Your Guide to Homeschool Success

When my son was in preschool, I’d often overhear parents discussing their plans for the next school year while waiting in the pickup line. Some considered local public and private schools, but many were exploring homeschool—a choice that’s been around for ages and is steadily gaining popularity.

Teaching children at home was the norm for centuries, and public schooling, which began around the 19th century, is a more recent development. Today, while most children attend public school, homeschooling is on the rise. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there was a 4% increase in homeschooling from 2019 to the 2020–2021 school year, reaching 6.8%.

Although the pandemic contributed to this increase, research shows a decades-long upward trend in homeschooling. With the growing school choice movement, which emphasizes the importance of finding the best educational fit for each child, I expect we’ll continue to see more families opt for homeschooling.

If you’re among the millions of U.S. parents considering homeschooling, these steps can help you find support, resources, and advice to get started.

Join a local homeschool group: Connecting with other homeschooling families provides access to support, encouragement, and advice from experienced individuals.
Check out library resources: Libraries offer valuable resources like educational clubs and programs, learning kits, classroom materials, story time, and digital resource tools. Check with your local library to see what’s available.
Try an online educational platform: Online public and private schools, such as K12-powered online schools, offer the support and resources of a traditional school, along with an award-winning curriculum, while maintaining the flexibility and personalization of homeschooling.
Use educational apps: Apps like Duolingo, Quizlet, and Mathletics make learning different topics fun and effective.
Do your research: Get insight into homeschooling by reading recent studies, books, and academic reports. You can also find fun and engaging tips on social media and blogs.
Find a tutor: We all have subjects that can be difficult to grasp–and even more challenging to explain to our kids. This is when it becomes time to pull in an expert. Stride Tutoring is an amazing resource that connects you to state-certified teachers specializing in math, English, science, and many other subjects, all from the comfort and convenience of home.

Learning Hub is another excellent resource for families, whether their kids are homeschooled or in traditional classrooms. This free pilot program offers a vast library of more than 15,000 interactive online lessons designed to enhance K–12 students’ skills and knowledge in core subjects, world languages, and electives. Parents and students can choose from curated playlists or create personalized ones by selecting from a collection of 5- to 10-minute lessons, from expert-guided videos to hands-on exercises. These short lessons are proven to improve retention, increase motivation, and boost confidence, and each lesson ends with an assessment so you can easily track their progress and understanding.

With so many incredible resources available, you can feel confident in your ability to lead your children’s learning at home. Embrace the journey, knowing that you’re part of a growing community dedicated to providing a fulfilling at-home education.

To learn more about K12-powered online schools, go to K12.com.

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