A Homeschooling Guide for Parents and Students

Homeschooling involves parents educating their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional public or private school.

The homeschooling movement began growing in the 1970s, and it's relatively popular today. About 6% of school-aged children were homeschooled during the 2021-2022 school year, according to the National Home Education Research Institute. That equates to about 3.1 million students in grades K through 12.

Keep reading to learn more about homeschooling, including necessary requirements, how to begin, and tips for success.

Requirements for Homeschooling Your Kids

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and many foreign countries, but requirements vary depending on location. Some states have few or no requirements; others ask for portfolio reviews, attendance documentation, or standardized testing at certain intervals. In almost all areas of the country, parents do not need an education degree to homeschool—but they do need the right mindset.

According to John Holt, an early proponent of homeschooling and author of the bestselling book Teach Your Own, the most important thing parents need to homeschool their children is "to like them, enjoy their company, their physical presence, their energy, foolishness, and passion. They have to enjoy all their talk and questions, and enjoy equally trying to answer those questions."

Indeed, for the majority of parents who homeschool, the only prerequisite is the desire to do so, along with a dedication to the educational process.

Getting Started with Homeschooling

Those with young children who have never attended a traditional classroom can begin a home education program when their child turns school age. At that time, they will start adhering to the requirements in their particular state.

The process is slightly different for parents who have kids in school already and then decide to homeschool. They must first write a letter of withdrawal to the school principal or local superintendent. The letter should describe the parents' intent to remove a child from school to begin homeschooling. After the notification, parents continue to follow their district's specific guidelines.

Making a Homeschool Schedule

Homeschoolers organize their days in whatever way works best for them. Many begin their schooling early in the morning, as in a traditional school, but some opt to make less distinction between "school" and "home." If a child gets excited about a science experiment before bed, some parents follow the child's enthusiasm to see where it leads; this becomes part of the school day as well.

The educational philosophy a homeschooling family chooses will significantly influence the structure of their days. Most of us are familiar with only one style of education—the traditional system of textbooks, desks in rows, and standardized testing—but a wide array of educational philosophies exists. These methods include Waldorf, Montessori, Charlotte Mason, classical, leadership education, interest-led learning, unit study, and more. Homeschoolers have the freedom to blend ideas that best meet their children's needs.

You might also be wondering if homeschoolers follow the public school calendar year. In reality, homeschoolers have complete freedom over the structure of their school year. Many follow the traditional school calendar, some school year-round, and others take off during specific weeks when they need breaks.

Planning a Curriculum for Homeschooling

An increased number of homeschoolers has resulted in a wide variety of available curricula and resources. Catalogs are filled with options based on different educational philosophies, learning approaches, the amount of time a homeschool teacher devotes to daily instruction, and so on.

Subjects typically taught include the standard disciplines followed in a traditional school program, as well as those that capitalize on the child's interests. In his best-selling book The Element, British author and speaker Ken Robinson writes that "the key to [educational] transformation is not to standardize education, but to personalize it, to build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child, to put students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can naturally discover their true passions."

A homeschooling atmosphere provides a natural setting in which parents can deliver an individualized method of instruction that matches the child's unique interests, ability, and learning style.

Families that homeschool often combine certain subjects that aren't necessarily grade- or age-specific, such as history, literature, and the arts. For example, children of different ages might study the same historical time period together, and then be given assignments that reflect specific age and ability.

For studies in other subjects, such as math and reading, a homeschooling parent might tutor each child one-on-one to meet the student's individual needs. Meanwhile, depending on each child's age, the other students may be working on solo assignments or playing in another room.

Homeschooling FAQs for Parents

Are homeschooled kids behind compared with public school kids?

One of the advantages of homeschooling is that students can progress according to their own temperament and timetable. The National Home Education Research Institute found that homeschoolers typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher on standardized academic achievement tests, compared with kids educated in public schools. These results stay strong regardless of family household income and education level of caregivers.

What's more, the National Home Education Research Institute found that homeschooled students often score above-average in terms of social, emotional, and psychological development. This includes measures of leadership, self-esteem, peer interaction, and more.

Does the state fund any homeschool programs?

Government-funded programs vary widely from state to state, but most homeschooling families fund their children's studies themselves. In certain areas, enrollment in a state-based program is optional. In that case, the state pays for specific resources in exchange for the homeschool meeting certain requirements to remain in the program.

Is there a network of parents who homeschool?

Homeschoolers in most places have access to an array of resources and social networks. In addition to forming co-ops, in which families group together to have classes, you might find social events such as lectures, field trips, art classes, music instruction, sports, and playdates.

What happens if the homeschooling parent is sick?

One of homeschooling's biggest advantages is the flexibility it offers. A sick parent can still ensure that the most essential aspects of the day's work get accomplished, providing instruction from bed if necessary. Group work that requires the sick parent's direct involvement may be cancelled for the day, but the parent could still supervise any individual work the child needs to do—like penmanship or reading. In two-parent families, both parents can contribute according to their schedules.

Do homeschooled kids receive homework?

In many ways homeschooling lessens the need for traditional homework often required by schools, particularly for elementary school-age kids. Without 20 or more children in one class, schoolwork can often be completed in a shorter time frame during the school day, eliminating the need for extra work afterward.

Acting as a one-on-one tutor, the parent-teacher constantly observes the children as they learn. This direct observation allows a parent to keep track of a child's proficiency or struggles. Assignments are then tailored accordingly.

Homeschooled children, especially as they grow older, often attend more traditional classes, giving them experience in completing more typical homework assignments. Some public schools allow homeschoolers to attend certain classes that they choose. As they get older, homeschooled kids may enroll in community college classes and begin their college studies early.

How do homeschooled children receive objective grades?

Although grades in certain subjects are not always needed, many families choose to administer graded tests, some through computer programs. The homeschooling environment allows children to progress at their own pace until they have mastered the necessary materials.

Do homeschooled kids need to take standardized or state-mandated tests?

A number of states require standardized testing at specific intervals; others don't. Some families prefer to have their kids tested to ensure they're progressing academically. Other homeschoolers believe there is no need for such testing until a child reaches high school.

How long does homeschooling last?

Homeschooling can continue until a student graduates and enters college. Families may choose to homeschool throughout their children's education, or they may do so for only a few years before transferring their kids back into a mainstream school system. Most colleges are beginning to take note of homeschooling's popularity. Even Ivy League universities have recruited and accepted homeschooled graduates.