Iowa Catholic Homeschooling - The Catholic Homeschool

Catholic Homeschooling in Iowa

How to Homeschool in Iowa

There are several ways to homeschool in Iowa, with options to do independent private instruction, opt out of reporting, use a parent-selected teacher or coordinate with a public school teacher. You can use the dual enrollment option to have your child take classes and do activities at your local public school.

Compulsory school age for homeschoolers is 6 to 16. You are free to select the homeschool methods and curriculum that work best for your family and for each individual child you are homeschooling.

Then connect with other homeschooling families in Iowa to get support and social opportunities. If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, you should notify your school district of your decision to homeschool in writing once you begin to homeschool.

Iowa Department of Education Home School Information
Families may choose to educate their children at home in Iowa. The Department of Education provides more information about homeschooling in Iowa, including forms, links to the laws regulating home education in Iowa, and information on dual enrollment for high school students.

Iowa Department of Education Private Instruction Handbook
This handbook provides parents, guardians, and custodians with the most current information available regarding private instruction in Iowa.

How to Comply with Iowa’s Homeschool Law
How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Iowa
Special Education Provisions for Iowa
The Importance of Recordkeeping in Iowa

Lobbying & Advocacy Organizations

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
HSLDA is the nation’s largest homeschool advocacy organization. They protect the rights of homeschoolers in court, advocate for homeschool freedom in state legislatures, and work to advance homeschooling in the public arena.

Homeschool Iowa
Homeschool Iowa exists to equip and encourage Iowa homeschooling families and to promote and protect home education in Iowa. They monitor and guide state and national legislation affecting homeschooling, defend the right to homeschool, and advocate for the least restrictive laws and policies for homeschooling in Iowa.

Catholic Homeschool Support Groups

Catholic Homeschool Association of Omaha (CHAO)
The Catholic Homeschool Association of Omaha (CHAO) is an organization of homeschooling families who support and encourage one another through monthly sharing in the Holy Mass and a variety of other educational, social and spiritual activities. They support the renewal of the family within the Church and the world.

Columbus Academy – Iowa Catholic Homeschooling Network
Iowa State-wide
Columbus Academy was formed in 1993 to support and encourage Roman Catholic families in Iowa that have chosen home education for their children. Activities include social gatherings, field trips, and a high school graduation Mass. This group stays connected through a web site, which contains a large variety of helpful information, as well as a forum through which members post questions, share advice, offer prayer requests, etc.

Dubuque Catholic Homeschoolers
Dubuque, IA
This is a group for Catholic homeschoolers in and around Dubuque, IA. They meet for socialization and learning opportunities.

Heart of Mary Educators
Moline and Southeast Iowa
Heart of Mary Educators is a local group and community of Catholic homeschoolers. They offer Mass opportunities, men’s and women’s groups, mentoring, a co-op, middle school youth group, Little Flowers, and Conquest for boys.

Sacred Heart Homeschoolers
Iowa City, IA
Sacred Heart Homeschoolers is a Catholic homeschool support group in Iowa City.

Siouxland Catholic Homeschool
Sioux City, IA
This group connects Catholic homeschoolers in the Sioux City area.

Veritas Catholic Academy
Cedar Rapids, IA
Veritas Catholic Academy is a home school support group which provides networking and support among Catholic home schooling families in the greater Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. They offer liturgical events and celebrations, family picnics, sledding parties, park days, ladies’ night out, couples’ night out, a book club, and field trip opportunities.

Catholic Homeschool Co-ops

Classically Catholic Memory Co-op
Ames, IA
CCM is a Catholic homeschool memory work program, classical in nature covering religion, Latin, science, math, history, geography, and language. It is both Catholic and classical in nature. It is designed for children ages 5 through 12, and each year of the program provides 18 weeks of memory work in each subject. CCM is run as a co-op model.

Heart of Mary Educators
Moline and Southeast Iowa
Heart of Mary Educators is a local group and community of Catholic homeschoolers. They offer Mass opportunities, men’s and women’s groups, mentoring, a co-op, middle school youth group, Little Flowers, and Conquest for boys.

Our Lady of Trust Catholic Co-op
Omaha, NE
Our Lady of Trust Catholic Co-op is a collaborative venture among home-educating parents who are, by the nature of the Sacrament of Matrimony, the primary educators of their children. The focus of this co-op is authentic Catholic teaching in a classical education manner. They offer classes from preschool to high school. This co-op meets at St. John Vianney in Omaha.

Do you know of any Catholic homeschool co-ops near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Hybrid Programs & Homeschool Academies

Catholic Schoolhouse
Cedar Rapids, IA
Catholic Schoolhouse is a supplemental program designed to help homeschool families enrich their educational experience through a flexible approach to learning inspired by classical elements presented in a structure environment. They serve students in grades K-8 and meet once a week during the school year.

Omaha Homeschool Learning Center
Omaha, NE
The Omaha Homeschool Learning Center is a Christian ministry, founded on ecumenical Catholic principles, which should be respected, but need not be accepted. Classes are open to all homeschoolers, regardless of religious orientation, but parents should be aware that classes may be taught from a Christian perspective. They do this by providing classes to supplement the home curriculum for all ages (3 through high school), bringing classes into one place and time and creating a community of learners and homeschool moms. Kids are free to study or socialize when not in class.

Regina Caeli Omaha
Omaha, NE
Regina Caeli Academy’s University-Style Hybrid approach offers both a strong family life enjoyed by homeschoolers and a formative, Socratic classroom experience for all students. They offer many extra-curricular activities, as well as college preparatory high school offerings.

St. Thomas Classical Academy
Des Moines, IA
This program offers a classical curriculum. It includes two days of classroom instruction, with lesson plans, reading, and skill work to be completed at home on the remaining three day. The program is available for children in grades 1st through 12th. They meet in the historic Franklin Jr High in Des Moines.

Veritas Catholic Academy
Cedar Rapids, IA
Veritas Catholic Academy is a home school support group which provides networking and support among Catholic home schooling families in the greater Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. They offer liturgical events and celebrations, family picnics, sledding parties, park days, ladies’ night out, couples’ night out, a book club, and field trip opportunities.

Do you know of any Catholic hybrid homeschool programs or homeschool academies near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Catholic Homeschool Conferences

The 2024 Catholic Homeschool Conference
Virtual Conference
June 7-8, 2024

This virtual conference features topics covering homeschool guidance, marriage and family, and character and virtue development. Speakers include Bishop Joseph Strickland, Emily Brown, Bonnie Landry, and more. There will also be a homeschool graduate panel. The Catholic Homeschool Directory is a virtual exhibitors hall. You can browse through curriculum, programs, tools, and businesses who support your family’s homeschool journey.

Rocky Mountain Catholic Home Educators Conference
Most Precious Blood, Denver, CO
July 12-13, 2024

This annual conference is independent and local, bringing in speakers from around the country. Featured speakers for 2023 include Maureen Wittmann of Homeschool Connections, Kerri Davison of Holy Heroes, Sara Masarik, and Ana Braga-Henebry. Conference attendees can browse through the vendors hall, go to workshops and talks, and network with other homeschoolers.

Kansas City Conference for Catholic Homeschoolers
Grandview, MO
Date TBA

This annual conference is offered to encourage homeschoolers in their vocations as Catholic home educators. Enjoy inspiring talks and presentations, a vendor hall with curriculum, books, and resources, and Mass, confession, and other devotions. Updates can be found on the Kansas City Catholic Homeschool Conference Facebook page.

Click to find more Catholic conferences across the US!

Local Classes & Programs for Homeschoolers

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Ames, Winterset, Fort Atkinson, Sioux City, Afton, Rockford, West Des Moines, Bettendorf, Indianola, Madrid, Elkhart, Urbandale, Iowa City, and Omaha, NE
CGS is a program focusing on the contemplation and enjoyment of God. It is shared in a place particularly prepared for the religious life of children called the Atrium.

National Catholic Committee on Scouting – Region 9

Archdiocese of Dubuque Catholic Scouting
This archdiocesan committee seeks to sustain and strengthen the relationship between the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church and to work cooperatively with local affiliates throughout the Archdiocese.

Diocese of Davenport Catholic Scouting
The Diocesan Office of Faith Formation in Davenport, through the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, oversees all aspects of Catholic Scouting for both girls and boys across Southeast Iowa. Their primary function is to facilitate preparation for Catholic Religious Emblem/Medal programs, serving as a resource to leaders needing materials or guidance in preparing youth, and also serve as the source for emblems and pins once a scout has completed requirements.

St. Theresa Catholic
Des Moines, IA
Offering Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts

St. Joseph Catholic Church
Marion, IA
St. Joseph is home to Boy Scout Troop 68 and Cub Scout Pack 68.

The Society of St. George of Iowa
The Society of St. George, established on December 17, 2021, is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to creating a community of Catholic Scouting Units. The Society of St. George believes that faith and scouting exploration help youth to be prepared to meet the challenges of our world and country.

Troops of Saint George
Troop 814 – Des Moines, IA
Troop 300 – Cedar Rapids, IA

American Heritage Girls:

Troop NE1980
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Omaha, NE

Troop NE0508
St. Patrick Catholic Church, Omaha, NE

Troop IA2015
St. Joseph Catholic Parish, Marion, IA

Troop IL8510
St. Mary Catholic Church, East Dubuque, IL

Do you know of any great local classes or programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Sports for Homeschoolers

Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Iowa
Students homeschooling under any legal option except the Independent Private Instruction or Opt Out may dual enroll with a public school to participate in any academic, extracurricular, or sports activities.

Do you know of any great sports programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Diocese & Parish Resources

Archdiocese of Dubuque
Diocese of Davenport
Diocese of Des Moines
Diocese of Sioux City

Shrines & Pilgrimages in Iowa

The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption
West Bend, IA
The Iowan magazine has described this site as a “miracle in stone.” At the Shrine, you can attend Mass and tour the nine grottos which depict scenes from the life of Jesus. The grotto houses the largest collection of minerals, fossils, and shells in one spot in the world.

Sacred Heart Cathedral
Davenport, IA

St. Ambrose Cathedral
Des Moines, IA

Basilica of St. John
Des Moines, IA

Cathedral of St. Raphael
Dubuque, IA

Basilica of St. Francis Xavier
Dyersville, IA

Trinity Heights
Sioux City, IA

Do you know of any Catholic pilgrimage sites or shrines that would be perfect for a homeschool field trip? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Field Trips in Iowa

Field Trips in Iowa – The Homeschool Mom

Homeschool Field Trips in Iowa

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