Homeschooling has been gaining popularity across the United States in recent years, with the number of pupils being homeschooled tripling in the last decade. Families have been drawn to the idea of offering their children an alternative to traditional schooling for a variety of reasons: tailoring education to the specific needs of an individual, better control of the curriculum, and allowing for more flexibility in a child’s studies have all made homeschooling an attractive option for many families.
But as with most things, there is a certain price to pay to homeschool your child. The cost of homeschooling is dependent upon a few factors, ranging from the type of educational materials to location-specific restrictions. But overall, homeschooling can be an affordable educational alternative if you know what to expect and how to save.
Let’s take a look at the cost of homeschooling a child.
How Much Does Homeschooling Materials Cost?
One of the biggest expenses of homeschooling is buying educational materials. Depending upon the age level of your child, the type of materials needed, and where you buy the materials, the cost can differ quite a bit. For younger children, the cost of homeschooling materials can be fairly low.
A good Basic Education kit for Kindergarten and first grade, for example, can range from $50 to $85, depending upon the age and level of the student. These kits usually contain basic materials such as a workbook, flashcards, math manipulatives, and other tools to help your child learn.
For older children and teens, a more comprehensive set of materials may be needed. Most high-school level materials for English, Science, History, and Math range in cost from $75 to $625 depending upon the materials and if you are purchasing physical books or digital products.
High-school level materials often include textbooks and lab equipment, so the cost can add up quickly.
Special Education Materials or Adaptive Equipment?
For parents of children with special education needs, there are additional costs associated with providing tailored educational materials to their child. Depending upon the specific needs of the child and the levels of assistance required, the cost of special education materials can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to special materials, parents of children with special education needs may also need to purchase adaptive equipment.
Special computer technologies for the physically disabled, for example, can range from $2,000 to upwards of $14,000, depending upon the specific capabilities the equipment offers.
Testing and Assessment
Homeschooled children are not required in most states to participate in standardized testing, but there are still costs associated with assessing your child’s academic performance and readiness for college. Standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT can be purchased for as little as $47 each, while more comprehensive academic assessments that include reading, math, and science tests can range from $150 to $700 or more depending upon the testing entity.
Time Costs of Homeschooling
Costs are not always measured in money. For parents who choose to homeschool their child, the primary currency of exchange is their own time.
Homeschooling requires a lot of time and commitment from the parents, and it is important to take this factor into consideration when making the decision to homeschool. The amount of time required of parents to homeschool their child depends largely upon the grade level the child is in and the intensity of the curriculum. For younger children, who typically spend only a few hours a day studying, it would be a reasonable expectation for a parent to be able to spend about 4-5 hours per week on schooling.
As the student progresses to higher grades, the amount of time and commitment required will increase. High-school level students, for example, may require 10-12 hours per week, or even more depending upon their course load.
Homeschool Co-Op Costs
For parents who don’t have the time required to homeschool their children, there is an option to join a homeschool co-op. Co-ops are educational communities usually organized by parents and open to a wide variety of families wishing to homeschool their children. Each family generally pays a one-time fee of anywhere from $50 to $500 to join the co-op, and then a small fee for each class the student takes (typically about $25 per class).
Most co-ops also offer additional activities such as field trips, social events, and fundraisers, and may have additional costs associated with these activities. That said, co-ops can be a great way to supplement homeschooling and allow parents to customize their child’s education further without having to take on the burden of teaching.
Location Specific Restrictions or Expenses
Homeschool laws vary from state to state, and it is important to take into consideration any local restrictions or expenses that may be associated with homeschooling before making a decision. For example, some states or localities may require parents enroll their children in an approved homeschooling program or may require parents to file additional paperwork or tests. The cost of complying with these requirements may vary, but should be factored into the overall start up cost of homeschooling.
What About Extracurricular Activities?
While extracurricular activities are not necessarily a required part of homeschooling, they can add a lot of value to a child’s education. Most homeschool programs will have their own extracurricular activities and sports teams, usually costing around $25-$50 per month. These can be great ways for children to socialize and gain exposure to a variety of activities.
In addition to extracurricular activities offered by the program, there are also many community organizations such as clubs, tee-ball, and local Boy and Girl Scout troops which welcome homeschooled children. The cost of joining these organizations varies depending upon the activity, but is usually less than $100 per year.
Questions to Ask Before Starting to Homeschool
As homeschooling is still a relatively new concept in the United States, there are many questions that parents should ask before starting the homeschooling journey. How much will it cost to purchase educational materials?
Will special education materials or adaptive equipment be needed?
Does the curriculum aligned with the student’s grade level?
Will testing and assessment be needed?
Do we have the time and commitment to homeschool our child? Are there any homeschool co-ops in the area?
Are there any local restrictions or expenses to consider?
Are there any extracurricular activities available? Are there resources or support groups for homeschooling families? Are there any regulations or restrictions about teaching certain topics?1 Are there any reporting requirements to the school district? 1 What resources are available to review curriculum materials?1 Are there any tax credits or subsidies available to homeschooling families?1 Are there any workshops or seminars available to educate parents on homeschooling regulations or curriculum?1 What types of assessment or accreditation is offered in our area?
Conclusion
Homeschooling provides a unique opportunity to educate children in a non-traditional setting with personalized attention. The cost of homeschooling can vary depending upon the materials, testing, and extracurricular activities but can be cost effective if planned ahead. It’s important for parents to research all of the costs associated with homeschooling, as well as any local regulations, before beginning the process.
Taking the time to do so can help to ensure that homeschooling is a rewarding and enriching experience for both parents and children alike.