Here are some commonly asked questions about homeschooling. If you have a question that is not listed below, feel free to ask us.
How do I get started homeschooling?
Click here to read our answer.
Am I qualified to homeschool my children?
The first qualification you already have. It is the desire to do what is best for your children. You don't need a teacher's degree. Remember, the basic qualifications to educate your children at home are determination, patience and love.
Is homeschooling legal?
Yes, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but the laws do vary in each state. Go to our resources section to find out the homeschooling laws in your state.
What about socialization?
Homeschooling can build self-confidence, independent thinking and lasting relationships with family. One of the biggest goals of educating your children at home is to build a good relationship with them. We believe that parents can have the best and the greatest influence on their children. It's not about sheltering your children, but raising them up with the ability to know why they are here and to know the difference between truth and error. It is also very important for your children to build positive relationships through extended family, friends, church, homeschool support groups, part time jobs, community service and extra-curricular activities such as sports, music and field trips. The final outcome is a well educated, socially responsible citizen, less peer dependent and able to confidently relate to people of all ages.
How do I keep grades?
My opinion on grades are a little different. It is not that I am against giving grades, but I just handle it differently. When my children did their work, they would hand it to me to correct. I would then correct it, mark the ones that were wrong and then I would hand it back for them to correct. By the time they finished correcting their paper, then it was 100% correct. So I felt that it was pointless to keep grades. I felt that it was more important for them to learn from their mistakes, than to keep grades. Curriculum builds on previously taught concepts, so if a child does not understand something, then I feel it is important for them to learn it, rather than hold them to what they did the first time through. Most of the time, when my children got something wrong, it was because of a hasty error. So when they took a second look, they knew immediately what they did wrong. So it was always a learning process for them.
If you still feel that keeping grades are important, then this is how you go about it. If for instance there were 10 problems for the lesson. Your child misses 2, multiply that number by 10 which makes 20 and subtract it from 100 and you will get 80%. So your grading may go something like this, 100-90%=A, 89-80%=B, 79-65%=C, below that would be a D and F. Now for each subject you would add up the grades like this: give a point value of 4 points=A, 3 points=B, 2 points=C, 1 point=D, & 0 point=F. Add all the points together and divide them by the number of letter grades given for that subject and that will give you the point value of the letter grade earned. So for example, if your student got 5 A's, 6 B's, & 2 C's in math for the quarter, then your would add up the point values for each grade given in math like this: 20 points =A's, 18 points=B's, & 4 points=C's. 20+18+4=42 total points divided by 13 (5As+6Bs+2Cs=13) total grades given= 3.2 which would be a B average grade for the quarter. That is how I would do the grades, if I were to keep grades. Personally, I let the SAT test scores be my report card as to how my kids were doing academically. But you do what you think is best. Keeping grades are fine, but allow the children to learn from their mistakes. That will make them a better student.
How do you know what to teach?
In our resources section we have a listed out the Typical Course of Study for each grade level. This should give you some good guidelines of what you need to cover in your child's grade level. If your child uses full curriculum such as from Alpha-Omega or Bob Jones University Press, he/she will learn everything he/she needs to know.
What if my child wants to learn something I can't teach?
Most children are capable of teaching themselves a subject they are interested in. Provide them the appropriate materials and books (such as from the library) and let them go with it. Remember that one of the best ways to homeschool your child is to learn something along side them.
There are also correspondence, video, support groups, community centers, colleges, etc. that offer classes in specific subject areas. I would encourage you to take advantage of those resources.
How can I decide on which curriculum is best for my children?
Our bookstore is designed to make it easy to find the subjects you need to teach your child. Before you buy curriculum, try to figure out whether a workbook-style curriculum or a textbook-style curriculum would be best for your child(ren). If you child is more hands-on, then using workbooks would probably be best. Otherwise using textbooks for your main curriculum is a great way to go. As an example of this, Alpha-Omega publishes Christian workbook curriculum which is great for kids who are more hands-on. On the other hand, Bob Jones University Press (BJUP) offers a wonderful textbook-based curriculum. These are both great curriculums, but they have different approaches to teaching the same thing. Sometimes you just have to see what works for you and your child(ren).
Are homeschool students allowed to use public school facilities such as computer labs and can they participate in select programs such as sports teams, driver's ed, etc.?
Alaska, California, Idaho and Iowa are among the states allowing access to classrooms for home-schoolers. Colorado, Illinois, Oregon and Washington grant access to after-school activities. Check your with your local school-district office to find out details.
How can I obtain a diploma for my highschooler and give them credits for their work?
It depends on if you want a state recognized diploma or simply an unofficial one. During your child's 8th grade year start thinking about the direction you want to take to complete high school. To achieve a diploma recognized by the state you need to be connected to a state-certified school, public or private. Check out our list of state-certified correspondence schools and online schools and classes that offer credits and diplomas. Also check with your local public school district to see if there any homeschool programs available. If you choose to give your son or daughter a diploma not recognized by the state, you (the parent) or a certified teacher can make up a transcript showing that the student has completed the requirements to graduate. To help make college admissions go smoother, a student can generally get a GED from a local community college. A GED is meant to show that a student has a high school level education but it does not necessarily replace a diploma.
North Atlantic Regional Schools will grant official credits to homeschool students for their high school work. This applies to students living anywhere in the USA.
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