In my opinion, getting started homeschooling is one of the scariest parts, but it doesn’t have to be! There are so many questions when beginning researching. Can I just start homeschooling? Do I have to tell anyone? Can I teach whatever I want? What rules do I have to follow? In the next section, we will answer these questions and more! My goal for these blogs is to give you a little information at a time. Getting a ton of information at once is overwhelming.

Can I just start homeschooling?

I wish it was as easy as this BUT there are some things that you have to do before you start. The first step is the most important. This step requires you looking up your states requirements. Some states offer more freedom than others. It is important to know what your state expects you to complete each year. You can find each states requirements on the HSLDA website https://hslda.org/legal/

This website is super easy to navigate. When you click on your state, there is a short video explaining the requirements. I am pretty familiar with Tennessee, so can easily help you with those requirements. If you are in a different state, I would be happy to take a look and answer any questions I can. Just leave a comment or shoot me an email!

Do I have to tell anyone?

Yes! Telling who depends on a couple different things. You must decide if you want to homeschool independently through an umbrella school, or you may choose a co-op. You might be thinking, what does that even mean?

Homeschooling Options

– Umbrella School: private school structure that provides support and accountability for homeschooling families. These schools oversee the homeschooler’s records with administrative services that include managing student records, helping with curriculum selection and providing a transcript of courses completed, and even diplomas. It is important to research your umbrella school before enrolling. When deciding on an umbrella school, there are many things you need to keep in mind. Most umbrella schools I’ve found, will allow you to choose the curriculum that works best for your family but some may require you to use a certain curriculum. Some umbrella schools may require state testing. You must decide if that is something you find important or something you want to avoid. Certain umbrella schools will operate on a more hands off approach while some operate more hands on. There are some more expensive options with more support but there are also some very cheap options that are still good if money is tight. You will need to weigh the pros and cons of each to see what will benefit your family the most. If you need recommendations, I will be happy to help!

-Independent: If you homeschool independently, you will send a letter of intent (in some states) to the school district they are zoned for. You will be responsible to follow district rules for homeschooling. Those rules will vary. In Tennessee (check your district) students must complete state testing in certain grades. If students fail, schools will have an action plan you must follow to get students back on track.

Co-op: There are many different types of co-ops to choose from that best suits your family. There are academic co-ops and social co-ops. Once again, you get to choose what works best for your family! If you choose an academic co-op your child will be taught outside of your home. Some co-ops will teach your students 2-3 times a week and you will reinforce what they learn at home. Some academic co-ops are one day a week. There are social co-ops that just meet up for field trip or park days. These do not have a ton of formal learning happening but are still great if you are looking for some extra socialization.

Can I teach what I want?

In most cases, yes! There may be specific umbrella schools or co-ops that require you to use a curriculum of their choosing. Make sure that you research before you make your choice.

Overview

1. Research state laws
2. Research who you want to register through-umbrella, independent, co-op.
3. Make decisions and START!

This is not a super long post, but there is plenty of homework for you to do. You can get stuck on this step if you aren’t careful. While these decisions are important, these are not the steps you need to spend forever on. Do not get overwhelmed! You got this! Please let me know if you have any questions!

Let’s help other moms by commenting anything that helped you when starting out!