Preparing Your Homeschooled Child for Public School

There are many reasons to homeschool, but there are also many reasons you might change your mind. The transition from homeschool to public school may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are various steps that you can take in preparing your homeschooled child for public school, so read this guide to learn more.

Organize Records

Preparing your homeschooled child for public school may be stressful, but organization makes everything a lot easier. Take the time to organize all your records from over the years. Check with the school to see what they need as well. You may want to organize your lesson plans over the years, as well as any assessments your child has taken. Compile everything into one space, like 3-ring binders to ensure it’s easy to locate if the school needs anything.

Prepare for the Classroom

To prepare your child for the classroom, there are a few things you should go over. For example, take the time to cover note-taking skills. Your child is sure to take notes in their classes, so it’s important to go over this if you haven’t already. You should also remind your child that it’s okay if they are behind or ahead in certain subjects. The transition may be difficult in the beginning, but things get easier with time. It’s also important to consider the various learning and development theories. This can give you a better understanding of their development during this transition.

Have an Open Conversation

Lastly, make sure to have an open conversation with your child. Ask them how they feel about the switch. If there are things they are anxious about, talk through that with them. It’s important that your child feels supported during this process. It can be difficult for the child during this transition, so open communication benefits their growth. If your child worries about bullies, assure them that teachers are there to help them, should anything happen. You can also highlight some of the things they are excited about, such as making new friends or trying new activities.

Get the Timing Right

Some grade levels are better than others for enrolling your child into public school. I homeschooled my oldest daughter from 2nd through 8th grade and then decided to let her try public high school. It was quite easy to put her into 9th grade because we were not claiming that she had earned any credits. This put her on the same footing as all the other incoming freshman.

Smooth the transition with an online public school

If you know for certain that you are going to enroll your child into public school, then you may wish to enroll in an online public school so that your child’s transition to public school is seamless. Be aware that online public schools are basically school at home, and expect the student to be in attendance for certain days and hours, to take standardized tests, and to adhere to other requirements that public schools have.

This is a good solution for many families who only plan to homeschool for just a year or two. An online public school is usually free, while an accredited online school has tuition.

Whether planned or unplanned, transitioning from homeschooling to public school can be an emotional journey for your whole family. Hopefully, the tips we outlined will help you to navigate this transition as painlessly as possible.

Sincerely,