Whether your family has decided to start homeschooling with the first child in Kindergarten or is making the transition with all their kids in different grade levels, there are many questions and factors to consider so the more information reviewed in advance, the easier the process becomes. The first step is finding Texas’ best online homeschool and checking out the state’s requirements for using this method of education. For families who want to enroll students through an accredited online homeschool program, check with Admission specialists to ensure the school meets the guidelines, has excellent curriculum and an established transition program for each grade up through graduation. These factors ensure that students have a positive experience whether they are homeschooled for one year or their entire educational journey.
The first set of questions typically relate to the operational side of homeschooling such as whether parents need to be full-time teachers or can they utilize the program’s instructors, what does the school year look like and how do students complete the work. In general, the top homeschool programs offer print curriculum for the younger grades with parents acting as the teacher in K-2nd and then offering a full or hybrid teaching transition for students starting in 3rd grade when they also have the option to switch to the online portal. All lessons are completed according to the curriculum with lesson plans and progress guides available to keep everyone on track with the designated schedule. The benefit of homeschooling is that parents and kids can setup the daily schedule in any way that works for the personal dynamics but it is recommended that it remains consistent to help with rhythm and commitment to the program.
Another set of commonly asked questions relate to what type of homeschool program should the family look for and the answer is simple, Texas’ best online homeschool that is accredited, offers grades K-12th grade and has a positive reputation in the homeschooling community. Accreditation is a critical feature that not every homeschool program has achieved, but it becomes important when high school students are sending their transcripts to colleges for admission and the board needs to have a way of measuring the integrity of the courses. Homeschool programs that have several accreditations will have earned each of them through different associations and they have to maintained and renewed periodically through a review to ensure the program is still meeting the necessary standards. By enrolling in a program that offers all grades, families have the flexibility to homeschool for any length they want to and the accreditation can help if students transition back to a traditional public school with record transfer and course acceptance. Parents should also expect that the top programs will require grade level assessment and documents to get kids formally enrolled in the platform and the appropriate grade.
Finance is always part of the questions asked by families because the majority of programs have some level of cost unless the student is being enrolled in virtual learning through the public school system. Homeschooling is an investment in a child’s education so it’s important to balance the financial costs for what is manageable by the family but not necessarily the cheapest option. Typical costs include tuition, books and extracurricular fees which should be minimal unless the student is specifically using the program’s tools for skill classes or electives. The actual cost of enrolling in the program will vary across the different platforms so it is important to take the price into account along with the other factors such as curriculum, professional teacher involvement, customer service and overall comfort with the program and its services. Payment plans are usually available so parents can choose to pay the entire amount at one time or make monthly installments via the portal. Discounts may also be available if multiple students are enrolled or families fall within a designated group of careers.
After getting all questions answered to get started with the homeschool program, the last group of questions may center around how to get things set up at home to make this a positive and productive experience. The best resource for these questions is local homeschool groups and families experienced in this process who can provide tips and recommendations on how to avoid common pitfalls, best implementations and making the most of flexibility with organization and effective management. Homeschool groups can be found by searching online and finding local associations or co-ops where parents can find support and a way to connect students with peers for field trips, study groups and other opportunities.
Take time to come up with a list of questions and look at FAQs on the website for online homeschool programs to see what others have asked. More information is better when getting started with learning at home to ensure that everything is set up in the best way possible and students are enrolled in a quality program.
