Where To Start
If you’re new to homeschooling, you will surely come to ask yourself where to begin. No matter the season or reason, there are steps you must take before your homeschool journey can start.
This post explores the key steps you must take to start your journey.
Key Steps
- Commit to your decision
- Decide which curriculum to use
- Alert your school board
Commit To Your Decision
While this may seem like a given, it’s important for you to have a clear path moving forward. If you’ve decided to begin homeschooling for the first time, you may feel anxious about jumping right in.
Keep in mind, that homeschooling will require time to adjust. Don’t get discouraged. Homeschooling can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming at times.
To be successful, you need to commit to the fact that you will be responsible for your child’s education.
Decide Which Curriculum To Use
This step may seem premature, but having an idea of which curriculum you will use will be of great help.
Once you begin your search, you will quickly see how many options there are. The shear number of educational materials is enough to make your head spin.
How do you know which curriculum is best for you? Personally, I’ve found https://cathyduffyreviews.com/ to be a great resource. There you will find just about every established curriculum with a thorough review.
I will cover curriculum more in depth in another post. For now, the takeaway is to have a starting point. Having a curriculum in mind, and knowing the time it will take to teach it, will help you decide if homeschooling is for you.
Alert Your School Board
Congrats! You’ve decided to take the plunge. Let’s make it official!
You MUST notify your county’s school board of your decision to homeschool. If your child is already in public or private school, you will also have to unenroll them.
It will not be assumed that you are beginning a homeschool program.
Typically all the school board needs is a form or letter sent to them. Include your child’s name, DOB, and address, as well as your own information in the letter.
Inform them of your desired start date for homeschooling.
I also request a response of some sort from the school board, to ensure they’ve reviewed and accepted the letter.
See below for a sample letter of intent.
That’s it! Congrats on your decision to homeschool!
Sample Letter of Intent
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Your Email Address] [Your Phone Number] [Date]
[School Board Name] [School Board Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
Subject: Notice of Intent to Homeschool
Dear [School Board or Superintendent’s Name],
I am writing to notify you of my intent to homeschool my child, [Child’s Full Name/DOB], effective [Start Date]. As required by [State’s Homeschool Law], I am providing this notice to ensure compliance with state regulations regarding home education.
Please confirm receipt of this notice and advise if there are any further steps necessary to complete this process. I appreciate your time and assistance.
Sincerely, [Your Name]