Steps to Home Schooling

First Step

#1 Your State Requirements

Knowing your state requirements is important as each state is different.

We cannot stress the importance of this step!

While there are many comprehensive resources out there, such as the Home School Legal Defense Association, we recommend that you check your state's Department of Education website to ensure you have the most accurate and up to date information.

Second Step

#2 Homeschool Styles

The chart below lists a few of the most popular styles.

curriculum	DEFINED
CHARLOTTE MASON	“Directed learning approach, that strives to nurture a love for learning and reinforce good habits, rather than just having children memorize facts. This method consists of three important components: 1/3 atmosphere, 1/3 discipline, and 1/3 learning to “come to life”
TRADITIONAL	Creating the classroom setting in the home.
CLASSICAL	Systematic approach to learning. Focusing on the three stages of learning: Memorization/Repetition/ Analytics/Thinking Rhetoric.
THEME STUDY	Theme approached learning. Work is based around a common theme that fits in all subjects.
UNSCHOOLING	Child led learning. Greater consideration is given for each child’s interests and the timing of when they tackle various topics and skills.
ECLECTIC	Combination of the best homeschool styles that work for your family. Generally, means more parental input, but can shift in and out of child led.

Third Step

#3 Accredited versus Non-Accredited

The chart below lists a few of the most popular styles.

PATHWAY	PROS	CONS
ACCREDITED	You only keep track of what the school requests. The school keeps a record of all credits, hours, grades, and testing.	Curriculum follows state standards.
	More time and focus on the teaching effort.	Teaching may not line up with your beliefs, morals, and values.
	The child is learning material that is grade-level appropriate. Can easily transition back into the public or private school system.	More challenging to personalize the curriculum for your child. You have to work within the schedule and time frame you are given.
NON-ACCREDITED	No state standards to follow.	The parent is responsible to meet state requirements for home schooling. The parent will keep track of a portfolio, grades, testing, hours, transcripts.
	Choose a curriculum that is more tailored for your child.	The parent will need to submit what is required if ever transitioning back to the public school. You should learn the requirements for entering and exiting your school district.
	Teach spiritual and moral beliefs.	Will have to create a diploma stating requirements have been met.
	Less structure so your child will learn time management skills, to complete assignments on.	You are responsible for you child's progress and decide how to measure it.

Do you want to stay connected to a school or break away and pursue non-accredited?

Many choose to start with non-accredited education and change to accredited in middle school or high school years. If you foresee going back into the public school, please learn the expectations of your local school system.

Fourth Step

#4 Education Model Comparison

EDUCATION MODEL	FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE	SHARED COST	SOCIALIZATION	STRUCTURE	COMMUNITY OF SHARED VALUES	TIME INVESTMENT	PROVIDE CURRCIULUM	PROVIDE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES	LESS TIME COMMITMENT	NON-ACREDITTED-YOU CONTROL THE CURRICULUM	ACCREDITED -STATE STANDARDS	ACCREDITED OR NON ACCREDITED
HOME SCHOOL
HOME SCHOOL CO-OP
UMBRELLA / CHARTER HOME SCHOOL PRIVATE / PUBLIC (PROVIDE CURRICULUM)
UMBRELLA / CHARTER HOME SCHOOL PRIVATE / PUBLIC (YOU CHOOSE CURRICULUM)
MICRO-SCHOOL
MICRO-SCHOOL PARTNER W/PUBLIC, CHARTER OR UMBRELLA
HYBRID SCHOOL

Get Started

We understand that the concept of homeschooling your child may seem overwhelming at first. You may be thinking, “where do I start?” Questions such as: How do I know what to teach? What are the laws in my state? Can I connect with others going through the same scenario? Where will I find the curriculums I need? I am not a teacher; I have no idea what to do! Are there other parents out there in my community I can reach out to for help? What if my child is a special needs child? The questions are endless.

There is no such thing as perfection. Reimagine Education is about discovering what works for you and your child.

Understanding alternative schooling gives you full control of your child’s learning, which is truly empowering. You are and always will be your child’s first and foremost teacher. As with most things in life, we learn by trial and error. One thing we know for certain is that children learn best when they are having fun! So, let us begin by bringing the fun back into education, one step at a time!