Thinking About Homeschooling? Here’s How to Get Started

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Mom teaching her child

The last couple of years have really changed the way people view homeschooling. More families are exploring it—not just because of temporary school closures or concerns about curriculum, but because they want more flexibility, personalized learning, and time with their children.

If you’re considering homeschooling, the good news is that there’s no one "right" way to do it. But there are some important steps to take before jumping in. Whether you're starting fresh with your kindergartener or pulling your teen out of public school, here's a roadmap to help you get started with confidence.

1. Start With Communication

Before you make any major changes, talk it through. Speak with your spouse or partner, reach out to homeschooling families, and most importantly, include your children in the conversation.

Even though we started homeschooling from the beginning, I made it clear to our kids that if they ever wanted to try public school, we’d talk about it. I’ve also seen families pull their children out of public school where they were happy and thriving just to follow a trend. Unfortunately, those stories don’t always have a happy ending.

It’s important to understand what your kids need and how they feel. This journey works best when it’s a family decision made together.

2. Know Your State’s Legal Requirements

Homeschooling laws vary widely across the U.S., and it’s essential to understand what’s required in your specific state.

For example, in our state, we’re required to submit a Notice of Intent/Home School Waiver each year. Other states may require standardized testing, teacher evaluations, or portfolio reviews.

The HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) is a great resource to check your state’s homeschool laws: https://hslda.org

If you're transitioning from public school, be sure to talk to your school district. There may be withdrawal forms, records to request, or re-enrollment policies you should understand in case you ever decide to return.

3. Choose the Right Curriculum for Your Family

One of the biggest benefits of homeschooling is flexibility—you get to choose the curriculum that works best for your child’s learning style and your teaching style.

Some children thrive with hands-on learning or outdoor time. Others love worksheets, videos, or games. You don’t need to find the “perfect” curriculum on day one. Start with something simple and adjust as you learn more about what works best.

When my kids were little, we used a mix of School Zone and Abeka for the basics, and added Khan Academy for online learning. It took a little experimenting, but we found a rhythm that worked.

There are also all-in-one programs like The Good and the Beautiful, Easy Peasy Homeschool, or Masterbooks that can be helpful starting points. I’ll try to link to some of the ones we’ve used or heard good things about soon.

4. Create a Record-Keeping System

Good records aren't just helpful for tracking your child’s progress, they’re essential for long-term planning.

If you’re homeschooling through high school, you’ll eventually need a transcript for college or job applications. I recommend getting in the habit of tracking things early. For us, I created report cards and attendance records for each semester and stored them in a binder. It sounds simple, but it saved me so much time later.

For high school transcripts, you can:

  • Make your own in a word processor or spreadsheet

  • Download free templates

  • Use a service like Homeschool Tracker or Transcript Maker

Just make sure your transcript includes:

  • Student and homeschool name/info

  • Courses, grades, and credits earned

  • Total GPA

  • Graduation date

  • Grading scale

  • Your signature and date

Even if you don’t think your child will go to college, it’s better to have it ready than to scramble later.

5. Find Your Support System

This one is so important that I wanted to include it as its own step.

Homeschooling can be wonderful, but it can also feel lonely—especially if you're doing it for the first time or don't know anyone else homeschooling. Find people who will support you, encourage you, and share resources. This could be:

  • Local homeschool co-ops

  • Church groups

  • Online communities (Facebook groups, forums, etc.)

  • Local libraries or community centers that offer homeschool days

Not only will it give your kids a chance to socialize, but you’ll feel less alone in the process. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn from others. We all started as beginners.

Final Thoughts

Homeschooling is not always easy, and it’s not always perfect but it is worth it. You get to watch your kids grow and learn in real time. You get to customize their education to meet their needs, their pace, and their interests. And yes, you’ll also learn a lot about yourself along the way.

These are just a few tips to help you start your homeschooling journey. If you have questions, feel overwhelmed, or just want to connect with someone who’s been there, don’t hesitate to reach out. I hope this helps! 

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