Homeschooling is a rapidly growing educational alternative that allows families to customize learning experiences based on children’s preferences and interests. This way of schooling is gaining popularity, with reports indicating that about 6% of students nationwide are homeschooled in the country. But with this learning mode, it’s important to choose the right program and curriculum to ensure students receive quality education. Also, the curriculum should prepare them to apply their skills.

1. Consider the student’s learning style
There are different learning styles, mainly visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learners grasp concepts through images—maps, tables, charts, diagrams, etc., whereas auditory learners prefer learning by listening, such as through hearing instructions or tuning into podcasts. Kinesthetic learners work best in environments that promote physical activity or whole-body movement. While some curricula focus extensively on one learning style, others combine different techniques. So, parents should evaluate their children’s learning styles, closely observing what learning methods work best for them. It also helps to check whether the child is left-brained or right-brained.

2. Assess grade level
A student’s grade level shouldn’t depend only on age—learning capacity is an important factor many schools overlook. But with homeschooling, parents have the flexibility to go beyond the traditional age-wise K12 classifications. Instead, they can consider their child’s grasping ability and comprehension skills to determine their grade level. So, they should leverage this advantage, evaluate the student’s intellectual capabilities, and assign a grade level based on the outcomes.

3. Look for programs with specific learning objectives
Education benefits greatly from a systematic approach, whether in a traditional school setting or through homeschooling. So, it’s important to look for a homeschooling program that highlights the specific aims of the curriculum and what a student will have learned by the time the course is completed. It should also involve structured steps to achieve these objectives within a given timeframe.

4. Check the curriculum’s popularity and reviews
With many students and parents opting for homeschooling programs, one can easily find reviews and ratings for various curricula. Checking these reviews is important to understand each curriculum’s benefits and drawbacks, whether it engages the learner, and how well it incorporates various learning styles.

5. Ensure that the program covers key subjects
Like a school curriculum, a homeschooling program should include all the subjects a student should study at their grade level. Broad areas of study should include specific subjects. For example, if the area of study is “science,” it should include physics, chemistry, and biology, as applicable at the student’s grade level. Similarly, geography, history, political science, etc. should be a part of “social sciences.”

6. Check if the online program is user-friendly
Online homeschooling programs include students from different parts of the country. While personal interactions may be limited, such programs typically allow students to interact through digital mediums like chat platforms and voice messages. In such cases, parents should ensure the learning interface is user-friendly so their child can independently navigate the application.

7. Look for comprehensive programs
With homeschooling, parents or private tutors are largely responsible for facilitating the learning process. Besides such help, students must work independently to master concepts and hone skills. Comprehensive learning materials make the learning process easy for students. Concepts should be explained as directly as possible, with multiple examples as required, so that it’s easy for students to grasp them.

8. Compare fees
A wide range of curricula is available online for students of different grade levels. The fees for these programs may range from $50 to $600 per child. So, one should review the features of different curricula and pick one that best integrates comprehensiveness with affordability. Also, one may choose to appoint a part-time or full-time private tutor for homeschooling. In such cases, one should also consider the tutors’ fees when calculating the total expenses involved.

9. Find an experienced, qualified tutor
These days, there are many easy ways to find in-person and online tutors. But one should always check the tutor’s qualifications, experience, and expertise in specific subjects before shortlisting them. Also, based on the child’s proficiency and requirements, one should decide whether to look for a part-time or full-time private tutor.

10. Prioritize an easy enrollment process
If a program has a complex enrollment process, it might waste a child’s time and delay admission. So, before opting for an online homeschooling program, one should review the enrollment procedure and ensure the program has a basic, straightforward admission process.

11. Check for good customer service options
Given the significant responsibility parents bear in homeschooling, it’s natural for them to have questions or need clarification. The institution offering a homeschooling program should provide good customer service options, such as a toll-free number, an email address, a parental portal, or a chat interface. This can help parents, tutors, and guardians connect with the institution as and when required.

Homeschooling a child has several benefits—it is cost-effective and safe, ensures flexibility, and encourages independence. But the success of homeschooling heavily depends on the type of program chosen. The right curriculum ensures children get a comprehensive education that meets their academic needs and personal development goals. So, it is important to choose the program wisely.