How to Start Homeschooling: A Complete Guide

TL;DR: Check your state's legal requirements, withdraw your child from public school in writing, choose a teaching approach, pick or build a curriculum, set a schedule, and connect with other homeschoolers. Most families are up and running within 2–4 weeks.

Step 1 — Know Your State's Laws

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but requirements vary significantly. Some states (like Texas) require no notification at all. Others (like Pennsylvania) require annual affidavits, portfolio evaluations, and standardized testing.

Before you do anything else, look up your state's specific requirements:

• Notification: Do you need to notify your school district?
• Required subjects: Are specific subjects mandated?
• Attendance: How many days or hours per year?
• Assessment: Is annual testing or portfolio review required?

Browse our state homeschool laws guides to find your state's requirements, or check HSLDA's Legal Map for a quick overview.

Step 2 — Withdraw Your Child from Public School

Once you know your state's rules, formally withdraw your child from their current school. In most states, a simple written notice to the principal or superintendent is sufficient.

Your letter should include:

• Your child's name and grade
• Your intent to homeschool
• The effective date

Keep a copy. Some states require this letter as part of their official notification process.

If your child is under state compulsory age for your jurisdiction, you typically do not need to notify anyone at all until they reach that age.

Step 3 — Choose a Homeschool Philosophy

Before picking specific curriculum materials, it helps to understand the major homeschool philosophies. Your child's learning style and your family's goals will guide which approach fits best.

Classical Education

Teaches through three developmental stages (Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric) emphasizing foundational knowledge, logical reasoning, and articulate communication. Strong focus on history, Latin, and great books.

Charlotte Mason

Emphasizes "living books" over textbooks, nature study, narration instead of tests, and short focused lessons. Built on the idea that education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.

Eclectic / Relaxed

The most popular approach — picking the best resources from multiple philosophies. You might use a classical math program, Charlotte Mason-style read-alouds, and a structured science curriculum.

School-at-Home (Traditional)

Replicates the structure of a conventional school day with textbooks, tests, and a set schedule. Works well for families transitioning from public school.

Unschooling

Child-led learning driven by natural curiosity. No formal curriculum. Works best when parents are deeply engaged and trust the process.

Read our full guide on homeschool methods and styles to explore each approach in depth.

Step 4 — Pick or Build a Curriculum

Your curriculum is the roadmap for what your child will learn. Options range from all-in-one boxed sets to individually selected resources.

All-in-one curricula (like Sonlight, Abeka, or Oak Meadow) give you everything — daily lesson plans, textbooks, assessments — in one package. Great for beginners.

Subject-specific resources let you mix and match the best programs for each subject. Many experienced homeschoolers prefer this approach.

AI-generated curricula — tools like Enate can generate a full week of personalized lessons based on your child's grade level, learning style, and goals. This is especially useful when you want something tailored rather than off-the-shelf.

Key factors when choosing:

• Your child's learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)
• Your teaching style and available time
• Budget (curricula range from free to $1,500+/year)
• Whether you prefer structured or flexible pacing

Step 5 — Set Up Your Space and Schedule

You don't need a dedicated classroom. A kitchen table works fine. What matters more is a consistent routine that signals "school time" to your child.

Recommended starting schedule:

• Younger children (K–3): 2–3 hours of focused work per day
• Middle grades (4–6): 3–4 hours
• Middle school (7–8): 4–5 hours
• High school: 5–6 hours

Morning tends to work best for most families — start with the hardest subjects when focus is highest.

Read our full guide on creating a homeschool schedule that works.

Step 6 — Get Your Child's School Records

Request official transcripts, test scores, immunization records, and any IEP or 504 documents from your child's current school. You are legally entitled to these records.

You'll need them for:

• Your state's notification requirements (some ask for grade level)
• Picking the right curriculum level
• Future college applications (if homeschooling through high school)

Step 7 — Find Your Community

Homeschooling can feel isolating at first. Connecting with other families makes a huge difference.

Ways to find your community:

• Local homeschool co-ops (shared classes, field trips, social events)
• Facebook groups — search "[Your City] Homeschool" or "[Your State] Homeschool"
• Homeschool conventions (most states have at least one annual event)
• Online communities like the r/homeschool subreddit

Read our guide on homeschool socialization to understand how homeschoolers build rich social lives.

Step 8 — Start (and Adjust)

The biggest mistake new homeschool families make is over-planning before they start. Your first curriculum, schedule, and approach will evolve. That's normal.

Give yourself a deschooling period — roughly one month for every year your child was in traditional school — before jumping into formal academics. This transition time helps your child decompress and rediscover natural curiosity. Read our guide on deschooling to understand what this looks like.

Key Resources

• HSLDA — State Laws — State-by-state legal requirements
• National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) — Research on homeschool outcomes
• Coalition for Responsible Home Education — Independent advocacy and resources
• Enate Homeschool — AI-powered curriculum and lesson planning