What is Homeschooling?

Simply put, homeschooling is educating your child at home. 

Within that definition is a wide spectrum of options giving parents the freedom to choose which means of schooling best fits their children and families. It includes everything from collecting lesson plans and materials from the school district to apply at the school’s direction in your home, to having full autonomy to customize the timing, content, and pace of your child’s education — and a variety of options in between. Parents retain ultimate discretion in determining which option to choose, and many are affordable.

Respect for the innovative model of homeschooling is growing as it becomes recognized as a mainstream education option. And the data supports this, studies showing that homeschoolers frequently have higher nationalized test scores, persevere longer through college, and have higher college GPA’s.

But, What Is It Really?

Homeschooling is not the same as doing homework — even though both involve assignments at the kitchen table. Homeschooling is not a traditional school relocated to your kitchen. It is a conversation between the parent and child, sitting side-by-side at the table, going over small chunks of information at a time and giving the student what is needed to practice and master that content before moving on to the next. It is moving at the speed of the student — taking the time to confirm mastery, slow down if needed, or advance enthusiastically into the content once mastery is achieved. Homeschooling is parent-directed, aligning the pacing and method of delivery to the student’s needs.

Homeschooling is a customized education, going beyond academics into a holistic lifestyle of learning — where students develop confidence through family responsibilities, a supportive homeschool community doing life together, and unique social opportunities. It is focused on developing the child as a whole person within the setting of a supportive family environment.

Who Can Homeschool?

Legally, almost anyone. Each state has their own requirements, so please check yours for specifics. Beyond that, your child does not need to be considered advanced or struggling, wealthy or state-dependent, special needs or standard, elementary or secondary — it is customizable to any student. And, that’s the beauty of it. Parents should not expect they must provide content in every subject to their child — just connect them to the right source. The homeschooling community — through the school district, online, and local networks — is well-resourced to meet parents where they are and equip them to provide an excellent education for their children.

If I Don’t Homeschool, Am I a Bad Parent

Homeschooling my children is not proof that I love them. Just because I have knowledge in a content area does not mean I need to be my child’s primary provider of that content. For instance, I swam competitively growing up, but hiring a coach to teach my children backstroke does not mean I love them any less. It just means I think the coach is a better fit for our needs. Similarly, homeschooling is just one way to educate. It isn’t for everyone, and that’s ok.

So, Why Do You Homeschool?

When strangers approach me in the grocery expressing concern about the well-being of my homeschooled children who are shopping with me well within school hours, I’m happy to engage.

I think to myself how grateful I am to be able to give my children a chance to learn independently. To have a curriculum customized to pushing ahead in their strengths rather than waiting for classmates to catch up. To support them in the areas where they need it most without them feeling lessor for it. To remove social conflict from the learning equation so they can do school with Mom and then play with friends, succeeding better at both. To discover and grow in a subject area that may not be available in a traditional school. To spend the best parts of their childhood on concentrated learning and an afternoon of play, rather than classroom management. To love learning for themselves.

And, I thank them for asking.