Homeschooling is a popular choice of education for parents and students to consider, and it has become increasingly common over the past twenty years. Homeschooling at the secondary level, in particular, high school can be a financial, time-consuming and involved process that many people often overlook. For parents and students who wish to home school, it is important to understand the associated costs involved for successful learning, and the following questions answer this in greater detail.
1. What is the overall cost of homeschooling a high school student?
Estimates for the overall cost of homeschooling a high school student varies widely as it can depend on the type of resources and curriculum that is used, whether private tutors are hired, as well as where the student will take college entrance and other tests. The National Home Education Research Institute in the US estimated that homeschool families spends, on average, $603 per year on homeschooling.
That being said, costs can range anywhere from a few hundred to upwards of a few thousand dollars depending on the type of materials and services chosen.
2. How much do homeschooling materials and curriculum cost?
The cost of homeschooling materials and curriculum depend largely on the type chosen. For example, families often opt to use open-source, free materials which can reduce the overall cost substantially.
There are also a variety of online and pre-packaged materials and curriculum available, but the cost of these can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. That being said, there are various discounts and deals available, so families should shop around for the best deal. For materials and curriculum that require more regular upkeep and updating, such as textbooks, the costs can be quite expensive as new editions of a textbook can range from a few hundred to a few thousand additionally.
It may be wise to book rentals from larger distribution centers, or search for sites that offer used options.
3. Are there any other costs associated with homeschooling high school?
Yes, there are numerous other costs associated with homeschooling high school and these should be taken into account when budgeting for the school year. For example, students must take college entrance exams to apply to college, and the cost of these exams can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the type of test taken and frequency.
Additionally, there are classes, activities, or other materials that cannot be found at home which can incur travel and other expenses. Furthermore, students may wish to take part in formal extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and theatre. If these activities are not offered in the local area, this can mean additional costs for facilities, uniforms, volunteers, and trainings.
4. How does the cost of homeschooling the high school student compare to regular public or private schooling?
The cost of homeschooling a high school student varies greatly when compared to regular public or private schooling. Generally, the cost of public schooling is usually lower than both private and homeschooling. Public schooling is free, but parents do have to pay for by other materials such as school buses, meals, and extra-curricular activities.
For private schooling, costs can range anywhere from a few to tens of thousands of dollars per year. When comparing costs, it should be noted that homeschooling often requires a larger upfront investment in curriculum, textbooks, and materials, but the ongoing costs are usually lower.
Additionally, there are a variety of grants and assistance options available for public and private schooling that aren’t necessarily available for homeschooling.
5. How can families cover the cost of homeschooling a high school student?
Families can cover the cost of homeschooling a high school student through a variety of available options. First and foremost, families should research carefully to determine the type of materials and curriculum that best suit the student’s individual needs as well as their budget.
Furthermore, families can look into grants or other assistance options; many foundations offer support for homeschooling families. Additionally, families can always look into discounts, used materials, and to buy material in bulk or with print-on-demand services.
6. Are there tax credits available for homeschooling the high school student?
Yes, in the US, certain states do offer tax credits for homeschooling families. The qualifications for tax credits vary from state to state, and families should always research the eligibility requirements.
Additionally, many states also offer tax exemptions for homeschooled students.
7. Are there any alternatives to buying expensive materials for homeschooling the high school student?
Yes, there are certainly alternatives to buying expensive materials for homeschooling a high school student. For example, families can look into renting textbooks, or search for open source, free materials that are typically of higher quality than those sold for profit.
Additionally, libraries also offer a great selection of educational material and resources that can be borrowed at no cost.
8. Does the cost of homeschooling include extracurricular activities and college entrance?
No, unfortunately the cost of homeschooling does not include extracurricular activities and college entrance exams. These costs must be budgeted for separately.
9. Are there any other costs associated with homeschooling a high school student such as tutoring?
Yes, it is possible there are other costs associated with homeschooling a high school student such as tutoring. If the student has difficulty with a certain subject or activity, parents may want to consider enlisting a tutor to ensure the student understands the material being taught.
Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind that tutors may also require additional materials and supplies which can add to the overall cost of homeschooling.
10. Are there discounts available for homeschooling materials and curriculum?
Yes, there are certainly discounts available for homeschooling materials and curriculum. Many online retailers, publishers, and other vendors offer discounts to homeschooling families and individuals. Also, some stores and organizations offer bulk discounts, and free shipping for certain material and curriculum purchases.
11. Are there resources available for homeschooling families looking for grants?
Yes, there are numerous resources available for homeschooling families looking for grants. Most states, as well as various private foundations, provide grants for homeschooling families and individuals. Additionally, there are various online resources available where one can search for grants and assistance programs.
12. Are there any free options for homeschooling a high school student?
Yes, there are a number of free options available for homeschooling a high school student. For example, families can look into open-source, or free material available online. Additionally, libraries offer a great selection of educational material and resources that can be borrowed and used at no cost.
13. Are there any additional fees or costs associated with homeschool students?
Yes, there are a few additional fees or costs associated with homeschool students. For example, when homeschooling at the high school level, students must take college entrance exams to apply to college and this can cost upwards of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Additionally, if the student wishes to take part in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and theatre this can mean additional costs for facilities, uniforms, volunteers, and trainings.
14. Is it more cost-effective to homeschool than to attend a public or private school?
This is a difficult question to answer as it ultimately depends on the student’s individual needs and the type of schooling that would provide the best fit. However, generally speaking, the cost of public schooling is usually lower than both private and homeschooling, although parents do have to pay for by other materials such as school buses, meals, and extra-curricular activities.
As for private schooling, the costs can range anywhere from a few to tens of thousands of dollars per year. That being said, homeschooling often requires a larger upfront investment in curriculum, textbooks, and materials, but the ongoing costs are usually lower.
15. How else can budgets for homeschooling the high school student be managed?
There are various ways families can manage the budget for homeschooling the high school student. First and foremost, families should research carefully to determine the type of materials and curriculum that best suit the student’s individual needs as well as their budget. Additionally, families should shop around for the best deals and discounts, as well as explore educational grants and assistance programs.
Furthermore, families can look into renting textbooks, or search for open source, free materials such as those available online or through local libraries.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular schooling choice for many families, and it is important to understand the associated costs involved for successful learning. The overall cost of homeschooling a high school student can vary widely and depend on the type of resources used, but typically falls within the range of from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Additionally, there are a variety of options available to cover the cost of homeschooling, such as grants, discounts and free materials. Furthermore, families should research carefully to determine the type of materials and curriculum that best suit the student’s individual needs as well as their budget in order to successfully manage the budget for homeschooling their high school student.