families address this through extracurricular activities, homeschool co-ops, and community involvement.
Some of the most popular homeschool programs that are accredited are K12. Connections Academy, Abeka Academy, and Calvert Education.
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