Quick answers to common homeschool questions

Is homeschooling legal in the US?

– Yes. It’s legal in every state.

Can anybody do it?

~ Homeschooling is an educational choice that any parent can make.

Can you homeschool just one child in a family or do you have to homeschool all of them?

– Parents may choose to homeschool as many children in a family as they want — either all the children, or just some.

How old do children need to be to start school?

– Legally, as old as state laws say they must be (if such language exists).  Practically, whenever parents decide children are ready.

Where can people find homeschool laws?

– On the Internet, from a support group, in a library, by asking a veteran homeschooler, or by checking with a school district.

How long does homeschool take each day?  Each year?

– It depends on how a family chooses to homeschool, and can take anywhere from an hour to all day, some days or all year long.

Do parents need to be wealthy and/or well-educated to homeschool?

-No.  In fact, studies have shown that all kinds of parents successfully homeschool, no matter how much they earn or how much school they completed.

Do parents need teacher training in order to homeschool?

– Parents know and care about their children more than anyone else does.  This makes them excellent candidates to teach every unique child in the household.

Is homeschooling hard to do?

– Homeschooling isn’t always easy, but isn’t difficult either.  At best, it’s productive, relaxed and joyful.  If challenges ever arise, modern homeschool families have access to many different products and services that make it much easier.

What does it cost?

– On average, families spend about $400-$600 per homeschooled child, per year.  But homeschooling can also cost a great deal more, or a great deal less, depending on products used and methods chosen.  Some families even homeschool practically for free.

Do homeschooled children have friends?

– Yes. Homeschooled students have friends and participate in activities just like other children do.

Do homeschoolers graduate?

– When they complete a sequential program of instruction through high school, homeschoolers finish just like other teens do.

Do they get diplomas?

– That depends on the state and how the families chooses to homeschool.  If a diploma is not issued automatically, families may issue diplomas on their own.

Do homeschoolers succeed in college?

– Actually, studies show that homeschoolers are very successful in college, often more than other graduates are.  They often get more aid and have high graduation rates, too.

How about in life?

– Homeschooling is no longer new, thus like other graduates, homeschoolers can be found everywhere in the US and around the world, in many career types and in many different positions.

Where can families get more information about homeschooling?

– Parents may purchase homeschool books and visit homeschool web sites like this one.  Other great sources of information are homeschool families, local and regional support groups, legal associations, and homeschool consultants/helpers.

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