While everyone has heard of homeschooling at some point in their life, not everyone truly understands how it works.
A big reason for this lack of understanding is the level of personalization that homeschooling grants parents and students. The ability to tailor a program to address the need of the individual student grants freedom to those that need it. This includes competitive performers or student-athletes who need flexible schedules and those struggling to keep up with traditional public school or private school.
Ultimately, homeschool works differently for different families. At its core, it is a way to pursue an education beyond the restricting walls of traditional schooling. It allows students to have a say in what and how they learn and offers a flexible schedule.
Who Benefits from Homeschooling
Homeschooling provides students with a learning environment that is tailored to their specific needs. Some students might find themselves overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to complete in school. Other students may be looking to pursue an after-school activity in a way that doesn’t interfere with their other subjects. A few other common reasons for homeschooling include:
- An unsafe or unwelcome environment
- Religion
- Frequent travel opportunities
- Requiring a different learning pace
- The need for private instruction
- Seeking individuality and unique learning opportunities
Program Options
Depending on the student’s circumstances, there are two primary options to pursue when looking to switch to homeschooling.
Independent Study: Students enrolled in independent study can work on their own. They complete their schoolwork at home as a parent or guardian supervises. This option is most appropriate for students who need to work without interruption from other people, such as children with ADHD.
Homeschool Co-Op: A co-op is an option that groups students by age for instruction. Students typically meet weekly at designated locations to participate in live lessons with other homeschoolers. This option is most appropriate for students who enjoy interacting with others.
The best way to ensure a successful transition from traditional learning to homeschooling is to have an open discussion with the student. Discuss where and how your student feels they learn best and why they think that is. This conversation will reveal which format will be the most beneficial.
Learning Benefits
One of the most notable benefits of homeschooling is that it provides individualized instruction that meets the needs of each student academically and personally. For instance, students who struggle with time management can adapt the timeline of their curriculum to suit their needs. Additionally, families who desire a specific religious focus can weave that within each lesson.
Students are free to engage with their studies beyond the classroom through field trips or lessons that target their personal interests. This more engaging material benefits all learners as it allows them to better understand and connect with their lessons. Furthermore, homeschool graduates are more likely to be accepted into a four-year college and less likely to need remedial courses.
State Regulations
There are no specific requirements that homeschoolers must follow to register with their state. However, it is crucial for parents considering homeschooling their children to check with their state’s laws.
Some states require homeschooling parents to notify the school system of the change in the student’s learning environment. A few even require parents or the homeschooling program to submit lesson plans and regular reports for review. Additional limitations include required home visits, monitored standardized tests, or mandated teaching certifications.
Other considerations include finding out if students can participate in extracurricular activities such as sports teams.
Next Steps
Now that you have a better understanding of how homeschooling works, all that is left to do is select the right program for you! While there are countless programs available today, the Grove Academy is undoubtedly one to consider.
The Grove Academy is Ashlee Grove’s micro-school. It is for all learners of all abilities who want a place to thrive and rekindle their love for learning.
It uses multi-sensory learning techniques and the latest research in neuroscience to develop a curriculum for each student. Each student in the Grove Academy receives a 4 to 1 instructional ratio. This ratio combines individualized attention with the ability to collaborate with fellow learners.
For more information on how homeschooling works and the Grove Academy, reach out to The Learning Team.
