The decision to transition from public school to homeschooling can be an intimidating one. After all, you are responsible for your child’s education, and there are a lot of variables to consider. But with careful preparation and the right support system, you can rest assured that the shift will be a smooth one. With that in mind, here are ten tips to help you make a successful transition from public school to homeschooling.
1. Research the Advantages and Disadvantages
It’s important to understand the pros and cons of homeschooling so you can make an informed decision. Homeschooling provides more control over your child’s learning environment, but it can also be a challenging task for parents who are already stretched thin.
If you’re interested in homeschooling but are unsure if you have enough time to do it well, keep reading! There are support groups and systems in place to aid you in this journey.
2. Talk to Other Homeschoolers
Networking with other homeschoolers can be very valuable and helpful in navigating this important transition in helping you navigate the transition. Reach out to local homeschool groups, attend conferences, or search for online forums to get advice and support from experienced or seasoned homeschoolers who have been in your shoes.
You can join groups such as the Enlightium Academy Parent’s Panel Facebook group where you can connect with other Enlightium families to share achievements, ask questions, and get ideas about homeschooling. For many families considering homeschooling, these groups often answer questions that you haven’t thought to ask - just by joining their conversations.
3. Review the Admissions Deadlines
When transitioning from public school to homeschool, make sure you are familiar with the admissions deadlines for any classes or extracurricular activities your child may want to participate in through a local institution or organization.
Enlightium Academy offers open enrollment. This means that you can enroll your children at any time! You should also review your state’s requirements for enrollment times and procedures.
4. Investigate Curriculum Options
There are many different approaches to choosing a curriculum for your homeschooler — traditional textbooks, online courses, group classes, or unschooling — so take the time to explore what’s available and find something that works best for your family.
At Enlightium, students in the Homeschool Program (grades PreK-8) can use book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3-12) can use the digital Christian curriculum, "Ignitia". Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 3-12) can use a collection of the best curriculum options on the market. Each curriculum includes Bible, English, math, science, social studies, and electives courses.
Click here to learn about the curriculum used at Enlightium Academy and find the curriculum option that works best for your family.
5. Set up an Appropriate Workspace
Having an organized workspace at home is essential for successful homeschooling — whether it’s a desk in a quiet corner of the house or a spacious classroom-style setup, make sure your child has plenty of room and access to supplies they need each day (e.g., books, laptop). And be sure to include a comfortable chair, that will be at the right height for typing.
6. Create a Supportive Schedule
Establishing a daily routine will help keep your student on track with their work while also providing structure within their day-to-day lives (e.g., set aside dedicated time periods for studying/homework, playtime/recess). We have learned that many families in the academy create schedules that include dedicated breaks, lunchtime, playtime, AND exercise! But of course, each child is unique and homeschooling gives you the opportunity to create a unique schedule, one that works perfectly for your student and with your other family schedules.
7. Develop an Accountability System
As parents, we all want our children to succeed academically — that means setting high expectations but also holding them accountable when necessary. Whether it’s weekly check-ins with their teacher or goal-setting exercises at home, create systems that promote responsibility and reinforce positive study habits in order to ensure success in the long run.
In our school, we offer “Enrichment Fridays” which parents can use in whatever way is best for their students. Many families use Friday for Enrichment Days unless the student is behind in their assignments for whatever reason, then Friday can become a “catch-up” day! No new assignments are given on Fridays. Most people agree that we could all use a “catch-up” day now and then!
8. Make Learning Fun
Encourage creativity by bringing new life into lessons through games, field trips, experiments, and more! If learning starts becoming tedious or unenjoyable for your child, then it might be time to switch things up with some fresh activities every now and then — just don’t forget about having fun!
9. Recognize Accomplishments
Celebrate victories big and small as part of motivating yourself and your child throughout the educational journey — from completing assignments ahead of schedule to mastering difficult concepts — recognize progress along the way, no matter how small it may seem!
10. Enlist Professional Help
Remember that you don't have to take on this transition alone - enlist professional help if needed! Consider hiring an experienced tutor or mentor who can provide additional guidance if needed - there is no shame in seeking assistance when embarking on such an important journey as transitioning from public school to homeschooling!
Making this change does not have to be daunting; with a little research and preparation paired with proper support systems in place, you will be well on your way towards achieving success as you transition from public school education into homeschooling! Best of luck during your transition! We can promise you that If you decide to work with our teams, you will have the support you need.
Enlightium Academy is a private Christian online school that serves homeschooling families by offering a Bible-based, flexible, accredited, teacher-supported, and affordable education from the comfort of your home. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (509) 319-2288, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.