START HOMESCHOOLING

Welcome!

Does homeschooling seem like a trek into a totally new and unfamiliar territory?

Almost everyone beginning the homeschool adventure has felt a bit overwhelmed.

We're here to help!
Check our QUICK START GUIDE and then
click your way through our complete guide below.

You Can Homeschool Part #1

Would you like to hear some personal stories from real-life families who have chosen homeschooling as their educational choice?

Christy Shipe, who was homeschooled and is now homeschooling her own children, introduces video clips of parents telling why they made the choice to home educate.

What were their reasons for choosing home education?
What benefits have they seen?

Watch and see!

You Can Homeschool Part #2

In Part #2 of the video, you'll learn a bit about the early years of homeschooling.

What was it like for those pioneering families who began homeschooling when it was not legally recognized or culturally accepted?

What about socialization?
Are homeschooled students accepted by colleges, employers, and the military services?

Find answers here.

You Can Homeschool Part #3

Part #3 of the video discusses the importance of working together to defend and retain the homeschooling freedoms that we enjoy today.

A brief background of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), which produced this video, is presented.

The closing portion returns to real-life homeschooling parents sharing why they chose home education. Their comments -- along with those of some of their homeschooled children -- will encourage and inspire you to begin the homeschooling adventure with your family!

WHY DO FAMILIES HOMESCHOOL?

Historical Reasons

Academic Reasons

Home-educated students typically score 15-30 percentage points above public-schooled students on standardized academic achievement tests
- regardless of parents’ formal education level
- regardless of their families’ household income
This academic achievement is not related to
- whether licensed teachers were involved
- the degree of state control and/or regulation
Home-educated students typically score above average on SAT and ACT tests that colleges consider for admissions

Social Reasons

Worldview Reasons

Spiritual and Character Reasons

"What if I start homeschooling –
but then need to return my children to school enrollment?"

Rather than centering your efforts on
attempts to replicate the public school model,
focus instead on your children.
Who knows and cares for them more than you?

Begin your homeschooling adventure with the basics, and remember
your goal is to help your children to learn how to learn – and to love learning!

You'll find that the personalized nature of homeschooling
allows your child to make more than adequate educational progress.

Important note, if you have a high school student:
Be aware that accredited schools are not required
to recognize or accept coursework completed in a non-accredited setting.

STEP #1: SET YOUR VISION

We encourage you to take a few minutes to think about the reasons you want to homeschool.

This list of foundational reasons will build confidence and provide vision as you embark on this amazing homeschool adventure.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Passing on Faith
Building Character
Fostering Love of Learning
Strengthening Family Bonds
Equipping for Future Service

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING

These two websites provide more information and offer the best research available on home education. Click on these links.

Home School Legal Defense AssociationHSLDA

National Home Education Research InstituteNHERI

THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU MOST WANT TO ACCOMPLISH AS A PARENT.
Here are a few examples:

Passing on Faith
Building Character
Fostering Love of Learning
Strengthening Family Bonds
Equipping for Future Service

We hope you agree with us that
homeschooling is the best educational option
to help make your intentions realities.

Continue to the Next Step in Getting Started Homeschooling

know the law & rules