Making the Switch to Homeschooling: How to Contact Your Child's Previous School with your Intent
Making the decision to homeschool your child is important, and it's essential to take the proper steps to have a smooth transition. One of the first steps when becoming a homeschooling family is contacting your student's previous school to inform them of your decision. This can often feel like a daunting process, but with the right information and attitude, you can make sure that everyone involved is on the same page. In this post, we'll discuss how to prepare for and contact your student's previous school when switching from traditional schooling to homeschooling.
Step One: Remember Why You Decided to Homeschool
For many families, the decision to homeschool their children is one that can bring a variety of benefits. Homeschooling provides more control over curriculum and instruction, as well as increased flexibility in terms of scheduling and the student’s learning environment.
Parents who have decided to homeschool sometimes report that they felt pressured or intimidated by their child’s previous school to abandon their plan and to stay enrolled. Of course, this is not a universal experience, but if you do feel like you are being told it is challenging or even illegal to homeschool your children, know that in all 50 states parents have the legal right to homeschool their children.
Step Two: Contact the School
Once you have all of these documents together, it’s time to notify your child’s previous school. You may choose to contact them by phone or email if that is allowed in your area; if not, an in-person visit may be necessary.
While speaking with a representative, state your decision to withdraw them from their school and ask what is needed from you. For example, some states require parents to provide written notice of their intent to withdraw a student from a public or private school; in this case, you can ask the school employee where you can find that form.
Questions you can ask include:
- Is there an ideal time to withdraw, such as during a quarter break?
- What documentation do you need from me, and when do you need that documentation submitted by?
- What else can I do to help make the transition process smoother? If you have any outstanding fees and tuition payments due, the school may withhold releasing records until those payments are made.
Once contact has been made with the school personnel, it's important to stay in contact until withdrawal is finalized. Stay polite yet firm when discussing any issues that might arise during this transition period; oftentimes administrators won't understand why you're opting out of traditional schooling until they hear more information regarding the benefits associated with homeschooling, such as increased flexibility in scheduling. Additionally, follow-up conversations also allow you to ask follow-up questions or check in on paperwork being sent by the school.
Step Three: Gather the Needed Documentation
As you withdraw from the school, it is time to prepare for the transition by gathering all necessary paperwork and records related to your child's previous schooling experience. This documentation includes, but may not be limited to:
- Report cards (grades prek-8) or transcripts (grades 9-12)
- Immunization records or immunization waivers
- Birth certificates
Other documentation may be required by your state and/or requested by a homeschooling program. Compile a list of what documents you need to gather and who to send it to.
Making the switch from traditional schooling into homeschooling can seem overwhelming at first, but with careful preparation and open communication between all parties involved (including teachers and administrators), it doesn’t have to be! By following these steps and taking advantage of all the benefits associated with homeschooling, parents can rest assured knowing they are providing their child with an educational opportunity tailored specifically for them.
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.
