How To Start Homeschooling

Embarking on your homeschool journey may seem daunting. But don’t worry—you can do it! You know your children best and can offer them the opportunity to learn in the best way possible for them. If you’re wondering how to start homeschooling your Catholic family, you’ve come to the right place!

More and more people are homeschooling every year. For the Catholic family, homeschooling is not just a way to teach your children reading, writing, history, and math. It is a lifestyle that encourages trust in God, growth in virtue, and a way to integrate your children’s education with our Catholic faith and practices.

Ready to get started homeschooling? These steps lay out a path to begin your family’s homeschooling life.

Learn the laws and reporting requirements in your state

One of the first steps to take when you are figuring out how to begin homeschooling is to get acquainted with the laws governing home education in your state. While homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, it is the states, not the federal government, that regulate homeschooling. These regulations include how to withdraw from public school, notification requirements, state guidelines for academic subjects, recordkeeping, attendance, and testing, and more.

Legal Support for Homeschoolers

Connect with support and mentoring near you

Don't worry! You won't have to go it alone when you start homeschooling. You'll be more successful in your homeschooling endeavors if you get support and connect to other homeschooling families right from the start. Not only will you get information and tips, you also will tap into opportunities for social activities, classes for homeschoolers, field trips, mentor support, and more. We've collected state support group resources to make it easy to find homeschoolers near you.

Support Groups

Discover your child's learning style

Everyone learns differently. One of the wonderful things about homeschooling is that you are able to tailor your homeschooling method, materials, and rhythm to your child's specific learning style and interests. Learning more about different learning styles may also help you discover how you learn and how you'd like to teach your children. Explore the four temperaments and how they relate to learning styles. With this understanding, you and your children can find peace and joy in learning.

Your Child's Learning Style

Explore homeschool methods and educational philosophies

There is a wealth of information to dig into about how people learn. Homeschooling practitioners often find a specific teaching method that matches their own temperament, goals, and interests. Explore some of the different ways that families learn together. Methods popular with Catholic homeschoolers include Classical Education, Montessori Catholic homeschooling, Charlotte Mason homeschooling, eclectic learning methods, traditional homeschooling, online classes, and unschooling.

Homeschool Methods

Choose your Catholic curriculum

There are many options for Catholic homeschool curriculum. We've put together a comprehensive listing of what is available, including packaged all-in-one curriculum, online classes, and science, math, and other curriculum. We also include classical education materials and curriculum to match different educational methods, like Montessori and Charlotte Mason. You can choose one provider for all your curriculum needs, or mix and match for a more eclectic approach.

Catholic Homeschool Curriculum

Develop your family's homeschool environment and rhythm

Contrary to popular belief, most homeschoolers do not conduct their learning days in a room set up with desks all facing the same way with a big whiteboard at the front. Homeschoolers learn at the kitchen table, on the couch, in the car, and outdoors. Sometimes there are little ones playing nearby, there are activities outside of the home, and daily household life to live. Learn how to foster a good learning environment and a rhythm to your homeschool days to make you more successful.

Develop Your Homeschool Environment

Attend Catholic homeschool conferences and events

A homeschool conference is a great place to connect with other homeschoolers in your community, attend educational workshops, get ideas for your own homeschooling, and browse through curriculum, resources, and homeschool materials. If you are a new homeschooler, a conference is a good way to find out if homeschooling is for you and to get lots of helpful info as you begin your homeschool journey. Veteran homeschoolers can connect with old friends and get fresh ideas.

Conferences/Conventions/Events

Love and enjoy each other as you learn and grow together

Homeschooling, at its core, is an exercise in love and joy. Learning alongside your children, meeting their needs, and enjoying each other's company is the true blessing of homeschooling. As you learn together, you will connect with the truth, beauty, and goodness of God's creation. Your family can grow closer through homeschooling. It also allows you to fully live your Catholic faith in your home and as you encounter the world around you.

Find Joy in Homeschooling