Thinking of Homeschooling? Start here!

Are you wondering if home education could be for you and your family?

Homeschooling has grown from being something only a small number of people participated in, to becoming a well-known choice for many families now.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the United States Department of Education, said that between 1999 and 2016 the number of homeschooling students nearly doubled—from 850,000 to 1.7 million. And according to the US Census Bureau (USCB) Household Pulse Survey, the number of parents choosing to homeschool grew from 3.2 million to at least 5 million between March 2020 and the start of the 2020–21 school year.

Perhaps you’re musing, “If 5 million parents can homeschool their kids, maybe I can too!”

Do any of these thoughts resonate with you?

  • “Hmmm, I wonder what homeschooling really is? I mean, can just anyone do it? It looks like it could be fun!”

  • “My child is not thriving at school, could I really provide a better education for her? I’m not a teacher or anything. Am I qualified?”

  • “I would love to have more time to invest in my child, but do I have the patience for this? Of course, I love my child, but ALL day together? Every day? Will we grow into it, or will we drive each other crazy?”

  • “If I’m not naturally organized, how will I be able to homeschool?”

  • “I still have to—or want to—work. Will I have enough time at home and support from others to give my child what he needs?”

  • Or . . . you name it!

While there are as many reasons to homeschool as there are families who do it, research shows that there are some common themes. Parents say they want to:

  • Customize and individualize curriculum and learning environment for each child

  • Improve academic opportunities

  • Utilize learning approaches not found in traditional school settings

  • Guide positive and healthy social experiences for children

  • Provide a safe learning environment free from fear of physical or emotional harm

  • Have the freedom to impart family values and beliefs

Do you find yourself agreeing with any (or many!) of these reasons?  Or do you have your own?