Parents Education Corner: Are You Considering Homeschooling in the New Year?
The start of a new calendar year means something different for each of us. For some, it's a chance to say goodbye to a challenging period and move forward. For others, it's an opportunity for a fresh start—time to set new goals and embrace new experiences. Many students are heading into the second semester of school with renewed ambitions, determined to finish strong. Some families are eagerly counting down the days to graduation, while others are considering homeschooling their children.
Dictionary Definitions from Oxford Languages:
home·school
/ˈhōmˌsko͞ol/
verb: homeschool; 3rd person present: homeschools; gerund or present participle: homeschooling; past tense: homeschooled; past participle: homeschooled; verb: home-school; 3rd person present: home-schools; gerund or present participle: home-schooling; past tense: home-schooled; past participle: home-schooled
educate (one's child) at home instead of sending them to a school.
There are many reasons families choose to homeschool their children—from the consistency of a tailored curriculum for military families who move frequently to providing a learning environment outside of the traditional school setting. As a military spouse and mother of four boys, I’ve considered homeschooling my sons. At one point, we even set up a designated homework room, and the boys shared rooms to create a quiet space for studying. But can that be considered homeschooling? Some may argue that the early years, from birth to preschool or kindergarten, are already a time when families engage in homeschooling, even if their children attend daycare. Personally, I couldn’t see myself homeschooling my sons, though I did consider it once or twice when they were in primary school. I've seen many successful homeschooled students, and I've also encountered well-intentioned families who are struggling with the homeschooling experience.
Considerations for Families Starting or Continuing Their Homeschool Journey:
If you are thinking about homeschooling, here are a few key questions to reflect on:
What curriculum will you use?
Does the curriculum meet your state's educational standards?
Is there a cost associated with the curriculum?
Will you use an online curriculum or join a co-op program?
Does your local school division offer resources to support homeschooling?
Will you be the primary teacher, or will you seek external help?
What will your daily schedule look like?
Where will schooling take place in your home?
If additional support or resources are needed, where can you access them?
What criteria will you use to assess whether homeschooling is effective for your child?
What timeline will you set to evaluate whether to continue homeschooling?
How will you assess your child’s academic progress annually?
Are there any colleges or universities that do not accept homeschooled students?
Resources for Families Considering Homeschooling:
For families already homeschooling or those who are considering it, I recommend the following resources:
Stafford County Public Schools
Fredericksburg City Public Schools
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Virginia Department of Education
Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) - Quantico
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: https://vahomeschoolers.org/guide
Home Educators Association of Virginia: https://heav.org/
At the end of the day, homeschooling is another option for families. As parents, we want to do what is best for our children. It’s important to educate yourself about the journey so that it benefits your child in the long run and for some families, homeschooling is the way.
"When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." -Alexander Den Heijer
