Before my husband and I decided to homeschool, we had lots of questions — just like you. I got on Google and did lots of research, and I even contacted a homeschool mom and asked her question after question. When I started, I realized I couldn't find all my answers in one place; I had to search many different pages to piece it together, and what I really wanted was to talk to someone who had been there and done that. So I've gathered the most common homeschool questions here, answered by a mom who's lived it. I hope having them all in one place helps you decide what's best for your children and your family.
Getting started
What should I know before I start homeschooling?
There are three things to do before you begin. First, find out your homeschool laws for your state. Second, figure out which of the 10 types of homeschooling fits your family best. Third, join or find a homeschool group in your area.
How do I start homeschooling?
Find out your state's homeschool laws, decide which type of homeschooling fits your family, select the curriculum that matches that style, and then join or find a homeschool group in your area. (I break this down further in How to Homeschool in 4 Easy Steps.)
Why do parents decide to homeschool?
Every family decides for a different reason. Ours was a tough decision we didn't make overnight — my husband and I had many conversations and prayed about what would be best for our child. We wondered whether we could give him the education he needed and teach him the social skills he deserved. After all those conversations, prayers, and talks with other homeschooling parents, we decided homeschooling was best for our family. So in 2012 I started teaching my son, and I haven't looked back.
What certifications or qualifications do you need to homeschool?
According to the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE), most states do not require parent qualifications to homeschool. But there are 11 states that require a high school diploma, GED, college credits, or completion of a homeschool study course: Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Always check your own state's requirements.
What is a homeschool-friendly state?
A homeschool-friendly state is one with little to no regulations — laws that are more laid back than other states. These states don't require parents to participate in home visits, standardized testing, or professional evaluations, or to provide test scores. (See the full list in Do You Live in a Homeschool-Friendly State?)
Cost & curriculum
How much does it cost to homeschool?
It can cost as much or as little as you want — I know that sounds funny, but it's the truth. When I first decided to homeschool, I looked into free curriculums, boxed curriculums, and everything in between. Some of the most popular options include My Father's World, A Beka, Sonlight, Bob Jones (BJU Press), K12, Khan Academy, Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool, Alpha Omega, Time4Learning, Classical Academic Press, Acellus Power Homeschool, Memoria Press, Oak Meadow, Veritas Press, Timberdoodle, Calvert Education, and The Good and the Beautiful.
What curriculum do you use?
I chose a Christian-based homeschool curriculum for my children — we use My Father's World and I love it. It comes with all the lessons planned out and all the worksheets I need, and I love how the Bible and God's Word are woven in. My Father's World even suggests which math and language programs to use for the older grades, and its history curriculum is designed for teaching multiple grades at once.
Can I homeschool for free?
Yes, you can homeschool for free. There are so many free resources these days: your local library, YouTube, free online curriculums, free printable worksheets, Googling fun and interesting topics to study, borrowing old homeschool books from other families, and field trips. Homeschooling doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.
Is it cheaper to homeschool than public or private school?
It's not a simple yes or no — it depends on the curriculum you choose. Some curriculums can cost as much as private school, and some are free. The answer depends on what you pick and what's best for your child and family.
Concerns & benefits
Is it bad to homeschool?
In my opinion and experience, homeschooling is not a bad thing. Sometimes people worry that homeschooled children aren't socialized enough, that parents aren't qualified, or that kids aren't really doing schoolwork — but I can only speak from experience. Both of my children have friends and interact easily with people of any age, they volunteered at our local food pantry from an early age, they're active in our church, and we're members of a local homeschool group.
How does homeschooling benefit the child?
Homeschooling benefits children in many ways. Your child gets one-on-one time that helps them learn, and they get to go at their own pace — moving on quickly when something clicks, or taking more time to master a skill when they need it. Homeschooled children also get the benefit of learning real life skills alongside their core subjects.
Do a lot of parents still homeschool for religious reasons?
Some do, but there are many other reasons parents homeschool today — special needs, or a local public school system that's failing, among them. We use a Christian-based curriculum, but that's not the only reason we homeschool. We love the flexibility, being together as a family, and letting each child learn at their own pace.
Do you recommend homeschooling?
I highly recommend homeschooling! I know it may not be the best fit for every family, but it's wonderful for ours. I was scared and worried at first, but with the support of other homeschooling moms, I found what works best for us.
Testing, socialization & daily life
Do homeschoolers have to take standardized tests?
Some states do require homeschoolers to take standardized tests, which is exactly why it's so important to know your state's homeschool laws. If you're unsure, HSLDA is a great resource.
Do homeschooled students have to take the SAT and ACT?
This depends on your state's laws, but homeschooled students who plan to attend college are generally required to take the SAT and/or ACT. I'd recommend checking HSLDA and contacting the college your child wishes to attend to see what they require.
How do homeschooled children socialize?
This is the number one question I get. My usual response is, "Do you send your children to school to socialize or to learn?" In my experience, most kids don't get to socialize much at school anyway — they can't talk during class, in the halls, or in the lunchroom. My own children are very well socialized: they volunteered at a food pantry, attend homeschool events and field trips, go to library activities, and are involved in sports like gymnastics, soccer, and taekwondo. There are so many options — homeschool groups and co-ops, library and church events, volunteering, sports, field trips, scouting programs like Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, American Heritage Girls, and Trail Life USA, homeschool skate and bowling days, and local children's theater.
What is a homeschool co-op?
A homeschool co-op is basically where a group of homeschool families get together once or twice a week and work together toward a common goal. Co-ops are generally based around academics, arts and crafts, activities, community projects, or social time, and they're typically taught and led by parents. Not all co-ops are the same, so learn about one before you sign up.
Do you get homework if you're homeschooled?
If you think about it, all the schoolwork we do at home is homework! But for now my children aren't required to do additional schoolwork at night. That may change as they get older or if they're working to master a skill — it differs from family to family.
What time do homeschoolers wake up?
This is different for every family. For us, we typically wake up between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., eat breakfast, and start our homeschool day around 9:30 a.m.
Do you need patience to homeschool?
People often say, "I don't have the patience to do that." The truth is we all have good days and bad days, and we all have some form of patience — it's up to you when and where you use it.
Do homeschoolers get sick days?
Yes, we get sick days. In our house, a little cough or sniffle doesn't count — to get a sick day, one of us has to be running a fever over 100 and dealing with an upset stomach.
Do homeschoolers have friends?
Yes! Most homeschoolers have friends across different age groups, rather than just their own age. My children have friends from other homeschool families, from church, from the neighborhood, and from their extracurricular activities — and they even keep in touch with children they meet on vacation.
Do homeschoolers wear pajamas all day?
I wish I could wear my pajamas all day — I stay in them as long as I can! Most of the time we do our homeschool work in our pajamas, but every day we have somewhere to be: errands, the library, karate, gymnastics, or playing outside. This is another thing that differs from family to family.
You've got this
Homeschooling comes with a mountain of questions at the start — that's completely normal. The more you learn, the more the worry fades and the excitement grows. If you still have a question I didn't cover, I'd love to hear from you on the contact page. And when you're ready to begin, my Start Here page ties it all together. Grab the free starter checklist below to take with you.
Free homeschool starter checklist
A simple one-page checklist to start your homeschool year with confidence.
No spam, ever. See our Privacy Policy.