Feeling that push to start homeschooling? It's a lot to deep dive into something you never thought you'd do but here you are! Here are some basics to help get you more comfortable with the process and options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Homeschool Laws vary by state. Some are as simple as turning in an affidavit and some require you to turn in annual portfolios for specific courses. To check your state homeschooling laws click here: https://hslda.org/legal.
For Utah, you print an affidavit here, fill it out and turn it into the school district. They'll give you a temporary certificate and you'll get the official one in the mail. I had to sign mine in front of a notary (Most banks have one on site and will do it for free).
The most common Utah options for homeschool funding are listed below. Most of these have application deadlines so make it a priority to apply and then keep doing your research to make sure the fit is right. If you are outside of Utah, do a google search for similar programs to see what your state offers!
Open Ed: formerly My Tech High (Utah/Colorado/Oregon): This is the funding option we use. There is a lot of information which makes it overwhelming to start, but once you've gone through it, it is easy and simple to figure out. I have a separate blog post here that breaks down the way we have used it. Or you can go directly to their page to read up on how it works.
My Harmony (Utah, Tennessee/ Hawaii/Idaho): I personally haven't used this program but know a lot of people do. Similar set up to MTH, but comes down to preferences like if you'd rather turn in weekly learning logs or term portfolios.
Utah Fits All Scholarship: This is the Utah bill that was recently passed to provide funding for homeschool students. They are just heading in to the first year of offering this so much of how this works is still unknown. We applied, but were in the 7000's on the wait list Here is a list of other states that offer similar State funding.
Hybrid Options: If you feel nervous about fully committing to taking on homeschooling your kids all by yourself, there are many options that could help ease the load!
Canyon Grove Academy, Franklin Discovery, Academy, Kimber Academy, Ignite Entrepreneurship Academy, Da Vinci Academy Flex, Leadership Academy of Utah, American Heritage LiftEd, Lumen Scholar Institute, Athenian eAcademy.
*Because these schools provide funding or classes you cannot do these plus the other funding options above. You only can do one or the other.
Co-Ops: From nature groups, field trips, weekly get togethers and mom's night out the best way to find a co-op that fits your needs is to search. Get on your community's local homeschool facebook group and search "co-op" lots of options will pull up in your area. These facebook groups also provide a lot of help, encouragemnet and friendships with people in the same boat as you.
If you have neighbors or friends that also homeschool, get with them and create your own! Trade subjects or days that you teach, choose the frequency, and learn off of each others strengths. The possibilities are endless!
By far the biggest concern majority of parents have when deciding to pull their kids, Which is funny because once you do it, you'll laugh that you were even worried about it at all.
Get your kid involved in activities. They won't only make friends with similar interests, but they'll learn skills and life lessons.
Join a co op that meets up for playdates. Even if kids are shy at first the more they are around that group the more comfortable they'll get. If your or your kid struggles socially- what a great way for them (or you) to learn more about socialization and how to interact with others. Teach, learn and grow beside your child to help them overcome this.
And on the flip side, think of all the social things your child WON'T be learning from other kids at school... (🎤mic drop). That right there is enough to make the pull.