Homeschooling 101: Area Mom Explains How to Get Started

For eight years, my two sons, ages 12 and 14, my husband, and I have pursued the art of homeschooling.

My husband and I were attracted to a home-centered lifestyle and the chance to provide individualized instruction. But the fact that tipped the scales was my husband’s Tuesday through Saturday work schedule.

To have more family time, we pulled our oldest son out of public school after kindergarten. His teachers said he was one of the top students in his class – so my secret voice reassured me that he wouldn’t fall too far behind as we tested the homeschool waters.

It has worked. With a less-structured learning schedule, we have time to walk upstream in the creek beside our house to see where it goes, make beaded jewelry and sell it at the Farmers Market, and immerse ourselves in the Revolutionary War era at Colonial Williamsburg.

Homeschooling has also formed me. I have come to think of myself as more of a facilitator than teacher, introducing my kids to living narrative books, great places, interesting people and practical life skills.

Are you intrigued? Then let me address some of the concerns of new homeschoolers, starting with the legalities of homeschooling. Readers might not know that these laws are set by each state and not the federal government.

When our clan moved to Berea in 2011, we had to learn the ins and outs of Kentucky law. The Kentucky Board of Education publishes a helpful Homeschool Information Packet on its website with the basic requirements.

Nothing is too onerous: The main requirements are writing a letter to the school district, and keeping attendance and scholarship records.

Another common concern of new homeschooling parents is choosing the academic content and the homeschool method that fits their family. Do not be intimidated if you are not a certified teacher. I have a bachelor’s degree in communication – not exactly a common school subject – and no advanced training or degree.

I have found wisdom about how best my children learn through other homeschool parents and my own experience as a life-long learner.

Some families choose a formal, school-style program. The state Information Packet recommends two on-line programs certified by the Kentucky Department of Education. Other families choose a cottage school or academic center, where expert teachers instruct in one or more subjects. There are several cottage-style schools in Fayette County.

Most parents go the route of implementing their own homeschool curriculum. A word of advice – DO NOT do a Google search for homeschool curriculum and begin searching! Even experienced home teachers get overwhelmed.

Instead, begin with resources that help you discover what style of homeschoolers your family might be, then choose resources that utilize that style.

To us, having a homeschool community is a must. We have been part of a homeschool co-op in Berea for seven years and the group has become part of our extended family.

Once a week, my kids do projects with friends and I get time with other parents, sharing the joys – and the challenges – of homeschooling with people who really understand. And we have a sounding board for questions like, “How do you follow this part of the Kentucky law?” and “What do you do for math?!”

There are lots of factors to consider when choosing a cottage school or co-op: religious and philosophical views; level of required parental participation; amount of instruction; and cost.

As I have learned by homeschooling, the important thing is finding the right fit, for your family, right now.


Local Homeschooling Resources

State Information Packet:
http://education.ky.gov/federalfed/Douments/Kentucky%20Homeschool%20Information%20Packet.pdf

Homeschool styles:
www.homeschool.com/new/difstyles.asp
https://homeschoolbase.com/homeschooling-methods/

Cottage Schools: 
Bluegrass United  (For high school students)
Lexington Latin School (For Jr. K-12th grade)
Veritas Christian Academy (For Jr. K-12th grade)

Co-ops:
Bluegrass Homeschool Learning Co-op  (Has strong theater program)
Christian Home – Educators of the Bluegrass  (For grades 6-12 with co-op classes for younger children.)
Classical Conversations (Has several locations throughout the region)
Lexington Independent Homeschool (Very diverse membership)
Seat of Wisdom Homeschool Cooperative (For Catholic families)