Enrolling in Public School After Homeschooling
As your child grows and changes, so does the way they learn best. What works for one year might not be ideal for the next. Whether due to changes in your family’s circumstances or simply changes in how your child wants to learn, you may consider enrolling back in public school after homeschooling.
As children get older, and as their studies get more advanced, homeschool parents often begin to consider sending them to public or private schools instead of homeschooling. However, it can be difficult to navigate such a large change. Going back to public school after homeschooling can be daunting!
Thankfully, most schools try to make it as hassle-free as possible. In this guide, we’ll provide some tips for making the back-to-school transition easier — as well as some tips to help you make the decision.
1. Decide why you are wanting to send your child to school
Maybe your child is reaching more advanced studies that you can’t help them with, or they’ve expressed a need for more social opportunities. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to identify why you’re wanting to send them to school. Common reasons that homeschoolers return to public school include:
- Parent gets a new job
- Moving
- Inability to continue the full commitment to homeschooling
- Affordability
- Your child simply wants to go to school
These reasons are just to name a few! There are plenty of reasons why homeschooling may not be a good fit anymore. Deciding to go back to public school is a personal choice, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
2. Talk to your child about it
Communication is important to maintain a good relationship with your child but also to maintain their relationship with their education. Include them in the decision-making process, if possible, and ask them how they feel about it. Explain the benefits of public schooling and dissuade any misconceptions or fears they may have.
When your student is returning to school after homeschooling, you may want to explain to them that the school’s curriculum may not match the one they’ve used in homeschool. They may feel a bit ahead or behind in some subjects, but that’s OK! Assure them they will be able to find their learning sweet spot soon!
Involving your child can help them feel responsible for the decision and for their own education, which can improve their self-efficacy.
3. Know your laws
A large part of home education is knowing the homeschool laws in your state, from the start of the process to the very end. Some states do require you to notify the Department of Education that you are closing your homeschool. Make sure to check with your local district to see if there are any exit tasks for you to complete.
4. Choose the right time
Transitioning between semesters, at the beginning of a new year, and before starting high school are the easiest periods to make the switch. Younger students tend to adapt to their new environment faster, but with the right steps, it can be done at any time. High school can present particularly difficult circumstances due to credit transfers and graduation requirements, so be sure to gather your student’s transcripts if they’re in grades 9-12.
5. Contact the school your child will attend
Be sure to contact the school early before enrolling your child. Ask what they require for grade placement and enrollment, as well as any required assessments. Some schools may ask for your portfolio or assessment records, or they may require your student take a placement test. Having standardized test scores ready can be a huge determining factor on your child’s grade placement, so it’s a good idea to take them yearly.
You should also be prepared to present your child’s immunization records, birth certificate, and proof of residence.
Another helpful idea is asking if you and your student can tour the school. It can help you decide if you’d like your student to attend and can help your student get familiar with their new school before their first day.
5a. Transferring a high school student
If you have a high school student, credit transfer is important to consider to ensure your child can graduate on time. There are state minimum graduation requirements, but individual high schools can create their own additional requirements.
To earn a state-recognized diploma from a public high school, it’s common for students to pass proficiency exams to earn credit for the course. If necessary, you may ask your administrator if your student can test out of a course instead of retaking it.
However, If your current high school curriculum doesn’t match the state minimum standards, your student could be a few credits short compared to their peers. If this happens, ask if summer courses are an option to make up the missing credit. To avoid this, it’s good practice to keep an eye on your state’s graduation requirements when your homeschool student begins the 9th grade.
6. Start preparing at home
If your homeschool student starts learning at 10:00 a.m., and they eat when they’re hungry, sticking to a school’s schedule can be jarring. You can help prepare your student for the change by following the new school’s routine, waking up early and eating at the same time every day.
If you’re concerned about your child being behind in certain subjects, now is the time to focus on those areas so they don’t fall behind their classmates. Your school’s record assessment or placement test should be able to give you an idea of how your child is performing. If you have any questions or concerns about this, contacting the school’s counselor or interventionist could be a great resource!
7. Take time for yourself
Transitioning from homeschooling to public schooling can be a huge change! It may be difficult to have to follow immovable school rules and policies, and dropping your student off every day can be heart-wrenching. It’s important to think about you and your student’s feelings — is your student happy? What are you feeling, and why do you think that is? If your student is enjoying themselves, enjoy it with them! They can tell you about all the fun things they do and all the new friends they make at school, and you may be able to decompress from your busy homeschooling schedule.
Make the Switch Easy with Miacademy
When you begin homeschooling, it’s good to keep in mind that your children may need to return to traditional schools one day. Planning for the future can help keep the road ahead smooth and steady. Here are some ways that Miacademy can help make your switch from homeschool to public school easy:
1. Detailed, comprehensive grade reporting
Miacademy automatically grades all your child’s lessons and allows for multiple attempts (with your permission). With our powerful Parent Portal, you can easily create a report card or transcript to show your student’s new school the units and lessons they’ve completed.
2. Keep them on track with our core course offerings
If you think your student may need to enroll in public school again, it helps to know what they’re teaching! Having your student keep up with the key subjects taught in public schools can help ensure they aren’t behind, should they return. Miacademy offers thousands of lessons in our customizable curriculum to ensure your student is prepared.
3. Supplement them where they need it
Even if you use a different homeschooling platform, Miacademy can help you during this transitional period! Our customizable online learning experience allows you to choose lessons from any grade level, so you can meet your student where they’re at academically. Supporting your student in areas of weakness can create a solid foundation to build on when they are in class.
If you have any questions or concerns about Miacademy’s features or accreditation, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer support agents! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
FAQ
How do you catch up when behind in homeschooling?
If your child is behind, try taking a more rigorous approach to the subject they’re struggling with. Try taking more time teaching or adding more practice before having them complete their quiz or assessment. You can also cut down on the time spent in other areas to accommodate, if necessary.
Can public schools deny enrollment?
Generally, no, public schools cannot deny you enrollment if you reside in the school district’s limits. However, if this happens, it may be due to a few reasons, such as the school being at capacity or failure to provide necessary documentation. Laws vary by state, so be sure to check with your district for more information.