Can I Start Homeschooling Mid-school Year?

by Crystal
(Exeter, RI)

Can I Start Homeschooling Now?

Can I start homeschooling in the middle of the school year?

Hi Crystal!
Absolutely you can start homeschooling in the middle of the school year - there's no time like the present, right?! :) (I would always double check the laws for your state though, before pulling your child out of school.)

According to your state's laws (Rhode Island) you can begin homeschooling anytime. You will need to notify your school district's superintendent's office and submit your proposed plan for homeschooling.)

I began homeschooling my daughter more than half-way through the school year. I pulled her out over Winter break when she was in first grade.

In Michigan, where I homeschool, we do not have to register our children with the state or notify the school district.

However, I did talk to her teacher and the principal of the school, to inform them of our decision to homeschool and let them know she wouldn't be returning once school resumed after the Winter break.

It was a little difficult starting mid-school year only because I had to figure out where she was in each subject, AND I didn't have any curriculum picked out.

I asked the school for her workbooks, so that gave me an idea. The school may lend you the textbooks, etc. that your student is using. You can then easily see what your child has covered and what you still need to do for the rest of the year.

Depending on your child's age/grade, you may want to scrap what they have been doing and start something new that better meets their needs.

Most unit studies can be started anytime. With traditional curriculum, you will need to find a starting point based on what your child has already accomplished.

Here is a link to more information on your state's homeschool requirements, etc.
http://www.ride.ri.gov/Instruction/home_school.aspx

Hope this helps! Feel free to post additional questions if you have them.
Blessings,
Heather :)

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Jan 01, 2010
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an age
by: Anonymous

what if your child is in a higher grade like 7th would it be easyer or harder

Jan 18, 2015
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Mississippi Help??
by: Anonymous

I have read through all the laws in Mississippi for home school twice and I believe if I am reading them right I can also start my child mid-school year. But I would love a second opinion. I am new to home schooling and due to my husbands job we had to move from Missouri to Mississippi over winter break and decided as we were coming down here that we would like to try it out since we have not figured out exactly what district we will be in once fully settled and where we are we have not found a district we are comfortable with yet. If anyone can advise... I believe that the law in MS reads that I just have to fill out a certificate of enrollment and get it to the attendance officer of the district we are currently residing. I imagine they may need proof of her having been enrolled prior to moving here, but I think that may be it? Thanks for any help possible.

Jan 19, 2015
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Mississippi Home School Help
by: Heather (site owner)

Hi,

Congrats on your decision to start homeschooling!

After reading through the Mississippi homeschooling requirements, I believe your interpretation is correct. Most, if not all states/districts, allow for students to start homeschooling mid-school year.

It looks like the information you will submit is pretty basic - your contact information, the names and ages of your child/ren, and a simple description about your homeschool program.

Blessings,
Heather

Link to Mississippi Homeschool Requrements:
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/docs/dropout-prevention-and-compulsory-school-attendance-library/home-schooling---ms-code-37-13-91.pdf?sfvrsn=4

Apr 20, 2018
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Questions about homeschooling in Montana NEW
by: Emily

Hi Heather!

I just found your page and I am so excited that I have found it because I am getting minimal support and direction from our school district. My daughter is in 8th grade this year and she and I were both bullied by students, parents, and staff, so I made the decision a week ago today to pull her out. I am trying to figure out how to do this because she has been sick this year and due to that she has missed a ton of school. We did do school work on the days she missed, but I am wondering how to calculate that into the hours she needs because she was not enrolled as a homeschool student at that time. Is there a way to do that? She missed 60 days this year from being sick which I agree is a lot, but she physically could not stand up at school so I kept her home and she did her school work in bed and I turned in what I could. I just need some help and answers in figuring this out because I feel lost and alone. Thanks!

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