How We Started Our Homeschool Journey in NC
If you’ve been looking into how to start a homeschool in NC, this is how we began our homeschool and why. Hopefully it brings insight and inspires you to start as well. I’ve been getting many questions about why and how to start your homeschool in NC and I am happy to share our journey and how you can do it too!
Our story:
We decided it was best to start homeschooling our 3 kids in December of 2022. The idea has always been planted in my heart but we never really bit the bullet to start because 1. I did not feel qualified, what could I possibly have to offer my children that the school system couldn’t? 2. I didn’t know where to start.
For us, their safety, spending more time together and business focus days were our main reason and priority. I have always loved being hands-on with them on everything I can do, especially with their education. After the pandemic, everything did change and that included education.
I started pretty early teaching my kids the basics around preschool age which was always fun. Printing free printable online, learning books from the dollar section here and there, and learning through play activities. I didn’t realize that I was actually doing “homeschool” during that time, I was just having fun teaching my kids things they were interested in. Eventually they started public school being blessed with amazing schools and teachers. It was beautiful while it lasted.
Shortly after, we purchased a home a little bit farther out from our business location and that made it harder to carpool and be present for the kids school since we always were pretty far out. They were having a hard adjusting and everyday somehow felt like a drag to get them excited to go to school. I pulled them out in December and we haven’t looked back since. We started with an online curriculum to finish their year and worked great to get us started with confidence.
How it’s going…
We have started our first official school year in NC this past summer. This time we have chosen a few open and go curriculums and I’ve been very hands-on in teaching. It has been a new transition for us and a huge learning curve. Three months in, and it’s been such a fun experience where we are all thriving as students and a family. We love the curriculum we chose and planning outings and excusing any putting as field trips has been our favorite part.
Why homeschool?
- Flexibility
- Safety environment
- More quality time to spend as a family
- A richer, focused and tailored education
The list is endless, the more you identify with the idea of homeschooling the longer the list will get for you and you will see that it makes sense.
How to Start:
First, you need to look up YOUR states requirements for homeschool. Every state is different and requirements may vary. To check our your state requirements just google “‘your state’ homeschool requirements” or look for your state here.
Next, depends on your states requirements.
Depending on your child’s age, you either have to register your homeschool with a notice of intent or just start depending on your states requirements.
After you have registered your school you can look into choosing a curriculum that serves best for you and your kids.
Curriculum Research and teaching style:
I definitely recommend for you to do this before you proceed to start your homeschool in NC. It’s good to have a good idea of your teaching style, your student’s learning style, and the kind of curriculum you would like to teach. There are many to choose from, from Secular to Christian based, “open and go” or online, and even free options. The resources are endless.
This was the most time consuming for me since I didn’t know much and I was determined to learn everything and choose the best one. Based off my experience, I recommend to first consider your circumstances, time, beliefs and expectations. Determine how much time can you spend with your kids and how much you can invest in the curriculum.
A reminder…
Prior to, I loved volunteering at they’re school and participating in their classroom events. I will never forget when I pulled my kids out from their last school back in December and I had met with their teachers to go over where they were academically. My 4th grader’s teacher told me something that just stuck with me and I will hold on to it for as long as I have them home and it’s that,
I am and have been their first teacher. I have always been, I know best and I am fully qualified to teach them in the years to come. When she told me that, all of my fear, worry, and anxiety left. It was something beautiful that she didn’t have to say but it meant a lot coming from her, someone who had dedicated her years to teaching, someone who is qualified by school. It honestly gave me all the power I didn’t know I needed and it has changed my perspective since, especially on the days that are harder.
You are qualified too.
