| If you ask a homeschool family why they do | | | | tracking systems in place to document where |
| what they do, you are likely to get a variety of | | | | each student is in their course work, where their |
| answers. Most likely though, their answers will | | | | assignments are kept, and what the standards |
| include flexibility and the ability to engage in | | | | are for grading, testing, and moving forward. If |
| something that they are passionate about. Let's | | | | you plan to charge tuition, you will want to do a |
| face it, things that we are passionate about are | | | | market survey to determine the value of your |
| always much more fun and productive, and that is | | | | program in your local market. Related to this, you |
| certainly true for homeschooling. They are not | | | | will want to identify the unique character of your |
| always profitable, but in this case, it can be. There | | | | homeschool program and what is "unique" about |
| are many families who wish they could | | | | you - what your niche is in that market. And |
| homeschool, but for financial reasons, are | | | | finally, you will need to verify any local codes for |
| regrettably unable to experience the passion, | | | | homeschooling in your area to guarantee that you |
| depth of education, and flexibility that their | | | | are meeting all state and local regulations with |
| homeschooling friends experience. The solution to | | | | both the curricula you are using and the space |
| their needs can be met by the passion of those | | | | you are offering. |
| who homeschool. What's the answer you ask? | | | | For the family who is seeking a homeschool |
| Homeschool families can homeschool other | | | | family to work with their child, they should |
| people's children and charge a fee for their | | | | consider a few questions as well. Beyond the |
| services - a tuition, if you will. This option has | | | | obvious school hours and tuition schedule, these |
| several benefits for both parties and is gaining in | | | | questions would include such things as space for |
| popularity. | | | | your student to work, activities that might be |
| Those who don't homeschool typically they fall | | | | available to your student through coops, such as |
| into two categories - those who would never be | | | | Speech for instance, and ages of other children in |
| interested in it, and those who wish they could | | | | the homeschool program. Please be sure that you |
| but cannot give up an income to do so. The latter | | | | do not think that all of the other students should |
| group is a growing number, and it is not unusual to | | | | be of the same age, though. There is so much |
| find that the only hindrance for some who wish | | | | more to be gained from a variety of ages in a |
| they could homeschool their children is the loss of | | | | school setting. A mixed age school group is much |
| income they would experience if they stayed | | | | more like the "real world" of offices and |
| home to set up a homeschool program. What if, | | | | businesses, so it is very important for students to |
| however a passionate, strong homeschooling | | | | learn to find common ground in spite of age |
| family was to take in a few students into their | | | | differences. The age of your students, both for |
| program and charge tuition for doing so? This | | | | the homeschooling family and the |
| would create an income for the homeschooling | | | | homeschool-seeker, will dictate some of the other |
| family and afford the other family an opportunity | | | | pertinent questions, but these few will get the |
| to reap the benefits of homeschooling. The | | | | conversation started. |
| benefits to both families include financial gains, | | | | Certainly there are other unique factors to |
| flexibility in the homeschool program and | | | | consider if you plan to create a homeschool |
| educational setting, and individualized attention for | | | | program in your home that benefits other families |
| each of the students. | | | | too. But consideration of this option can make a |
| If this is something that appeals to you, here are | | | | difference for you, as a homeschooler, and for |
| several things to consider. For the homeschool | | | | others in your community who could benefit from |
| family it is important to think about the choice of | | | | a specialized program unlike anything they could |
| curricula in your program. If you plan to offer | | | | receive in the public school system. Not only this, |
| your services to others, you will want to ensure | | | | but the financial options can become an |
| that your curriculum teaches solid skills in all of the | | | | empowering source of income for the |
| primary core subject areas including learning skills. | | | | homeschooling family. |
| You will also want to be sure to have identifiable | | | | |