Deciding to homeschool your child is a big decision. It involves an entire lifestyle change and can be intimidating if you don’t know where to begin. One of the first steps is to officially inform the school district that you are homeschooling.
Depending on where you live, there are myriad requirements and procedures you must follow to homeschool legally. The good news is that once you understand the process, telling the school you are homeschooling is relatively straightforward.
Knowing the right steps to take will help make the transition to homeschooling smooth and successful.
Understand your state’s homeschool laws
The first thing you need to do before even thinking about telling the school you are homeschooling is to understand your state’s homeschooling laws. Telling the school, you are homeschooling varies from state to state.
Some states have no homeschooling regulations, while others have strict laws that must be followed precisely. When you understand your state’s homeschooling regulations, you’ll be better equipped to handle any issues that may arise while telling the school you are homeschooling.
You can find your state’s homeschooling laws online. The National Home Education Research Institute offers a state-by-state searchable database with information about homeschooling regulations in every state.
Know the required forms
If your state has strict homeschooling laws, you may have to submit certain forms to the school district before you can legally begin homeschooling. These are typically part of the official notification process.
The school district may require that you submit a notice of intent to homeschool, a notice of intent to withdraw from the public school system, or a notice of homeschooling. Each state has different forms and regulations you must follow, so you should check your state’s laws to find out exactly which forms you need to submit.
The notice of intent to homeschool is what you will use to inform the school district that you are withdrawing your child from public school. The notice of intent to withdraw from the public school system may be what you need to inform the district that you are taking your child out of school with the intention to homeschool.
These two notices are almost identical in some states, but you should check to see which one your district requires.
Notify the school district of your decision
Once you understand the required forms, you can notify the school district of your decision. This will officially inform the district that you are withdrawing your child from public school and beginning the homeschooling process.
Depending on your state’s regulations, you may have to submit your notice of intent to homeschool in writing or fill out an official form. Your state’s homeschool regulations should have this information.
Submit the required paperwork
After you notify the school district that you are withdrawing your child from public school, you will likely have to submit several additional forms and documents. Each state has different regulations around what must be submitted, so make sure you know your state’s requirements before moving forward.
You may be required to submit an application for a homeschool diploma, a plan of instruction, or a homeschooling curriculum. Many states require that you submit an application for a homeschool diploma.
The application for a homeschool diploma varies from state to state, but it is often a form that asks for information about your child’s grades, progress, and educational progress. The application for a homeschool diploma will vary depending on your state’s laws, but you can find the homeschool diploma application online.
You should also submit an instruction plan that details what subjects you plan to cover, how long each subject will take, and how you will assess your child’s progress. The instruction plan varies from state to state, but you can usually find example plans online.
Research homeschooling support organizations
As you think seriously about telling the school you are homeschooling, exploring homeschooling support organizations in your area is a good idea. You can find these organizations online or through your state’s homeschooling association.
These organizations offer a wealth of information about homeschooling, including local networking events, educational workshops, and learning opportunities. These organizations are also a great way to learn about the homeschooling lifestyle.
You can learn everything from how to set up your homeschooling space to properly assess your child’s progress. You can also use these organizations to connect with other homeschooling families in your area. These organizations are a fantastic way to learn about homeschooling and all the benefits of switching to a homeschooling lifestyle.
Connect with other homeschoolers
One of the best ways to learn about homeschooling is to connect with other homeschooling families. If you have friends or family members who homeschool, you can ask them to share their advice and experience.
But if you don’t know anyone who homeschools, or want to meet new people who are also in the process of telling the school they are homeschooling, you can find homeschooling groups online. If you want to meet other homeschooling families in person, visit your local library or coffee shop and look for homeschooling meet-ups in your area.
There are also online communities, like Facebook groups, where you can connect with other homeschooling families. These online communities are a fantastic way to meet people who have faced similar challenges and have the advice to share.
Set up your homeschooling space
After you’ve researched homeschooling and connected with other homeschooling families, it’s time to set up your homeschooling space. You can do this however you like, but it is important to maintain a consistent, organized space to effectively teach your child.
You can set up your homeschooling space however you like. There are no set rules about organizing a homeschooling space; it’s whatever works best for you and your child. Some prefer a traditional classroom setting, while others prefer a more flexible, open-concept approach. Finding a system that works for you and your child is important.
Purchase homeschooling curriculum
You may want to purchase a curriculum or educational materials for your child to use while they are in the process of telling the school they are homeschooling. You may also want to purchase materials to help you plan your curriculum and decide which subjects to teach.
There are several online options, including Amazon, to purchase homeschooling textbooks and other educational materials. You can also look into purchasing curricula from a local bookstore.
You can use the curriculum from your child’s previous school, but you may need to supplement it with additional lessons or materials. It’s important to take time to plan out your curriculum and decide what materials you need.
Find educational resources online
One of the best ways to prepare for telling the school you are homeschooling is to connect with other homeschoolers and find educational resources online. You can use social media like Facebook groups and websites like Pinterest to find homeschooling resources and instructional materials.
You can also use online resources to find information about your state’s homeschooling laws, and find out what other families are doing to homeschool their children successfully. By connecting with other homeschooling families online, you can find everything you need to know about telling the school you are homeschooling.
Schedule regular meetings with school officials
Although you will likely communicate regularly with school officials in the beginning stages of telling the school you are homeschooling, you should schedule regular meetings with school administrators as you progress.
During these meetings, you can discuss your child’s progress and ensure that your child is progressing appropriately. You can also use these meetings to inform school officials about your challenges as you switch to a homeschooling lifestyle. Ask for help and support when needed, and keep school officials in the loop as you homeschool your child.
Telling the school you are homeschooling is a big decision and change, but it can be gratifying and beneficial for your child. By following these tips, you can make the process smooth and easy.
