Quick answer: To start homeschooling, read your state’s homeschool law, file any notice your state asks for, withdraw your child from their current school in writing, choose a curriculum or an accredited program, and set up a simple way to keep records. Most families can complete these steps and begin lessons at any point in the school year.
Families begin homeschooling in every month of the year. Some start in August with a fresh plan, and many start in January after the first semester. This guide walks through each step in order, with the choices you will make along the way and where an accredited online program fits.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Read your state’s homeschool law
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and each state sets its own rules. Before anything else, find out what your state asks of you. The points that vary most are:
- Notice. Some states ask for a notice of intent or a short form filed with the school district or the state. Others ask for nothing.
- Subjects and time. Some states list required subjects or a number of instruction days or hours.
- Records and assessment. Some states ask for attendance records, a portfolio, or a yearly test or evaluation.
- Enrollment in a private school. In several states a child enrolled in a private or online private school follows the private school rules, and the school keeps the records.
Your state department of education publishes the current rules. Read them directly, since requirements change from year to year. Our table of homeschool requirements by state shows what each state asks for.
Step 2: Decide how you want to homeschool
There are three common routes, and families often combine them.
- Parent-led homeschooling. You choose the materials, teach the lessons, grade the work and keep the records.
- A homeschool curriculum package. You buy a full curriculum for each grade and follow its lesson plans at home.
- An accredited online school. Your child enrolls in a private online school that supplies the courses, teachers, grading, transcripts and, in high school, the diploma. You guide the day at home while the school handles instruction and records.
The right route depends on how much time you have each day, how confident you feel teaching each subject, and whether your child will need an accredited transcript later for a return to school, college admission or athletics. Our guide to accredited and non-accredited homeschooling explains what accreditation changes for your child.
Step 3: Withdraw from the current school
If your child attends a public or private school now, withdraw in writing before the first homeschool day. A written withdrawal keeps attendance records clean. Ask the school for:
- A copy of the most recent report card or transcript
- Standardized test results on file
- Any learning plan, such as an IEP or 504 plan
- Immunization and health records
Moving in the middle of a term works too. Our guide to switching schools mid-year covers the timing and what happens to credits already earned.
Step 4: Choose your curriculum or program
Look for a curriculum that covers the core subjects for your child’s grade: language arts, math, science and social studies, plus electives as your child gets older. When you compare options, ask:
- Does it cover every subject my state lists?
- Who grades the work, and who answers questions when my child is stuck?
- Can my child move faster in strong subjects and take more time in others?
- Will the work produce a transcript that schools and colleges accept?
Forest Trail Academy offers accredited homeschool programs for kindergarten through grade 12. Courses are self-paced, certified teachers support each student, and enrollment is open all year.
Step 5: Set a weekly routine
A routine matters more than a strict timetable. A simple plan works well for most families:
- Pick a regular start time and a regular place to work.
- Schedule core subjects for the time of day your child focuses best.
- Plan the week on one page, with the lessons or assignments for each subject.
- Leave room for reading, projects, sports, music and time with friends.
Younger children often finish focused work in a few hours a day. Middle and high school students spend longer, and a self-paced program lets them plan around training, work or travel.
Step 6: Keep records from the first day
Good records make every later step easier, including a return to school, a move to another state and college applications. Keep:
- An attendance log
- A list of courses, books and materials used
- Samples of work from each subject
- Grades and any test results
In high school, records become a transcript with courses, credits and grades. If your child is enrolled in an accredited online school, the school issues the transcript and the diploma. See how the online high school program handles credits for grades 9 to 12.
Starting in the middle of the year
January is one of the most common times to begin. A mid-year start follows the same steps, with two additions. First, ask the current school for grades in progress so the work your child has completed can be credited. Second, choose a program with open enrollment so there is no wait for a new term. At Forest Trail Academy, students can start any week of the year.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start homeschooling my child?
Read your state’s homeschool law, file any required notice, withdraw your child from their current school in writing, choose a curriculum or accredited program, and begin keeping records.
Can I start homeschooling at any time of year?
Yes. Families begin in every month. Check whether your state asks for notice before the first homeschool day, and choose a program that allows enrollment year-round.
Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool?
Most states do not ask parents for a teaching degree. A few set a minimum education level for the parent, so check your state’s rules. With an accredited online school, certified teachers provide the instruction and grading.
Will colleges accept a homeschooled student?
Colleges admit homeschooled students every year. They look for a clear transcript, course descriptions and test scores where required. A diploma and transcript from an accredited school give admissions offices a familiar record to review.
How much does homeschooling cost?
Costs range from the price of books and materials for parent-led homeschooling to yearly tuition for an accredited online school. Forest Trail Academy lists current tuition and payment plans for each grade level.
Next step
If an accredited program is the route you are considering, an admissions advisor can review your child’s grade level and records with you. Book a call with admissions or explore K-12 online learning at Forest Trail Academy.
