Homeschooling 101

The rest of the series

1. 01

   Is homeschooling right for us?

   The doubts everyone starts with, answered honestly.

   Why Homeschool? (opens in a new tab) A look at just some of the benefits of private home education. You CAN Teach Your Child (opens in a new tab) Encouragement for those who may be questioning if they're capable of teaching their own children. Spoiler alert: You Can! What About Socialization? (opens in a new tab) Ah, the age-old question! If you've been homeschooling for any length of time, you know this is a non-issue. Four ways to foster healthy socialization are discussed.
2. 02

   Know your legal options

   What California actually requires, and the four ways to comply with it.

   Options for Home Education (opens in a new tab) There are several legal options for educating your children outside of the public school system in California. This article details each. Public School at Home Explained (opens in a new tab) Public school at home is extremely popular in California. It's important to understand what exactly you are signing up for and what the laws are regarding this educational option. Written in April 2019; state laws and school policies may have changed since publication. Recordkeeping (opens in a new tab) Required records for California private home educators are minimal. This article walks through each record — both required and optional. Includes links to samples.
3. 03

   Set up your homeschool

   Choose an approach, build a budget, and find out what you can get for free.

   Finding Your Homeschool Method (opens in a new tab) Curriculum is not where to start. Work out your “why” and your “how” first, and choosing the “what” gets much easier. Homeschooling on a Budget (opens in a new tab) Suddenly you are the one funding your children’s education. What a good education actually requires — and what it does not. Planning Your School Year (opens in a new tab) How many school days California actually requires, and how to sketch a year loose enough to change when life does. Teacher Perks & Educational Discounts (opens in a new tab) Stores that offer perks to educators often include homeschool "teachers" too. Check out this list for ways to save and fun perks for being a home educator!
4. 04

   By age and situation

   Where to begin with the youngest, how to handle high school, and homeschooling a child with special needs.

   Homeschooling Preschool (opens in a new tab) For parents of young children who are eager to start homeschooling their little ones. What can homeschooling a preschooler look like? (It's a lot simpler than you think!) An Introduction to High School (opens in a new tab) Homeschooling a high schooler can be daunting. Transcripts, graduation requirements, planning for post-graduation, etc. Homeschooling Children With Special Needs (opens in a new tab) Accommodations, recordkeeping, and why California does not require an IEP when you homeschool privately.