What Are the Different Options for Home Education?

Traditional homeschooling is when the parent or guardian of a child is responsible for overseeing their education at home. Parents choose the curriculum they would like to use and are free to follow whatever schedule they feel is best. This category of home education involves zero government oversight, and parents are in charge of every aspect of the child's education. They may utilize outside resources such as tutors or co-ops to assist with their child's education. This category encompasses many different approaches to homeschooling including traditional homeschoolers and un-schoolers.

Online schools can include virtual public schools or online private schools that are not affiliated with the school district. These schools have a set curriculum for the student to follow, and there is typically a schedule of when assignments are due. In some cases, students attend live virtual classes and are instructed directly by certified teachers. In other cases, students are expected to learn the material independently, with the teacher available to grade assignments and provide support and clarification when needed. One key factor of this type of school is that the curriculum is selected and administered by the school and not by the parents. Another key factor is that students graduating from these schools can receive an accredited high school diploma. There are many online options available in Idaho.

Online/Virtual School Options:

• Connections Academy

• Gem Prep Online Academy

• IDVA - Idaho Virtual Academy

*For a complete list of virtual school options in Idaho, visit idahoschools.org/schools and use the filter buttons on the bottom left of the page to select the options for virtual schools and virtual charter schools.

Many families who have homeschooled in other states are familiar with the term homeschool umbrella charter. An umbrella charter is basically a school that oversees the home education of its students, keeps student records and work samples, administers standardized tests, and often assists with funding for educational materials. Idaho does NOT have any "umbrella charter schools", but the do have several online public school options that serve the same basic function as a homeschool umbrella charter. These schools are technically considered Idaho public schools, but they function in the same way as an umbrella charter, so I have kept them separate from the list of other online schools. These charters allow parents the freedom to chose their own curriculum, and the parents are still the child's primary teacher. One key feature of these types of schools is that they provide funding for students that can be spent by the family on educational items.

Homeschool Umbrella Options:

• Harmony Educational Services

• Overture Learning

• Tech Trep Academy