The Mid-Year Switch
For parents, deciding to homeschool can be a difficult decision, especially when picking the best time to make the switch. The good news is, you can start homeschooling anytime during the school year! A popular time is after the winter holiday break between semesters. This gives your student a chance to relax and decompress from public school and prepare for their new homeschool journey.
There are many reasons why parents choose to homeschool. It allows kids to explore their interests and encounter unique challenges while giving parents the flexibility and peace of mind that deviating from the rigid structure of public schooling provides.
In this article, we’ve gathered some quick tips to make switching to homeschool mid-year a bit easier! If it’s your first time homeschooling, you can check out our more in-depth resource about how to make the switch to homeschool.
1. Talk to your child
Before you switch from public school to homeschool, talk to your child about their feelings. If they aren’t so excited, try making a pros and cons list with them, or explore why they may be hesitant to homeschool. If they’re concerned about seeing their friends, you can set up regular playdates or sign them up for sports with their public school classmates. Including your child in the decision can help them feel responsible and involved in their education.
2. Know your laws
Before you start homeschooling, it’s important to know that homeschool laws vary by state. State law mandates everything from reporting, required subjects, and even teaching hours per day. Get familiar with these laws first to ensure you can fully commit to all of the requirements.
3. Find a curriculum
Next, you’ll need to find a good homeschool curriculum! There are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you make your own, buy one, or subscribe to an online homeschool curriculum, there are so many different resources available to help you and your student on your homeschool journey. Some of the best things about homeschooling are the ability to have a curriculum that is flexible, customizable, and fun!
4. Send proper notice
Beginning to homeschool is different in each state, depending on the rules. For example, you may need to register your homeschool, complete a Notice of Intent, provide curricula samples, hire a tutor, or give at least a week’s worth of notice to your superintendent. Outside of the state requirements, no matter where you live, formally withdrawing your child from public school can help prevent any truancy claims in the future. Be sure to provide the withdrawal notice in writing and save a copy for your own records.
5. Make a plan
There are many things to consider when you begin to homeschool. For example, what kinds of techniques or strategies help your student learn? Which homeschool style will you choose? What will your daily life look like?
Start making a plan for what you’d like your homeschool life to look like, ensuring that it’s achievable and realistic for both you and your student. This could be creating a routine, setting up a homeschool portfolio, and choosing which subjects to teach and when, what time school will start each day, and how you’ll incorporate time for socialization into the upcoming semester.
Planning ahead can help make the switch less chaotic since you’ll have a general idea of how you’d like to spend your days. However, you may need to make some changes early on — and that’s okay! If your initial homeschool plan isn’t working, try making small adjustments until you find that sweet spot where everyone is comfortable. It’s important to remain flexible and be patient during this transitional period.
6. Start deschooling
Finally, now that you’ve studied your laws, formally withdrawn your student, chosen a curriculum, and made a plan — it’s time to relax! To make the transition from public school to homeschooling smoother, it’s important to allow your child time for deschooling. Deschooling is the process of deconstructing the rigid schedules, rules, and teachings of traditional school to fully adjust to homeschooling. Deschooling can help students break away from the public school mindset and take advantage of all that homeschooling has to offer.
The Mid-Year Switch with Miacademy
At Miacademy, our goal is to make quality education accessible to as many students as possible. Our commitment to quality, accessibility, and safety is what sets us apart! There are several ways that Miacademy’s features can help you and your student switch to homeschool this winter break:
1. Customizable curriculum
Miacademy’s accredited online homeschool curriculum allows your student to choose from any of our courses across any grade level! This ensures that Miacademy can meet your student on-level, no matter where they’re at. In addition with our flexible course schedule, your student can work at their own pace during and after the deschooling process.
2. Powerful parent tools
Our simple user interfaces are designed to make powerful tools easy to use! You can set up your account in minutes and get your student learning right away. Our parent portal is linked to your child’s account and provides you with automatic grades, progress reports, attendance records, and more, so you can monitor your child’s progress. You can also add or remove courses, opt in to our social features, or even add break days that automatically adjust your student’s schedule. With Miacademy, everything you need to manage your new homeschool is all conveniently in one place.
3. Online support for you and your family
We know that homeschooling can be difficult at first, which is why we’re here for you every step of the way! We pride ourselves on not just our amazing curriculum but our top-notch customer service as well. If you ever have any questions, we’re just a click away!
In addition, parents may find that our Miacademy parent-run Facebook groups are especially helpful when homeschooling for the first time. You can ask questions and get advice about first-time homeschooling and Miacademy from other parents who have used our site for years.
If you’d like to learn more about the difference that Miacademy can make for your child’s education, please feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service agents! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
FAQ
Why are parents switching to homeschooling?
Many parents are choosing to homeschool for the increased flexibility, convenience, and customization that homeschool provides. From curriculum to subjects and schedules, homeschooling allows families to educate their children in a way that’s unique and tailored to their values and needs.
What is the best grade to start homeschooling?
Homeschooling is most popular among parents with younger students, as the course material may be easier for parents to manage. That being said though, there isn’t really a “best” grade to start homeschooling. If your student has been struggling in traditional schools and would benefit from homeschool, now may be the best time to consider home education.
How long does it take to adjust to homeschooling?
The adjustment period between traditional schools and homeschooling is called “deschooling,” and it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. The purpose of this adjustment period is to unlearn the strict schedules and rules of how traditional schools work and to get your student to understand that learning can happen anywhere!
Last updated 11/21/2023