Everything you need to plan a full homeschool year, from selecting curriculum materials and setting schedules to organizing your teaching space and tracking progress.
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Define Your Educational Philosophy
Research major homeschool approaches: classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, unschooling, and eclectic
Spend 2-3 hours reading about each method before choosing. Most successful homeschool families use an eclectic approach, picking elements from 2-3 philosophies. What works at age 6 often changes by age 10, so stay flexible.
Assess your child's learning style through observation and informal testing
Watch how your child naturally explores topics they enjoy. Visual learners draw and diagram, auditory learners talk through ideas, and kinesthetic learners need to touch and build. Matching curriculum to learning style reduces daily resistance by roughly 50%.
Write down your top 5 educational goals for the year
Be specific: 'read independently at a 4th-grade level by May' is better than 'improve reading.' Include non-academic goals like 'develop time management skills' or 'learn to cook 5 basic meals.' Review these goals monthly to stay on track.
Decide how structured or flexible your daily schedule will be
Younger children (ages 5-8) need only 2-3 hours of formal instruction daily. Older students (ages 12-17) need 4-6 hours. Over-scheduling is the top reason new homeschool parents burn out in the first 3 months.
Select Curriculum Materials
Choose a math curriculum that matches your child's current level, not grade level
Give your child a placement test before buying any math program. About 35% of children test above or below their grade level in math. Starting at the right level prevents frustration and boredom. Most publishers offer free online placement tests.
Select a language arts program covering reading, writing, grammar, and spelling
An all-in-one language arts program saves planning time compared to separate resources for each skill. Budget $100-$250 per child per year for language arts materials. Borrow samples from your local homeschool co-op or library before purchasing.
Plan your science curriculum with both textbook and hands-on components
Children retain 75% more science content when they do experiments versus reading alone. Budget $50-$100 per year for lab supplies. Kitchen science experiments cover most elementary concepts without expensive equipment.
Choose history and social studies materials aligned to your educational approach
Story-based history programs engage children more than textbook-style ones for ages 5-12. Plan to cover 4-year history cycles so your child gets a complete world history survey by high school. Living books and primary sources beat dry summaries.
Plan enrichment subjects: art, music, physical education, and foreign language
Community resources can cover these at low cost. Library art programs, community sports leagues ($50-$150 per season), and free language-learning apps fill gaps without adding to your teaching load. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.
Order all materials at least 4-6 weeks before your planned start date
Popular curricula sell out by July if your year starts in September. Used curriculum sales happen in May-June and save 40-60% off retail prices. Check homeschool buy-sell-trade groups in your area before buying new.
Set Up Your Learning Space
Designate a consistent area for focused schoolwork
You do not need a dedicated room. A kitchen table, a corner of the living room, or a desk in the child's bedroom all work. The key is consistency: using the same spot signals 'school mode.' Keep it near natural light if possible for better focus.
Organize supplies in labeled bins or shelves within reach
Store frequently used items (pencils, paper, scissors, glue) at child height for independent access. Use clear bins so contents are visible without opening. Spending 10 minutes on cleanup at the end of each school day prevents weekly chaos.
Set up a display area for completed work and progress charts
A cork board or magnetic whiteboard showing weekly goals and completed assignments gives children a sense of accomplishment. Visual progress tracking is especially motivating for children ages 5-10. Update it weekly together.
Create Your Annual and Weekly Schedule
Map out your school year on a calendar with start date, end date, and breaks
Most states require 170-180 school days per year. Plan for 36 weeks of instruction with 2-week breaks every 9 weeks to prevent burnout. Year-round schedules with frequent short breaks reduce the summer learning loss seen in traditional schools.
Divide each curriculum into weekly lesson chunks across the school year
Take the total number of lessons in each subject and divide by 36 weeks. If a math book has 170 lessons, that is roughly 5 lessons per week. Planning this in advance takes 2-3 hours but saves daily decision fatigue for the entire year.
Create a template for your ideal daily routine
Start with your child's highest-energy subject in the morning. Alternate between sitting and active tasks every 30-45 minutes. A sample day: math at 9 AM, reading at 10 AM, outdoor break at 11 AM, science at noon, history at 1 PM.
Build in flex days for field trips, co-op classes, and catch-up
Schedule one flex day per week (usually Friday) with no formal lessons planned. Use it for field trips, library visits, catch-up work, or interest-led projects. This buffer keeps you from falling behind when unexpected events disrupt the week.
Plan Socialization and Extracurriculars
Join a local homeschool co-op or support group
Co-ops meet weekly or biweekly and share teaching responsibilities. Annual fees range from $50-$300. Join before the school year starts because most co-ops finalize class rosters by August. Ask for a trial visit before committing to a full year.
Enroll in community sports, arts, or club activities
Many recreation centers offer daytime classes specifically for homeschoolers. These cost $50-$200 per session and provide structured social time with peers. Aim for at least 2 regular weekly activities outside the home.
Schedule regular playdates or group outings with other homeschool families
Monthly park days or group field trips with 3-5 other families provide consistent friendships. Rotate which family plans the activity to share the workload. Children need unstructured peer time, not just organized activities.
Set Up Record-Keeping and Assessment
Create a portfolio system for saving work samples from each subject
Save 2-3 work samples per subject per month in a binder or digital folder. Date everything. Many states require a portfolio review at year's end. This takes 5 minutes per day if done consistently but 8-10 hours if done all at once in May.
Set up attendance tracking that meets your state's requirements
A simple spreadsheet or calendar with check marks for each school day works. Most states require 170-180 days of documented instruction. Count field trips, co-op days, and educational outings as school days if learning objectives were met.
Plan quarterly assessments to measure progress in each subject
Use a mix of written tests, oral narration, project demonstrations, and portfolio reviews. Standardized tests are required annually in some states. Even if not required, testing once per year helps identify areas where your child needs extra support.
Keep receipts for curriculum purchases and supplies for potential tax deductions
Homeschool expenses may qualify for education tax credits in some states. Track spending in a simple spreadsheet with date, item, cost, and subject. The average homeschool family spends $600-$1,200 per child per year on curriculum and materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a full homeschool curriculum cost per year?
A complete curriculum costs $300-$2,500 per student per year depending on the approach. All-in-one boxed curricula (like Abeka or Sonlight) run $500-$1,200. Eclectic approaches mixing free resources with select paid materials average $300-$600. Online programs with live instruction (like Connections Academy or K12) are often free as public school alternatives. Budget separately for lab supplies ($50-$150), field trips ($200-$500/year), and co-op fees ($100-$400/year).
What is the difference between structured and unschooling approaches?
Structured homeschooling follows a set curriculum with daily lesson plans, textbooks, and regular assessments, similar to traditional school at home. Unschooling is child-led, where learning happens through the student's natural interests, projects, and daily life. Most families fall somewhere in between, using a structured approach for core subjects (math, reading) while allowing more flexibility for electives and exploration. Research shows both approaches produce comparable academic outcomes when parents are actively engaged.
How do homeschooled students get socialized?
Homeschool co-ops meet weekly and serve 10-30 families, offering group classes, sports teams, and social events. Community activities like scouts, church youth groups, sports leagues, and music programs provide regular peer interaction outside the home. Many states allow homeschoolers to participate in public school extracurriculars (sports, band, theater) under Tim Tebow laws. Studies consistently show homeschooled children score equal to or higher than peers on measures of social development and emotional health.
Can I homeschool if I work full-time?
Yes, but it requires creative scheduling. Many working parents homeschool during evenings and weekends, use online programs with asynchronous lessons, or hire a tutor for 2-3 hours during work days ($15-$30/hour). Co-ops where parents take turns teaching different subjects reduce the individual time commitment. Some families stagger schedules so one parent works mornings while the other teaches, then they swap. A 4-day school week with longer daily sessions also accommodates work schedules.
Will colleges accept homeschool students?
All major universities accept homeschooled applicants, including Ivy League schools. Homeschooled students need a transcript (which the parent creates), standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and a detailed course description portfolio. Some colleges request additional documentation like a GED or portfolio of work samples. Homeschooled students are admitted at roughly the same rate as traditionally schooled applicants, and some admissions officers note that homeschoolers often demonstrate stronger self-direction and intellectual curiosity.