Quick Guide: the Cost to Homeschool
Considering homeschool, or just getting started? You may be wondering what supplies and materials are truly necessary, or what homeschool curriculum costs could be. What’s really important to know is that the cost of homeschooling can be totally manageable!
The beauty of homeschool (one of our most favorite things about it!) is that you get to tailor it to your family’s needs. On the whole, your spending is your decision because you get to choose and source your materials. Over the years we’ve learned that there are so many ways to be flexible… in how we educate AND where we find value in placing our funds. In this post, we’re going to cover the majority of things that can contribute to homeschool costs, and tips on how you can minimize your spending too.
This post is all about the cost to homeschool.
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Common Homeschool Expenses:
1. Homeschool Curriculum Cost
- This varies so greatly because there are SO MANY options, and at different price points.
2. Homeschool Requirements by State
- As a registered homeschool, you’ll need to be aware of the laws in your state to know if you have any requirements. This could be specific subjects that need to be covered each year, or portfolio / testing fees. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association is a helpful website for this info.
3. Homeschool Supplies
- Basic supplies (paper, pencils, scissors)
- Supplemental tools based on what you’re studying (optional)
4. Field Trips & Experiences
- Depends on your area. This is only an expense if you’re adventuring places with admission fees!
5. Co-Ops / Homeschool Groups
- Your local homeschool co-ops and organizations can be a fantastic way to enhance your family’s homeschool life! These usually range from smaller yearly fees up to a few hundred per month depending on classes and involvement.
Homeschool on a Budget:
a. Homeschool Curriculum Cost
Online / virtual homeschool programs, comprehensive book sets, PDFs, and everything in-between… homeschool curriculum is widely available to fit your needs. To keep your school curriculum costs in check consider:
- Free materials offered at:
- Your local libraries
- Ambleside Online
- The Good and the Beautiful
- The Good and the Beautiful also offers subjects that can be taught to multiple ages, family-style, such as science and history units
- Khan Academy
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
- Easy Peasy All-in-One High School
- OpenStax
- and many more! …this is no where near a comprehensive list of all that’s available out there
- Unschooling. This is student-led learning and not necessarily defined by a curriculum at all
- Purchasing curriculum from homeschool Facebook groups or other marketplaces
- Reusing your core materials for younger siblings
- Printing materials at home
- Sometimes PDF versions are available at a lower cost, and this can be especially helpful when you need multiple copies! I.e., buy it once, print as you need for each child.
- If you go this route, consider investing in an efficient printer such as an Epson Eco-Tank, found here + here. It can be time-consuming, but we have printed thousands of pages this way!
- Quality ink found here: Epson ink, and must-have 24lb paper to minimize the ink bleeding through to the other side
- Printing materials from Etsy. There are tons of homeschool resources found there, such as printable flashcards and homeschool unit studies on so many different themes
- Swapping materials with homeschool friends
- Selling your curriculum and supplies when you’re no longer using them
- Being organized. Because if you’re not, you’ll end up purchasing the SAME book you already bought last year, and not realize it until you’re past the return window. (Ask me how I know.)
b. Homeschool Supplies
You can officially become swamped in homeschool supplies if you really want to, or aren’t paying attention! But what do you really need if you’re trying to keep it minimal here? Check out the link below for a few of our favorite school room resources.
Homeschool Room Organization + Supplies
c. Field Trips & Experiences
You have kids. You’re going out and experiencing life together anyway, right!? These ‘field trips’ get to be so much better now, because you’re on your own terms and schedule. There are many places that offer homeschool-specific benefits too, depending on where you live.
Here are some ways you can still get great experiences in while being budget-friendly:
- Take advantage of free library programs! Ours has classes like knitting, robotics, chess club, storytime with animals, etc.
- Check to see if your library offers Museum Passes: free admission to local entertainment, art venues, parks and more on select dates
- Look into a City Pass / GoCity pass to see multiple places at reduced rates
- Every Kid Outdoors! State park pass for 4th graders and their families
- State parks, hiking trails
- Local farms
- Volunteer opportunities
- Homeschool days at LegoLand – multiple locations available
- Factory Tours (some free)
- Homeschool meet-ups / park days
d. Homeschool Tax Credit
At the time of this post being published, a federal homeschool tax credit isn’t available.
On a state level though, some may offer homeschool tax credits or deductions if you qualify. A quick Google search shows that states such as Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio and/or Wisconsin might have something available, or may have in the past. You’d have to speak with your tax advisor and do your own research on this!
There also may be opportunity for scholarships if you can find one that works for you.
e. Dual Enrollment for Homeschoolers / College Credit
Homeschool dual enrollment is a way students can earn college credits while still in high school.
This can be really beneficial because they’re not only getting a head start on college material, but also getting to ease into the high school –> college transition. The classes may be offered at a discounted rate, or for free, according to FinAid.org. And what they decide to accomplish in high school could reduce the time AND money spent on their overall college experience.
So even if you’re starting to homeschool, or if your kids are still very young, this is an option worth knowing about for the future!
Cost to Homeschool vs. Public School
What is the alternative? Obviously everyone’s situation is different, but in general:
Private schools have varying tuition / supplies rates; typically the most expensive option.
Public schools are free to attend, yet come with their own expenses, too. Expenses in the form of classroom supplies to purchase, field trip fees, professional photos, fundraisers, tickets to events, gas money if not taking the bus, teacher gifts, etc.
Charter school expenses would be similar and would likely have a uniform requirement.
Conclusion
Because the beauty of homeschool is OPTIONS, no one can tell you exactly how much your cost to homeschool will be up front. There’s no one right answer until you create it! You get to choose your homeschool path based on your family’s needs, and it can evolve and grow with you.
And if you’re feeling stressed about not adhering to the most perfect budget, or not having ENOUGH supplies, knowledge, or whatever, go back and look at the bigger picture – the homeschool life you’re envisioning overall. Remember the value you can provide your kids in giving them this opportunity! And remember there are always resources and parents who have been in your shoes that you could get advice from.
Lastly, trust that any challenges and struggles of homeschool life will fade, and the time you’re getting with your children now is… priceless!
Hello! I hope you’re having a great day. Good luck 🙂