New to homeschooling?
Whether you're just thinking about homeschooling or set on it, getting started can be daunting! We have compiled a short list to help you get going, as well as a list of resources we have personally found helpful. Still have questions? Feel free to contact us!
Steps to get started:
- Begin with prayer for guidance from God.
- Read and review Wyoming homeschool law and its requirements summarized on our home page..
- Notify your school district when the time is right for your family to start homeschooling. (CLICK HERE for more information on this)
- Sign up for our free mailing list.
- Join Homeschool Wyo for community support and to support our efforts to fight for homeschooling rights in Wyoming.
- Consider membership in the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Homeschool Wyoming (HSWYO) members receive a $20 discount on HSLDA membership.
- Find your homeschooling teaching style the-homeschool-style-quiz or homeschool-personality-quiz-results
- Find your child's learning style the-homeschool-style-quiz
- Research and select your core curriculum components: reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature and science. A short list of suggested curriculum is below, though there are many others to consider.
- Visit your local library for books and magazines on home education. Many libraries have books on beginning home schooling, below is a list of some of our favorites.
- Attend the annual Homeschoolers of Wyoming events to hear speakers, meet other home educators, and discover educational resources.
Free Online Resources/Programs
- E-learning for Kids: AMAZING, free, easy to use!
- Kahn Academy.
- EasyPeasy.
- K-12 Homeschool.
- Home Art Studio.
- LearnZillion.
- Virtual Nerd: Real Math Help.
- Education.com.
- Essential Skills Advantage.
- Lesson Pathways.
- JuniorWriter.com (Free for 60 days).
- Knowledge Adventure.
- KidsKnowIt.
- Science Kids.
- Eco Kids.
- Kids Math Games Online.
- Ambleside Online.
- edHelper.
- SAS Curriculum Pathways.
Some of our favorite books for new homeschoolers:
Don't know what curriculum to use? Here's some to explore to get started!
Homeschooling High School
High school brings some new considerations as you and your child begin to look to the future. Should you choose to have your child complete the ACT or SAT, information on testing can be found here:
Homeschool Records
HomeschoolWyo and HSLDA recommend that you keep detailed records of your homeschool program. These records may be helpful if your student decides to return to public school and needs to furnish proof of the education they have received or if, heaven forbid, you were to face an investigation regarding your homeschooling.
These records should include examples of their work, your attendance records, information on the specific textbooks and workbooks your student used, any correspondence you had with school officials, portfolios are also helpful as well as any test results, and any thing else that would prove your child’s education. You should keep your student’s high school records and proof of compliance with the home education laws during the high school years (including any type of home education notice that you file with state or local officials) on file forever. There are many online record keeping options available so that you do not have to keep mounds of paperwork and workbooks in your physical posession.
High School Diploma
A homeschool diploma is a valid high school completion credential when issued to a student who completes a secondary education in a home-based educational program in accordance with Wyoming law. It is not necessary Nor recommended to have a homeschool child take the GED. A homeschool diploma should be accompanied by a formal transcript signed by the student’s parent(s). Homeschool graduates who have a homeschool diploma, transcript, and verification of compliance with Wyoming’s homeschool law generally have sufficient documentation to meet a high school diploma requirement for purposes of college admission, employment, military enlistment, civil service, and other postsecondary options. In fact, colleges and organizations are increasingly seeking after homeschool graduates.
Please note: This information has not been reviewed by an attorney, and it should not be taken as legal advice, please make sure you do your own research and if you have any questions contact us via our Contact Page.
Hathaway Scholarship
Wyoming has the fantastic benefit of the Hathaway scholarship: funds that are available to all Wyoming middle and high school student to help them attend college classes at the University of Wyoming or any of Wyoming's seven community colleges. Learn more here.
Also be sure to check out our free course on the Hathaway.
Image by Matthew Everard from Pixabay
