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Congratulations! You've made the decision to homeschool your child! The next step is...

1. Submit a withdrawal form to your school. This applies even if you are changing from one public school to another (full time or enrichment program). 

You MUST withdraw from previous programs, even if you enroll in another public school program. If you don't withdraw, the state may award your funding to the previous program, and you risk being denied enrollment in the new program after count day. You may then be liable for expenses incurred from the first day of school until the day the new school is notified that funding is denied (usually mid-October). The exception being, if you've never enrolled in a public school, there is nothing to withdraw from, and you can proceed to Step 2.

2. Next, decide how you'd like to homeschool. In Colorado, there are three ways you can legally homeschool:

•  Be a Colorado Certified Teacher

• File a NOI (Notice of Intent) in the District of your choice. This will require the parent, as the primary educator of their child, to keep all records exemplifying they are providing a real education for their child. The state requirements are detailed below. If a neglect case were to be opened on a family, the state would first go to the school district for records, then they may seek more information from the family to make a determination on next steps. They would be looking for records showing that the family has complied with the state requirements for homeschool education, as detailed below.

• Enroll in an Umbrella School. If you enroll in an Umbrella School, you have no timekeeping requirements, no testing requirements and no immunization record requirements. You will still need to keep attendance records and/or take assessments as directed by your Umbrella School. The biggest difference is, if you are enrolled in an Umbrella School, you fall under private school law. Vs. homeschool law. In an Umbrella School, a student must be enrolled for at least 172 days a year vs. having attendance records justifying a statement that they have attended at least 172 days of instruction for an average of 4 hours a day. If a neglect case were to be opened on a family, the state would first go to the Umbrella school for records, then they may seek more information from the family to make a determination on next steps. They would be looking for records showing that the family has complied with their private school requirements. 

3. Now comes the fun part! Create an academic plan for your family, choose your teaching methods and curriculum, and begin! Enjoy the journey, don't be as connected to completing materials on time as you are with cultivating their growth.(In homeschool, you can take as much time as your child needs to complete an academic year - some children complete it quickly and some learners need more time. The goal is growth, cultivating passion and learning for mastery.) 

     Remember.... it isn't always easy, but it is always worth it! Just like when you first brought your child home from the hospital, it took an investment of time and energy to learn how to parent well. My guess is that you prepared by watching 549 episodes of "A Baby Story", attended birthing class and maybe even "how to baby-proof your home" class, took CPR and First Aid class, and journaled after reading through SO many books that had to have included either "What To Expect When You're Expecting" or "Baby Wise". You may have later  joined a play date group to glean knowledge from other moms and have friends who were going through the same season of life as you were. The same is true with learning how to homeschool...

     To do it well, it deserves an investment of time. Once you choose your home program, find time to be trained in how to teach it. Take time to plan out your school year (year round, traditional, Sabbath  - 6 weeks on and 1 week off, etc.), determine your grading system or metrics of success, and set goals for you and your child. Invite them in to the process when you're ready. Seek teaching classes that inspire you to keep teaching and to do it well. Find a community of friends that are going through this same season of life so that you have a support system to relate to and glean knowledge from. They will encourage you, inspire you, and be the reason why you are able to go the distance. 

      Final word of advice.... If you are called to homeschool, remember that YOU are the most highly equipped person to teach your child, but it does take time and a little bit of money. You can find much of your materials and resources free or very cheap at the library. on YouTube or on FB marketplace; however, I highly recommend that you make room in your budget for:

1. Student needs: field trips, any passion activities like sports, art, music, etc. and for professional consultants and tutors if your child has a learning difference. This may be a short-term or long-term support, but you shouldn't be expected to know everything or to do everything in a vacuum. Homeschool is fun when there are close family relationships, a community and freedoms to learn outside of a classroom.

2. Parent needs: remember to budget for teaching resources to do this well! You may need to invest in online digital lessons that help you learn and teach a reading or math curriculum. It may be worthwhile to join professional development courses (online or in-person) that help you develop your homeschool structure. Remember to take care of yourself too. Some time away to refresh your mind and soul allows you show up with energy and joy to for your children.

        If you find that homeschool is not your cup of tea, it is okay! You haven't failed as a parent and your children will still grow up to be wonderful human beings. If this happens, find a full time program that aligns with your values OR pay a qualified person to help tutor your child. But please do not neglect them. 1 or 2 days a week of school, only teaching half of the material, is not an education, and will definitely not be enough to provide your child with a bright future. Don't let homeschool become a challenge they need to overcome as an adult. If you aren't able to provide a basic education at home, consider other options and know that you are still an awesome parent and that your child will still grow up to be successful.

Just a few things to keep in mind as you navigate the homeschool ocean of information.

1. The parent, a close relative, or licensed teacher can teach your children.

2. Record Keeping Requirements: 

 -Attendance (Requirements are 172 days with an average of 4 hours per day)

 -Assessment Results, tests/exams at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades (must either be tested using a nationally-standardized test that also has a composite score  OR be evaluated by a qualified person)

 -Immunization Records (exemption form example here: https://chec.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Immunization-Exemption-6.29.20.pdf

 ...the best planner that has pages to record everything (attendance, lesson planning, grades, grocery lists, event planning etc) is right here! https://shop.wellplannedgal.com/index.php/shop/planners/2021-2022-planners/homeschool-planner.html)

3. Over the course of their learning, your child's education program must include: communication skills of reading, writing, and speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, regular courses of instruction in the constitution of the United States as provided in section 22-1-108

4. Your children won't be left out of important school experiences! They can still participate in sports, dances, events and interscholastic activities offered within the district where they filed the Notice of Intent to Homeschool.

INDEPENDENT HOMESCHOOL (100% on your own):

Remember that all learning experiences, including travel (social studies), balancing a checkbook (business), and sports (P.E.) count as education. Don't worry about how you'll get 4 hours a day in of learning if you're independently teaching your kids. The time will fill up quickly!  check out facebook groups for ideas on what curriculum is best and most curriculums can be purchased online. This is a great option if you need flexibility in your schedule, such as a competitive athlete may require. You could also find other families teaching similar programs and organize into learning co-ops.

ENRICHMENT vs. COLLABORATIVE (instruction time + program support and social interaction):

Enrichment programs are stand alone learning experiences which are independent of what you teach at home. 

Collaborative programs, like Summit Homeschool Academy, are a partnership, where parents and the program work together to educate your child. In an academic collaborative, the materials taught in classes, are the materials you also teach with from home. Our program provides all of the curriculum for a full year in Math, Reading and English and also provides 6 hours a week of learning in a group environment from professional educators. This program is designed to build community be teaching alongside and with each other. We also have special celebrations and events together. Because the program is local, your child will find friends that they can play with often outside of class. There is a huge benefit in joining a collaborative because parents get a day to recharge, while children are still learning and interacting with peers. Joining a collaborative may be the biggest factor that contributes to longevity in homeschooling. Parents are still the primary educator and must be committed to teaching their children the lessons outside of class (2-3 hours/day 4 days a week). 

PRIVATE (Tuition-based)

Private school can be full-time, a University model school or homeschool program. They are tuition-based, and may be online or brick and mortar schools.