5 Signs It’s Time to Switch from Homeschool

byChristopher E. Nelson

4 min to read
A mother helping her son with online school work

Homeschool can be an effective alternative to public school programs, but it isn’t always right for every family. For parents, the homeschooling time commitment can really take a toll as parents must assume responsibility of both curriculum development and the role of teacher. If you’re wondering whether online school may be a better option for your family, here are five signs it may be time to make a switch from homeschool.

 

1. You’re Starting to Feel Burned Out

If you feel overwhelmed with homeschooling, you’re not alone! Homeschooling can be exhausting for parents, especially when you’re trying to juggle other responsibilities like work, caring for younger children, and maintaining a household. Teaching multiple subjects to one child is challenging enough, but when you’re trying to cover a variety of subjects with multiple children at different K–12 grade levels, things can get hectic.

If you are feeling tired and stressed all the time and other family members are unable to lighten your load by assuming some homeschooling responsibilities, you may want to consider a less demanding way to provide your children with a high-quality education.

 

2. You Question Your Ability to Homeschool

Teaching is equal parts art and science. Without formal training, being an effective teacher can be a challenge. Many parents who use homeschool programs find themselves doubting their abilities. Feeling this way doesn’t mean that you aren’t well-educated or don’t understand the subject matter. Teaching involves a lot more than just knowing the material.

Certified teachers spend years in college studying topics like child psychology, cognitive development, teaching theory, instructional design, and more—and for good reason. Things like figuring out which curriculum to use, adapting materials to your child’s specific learning style, keeping your child challenged and motivated, and overcoming learning difficulties can easily overwhelm someone who doesn’t have formal training.

Even parents who successfully homeschool for elementary
grades may find themselves wishing they had a teacher’s assistance when their child begins taking more challenging courses in middle and high school. Many choose to find a new educational solution, like an online high school, to ensure that their students are taught algebra, calculus, world languages, physics, and other higher-level courses that will help them gain admission to college.

 

3. You’re Worried Your Child Is Falling Behind

When the subject matter increases in difficulty, it can be easy for a parent who has developed their own curriculum to skip some concepts and skills. If your child is suddenly breezing through lessons, it could be that the curriculum is not challenging enough. If you have concerns, you may be more comfortable with a virtual school that offers a curriculum developed by education professionals to ensure your student receives a complete education and meets important benchmarks.

A high-quality online school will provide you with easy access to your student’s lessons, grades, and teachers, so you can keep up with their progress. A quality virtual school program should also offer a higher level of structure and academic support than most parents without formal training can provide on their own at home.

 

4. Your Child Isn’t Mastering the Homeschool Curriculum

Sometimes you don’t have to wonder. If your normally bright, achieving child suddenly isn’t making the grade, the problem probably lies with the curriculum. It’s not necessarily the curriculum creator’s fault. You might have a well-structured curriculum that just doesn’t fit. Children learn differently, and their needs change as they grow and change. Most children can learn any subject, but educators have learned that the curriculum and teaching style need to align with each child’s learning style. An online school with a qualified teaching partner should be able to help you find the curriculum that motivates your usually eager learner.

 

5. Your Child Is Unhappy or Unmotivated

Finally, your child’s own feelings could be a sign that homeschooling just isn’t working. Tears, anger, confusion, and lack of motivation can all
indicate that it’s time to switch from homeschool. These things could happen occasionally in any educational setting, but if you’re dealing with a negative reaction to school on a consistent basis, it may be time for a change.

When it comes to how your child reacts to daily schoolwork, trust your gut. You’ll know whether your child is just having a difficult day or two, or there really is a deeper underlying issue that could be addressed by switching from homeschool to an alternative like online school.

 

Wondering How to Switch to Online School?

If you ultimately decide homeschooling is no longer working for your family, there are high-quality online schooling options available. Starting to research your options early is an important part of the process so you can weigh the pros and cons and find the best schooling option that will work for you and your family.

With Connections Academy® free online homeschool, certified teachers educate your  K–12 child online, from the comfort and safety of your home. This way, you can still be involved as a Learning Coach to support and monitor your child’s progress, but you’ll have a reduced time commitment. Plus, your child can benefit from working with an experienced certified teacher.

Making the switch from homeschooling to virtual school may be easier than you think. For many families, virtual school offers the same lifestyle perks they’re used to enjoying with homeschool, plus a few new ones. And if you’re concerned about the timing, here’s what one Connections Academy parent had to say about making a smooth midyear switch to online school.

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  • Top Reasons Why Online Schools Work for Parents

    by Beth Werrell

    Why Online Schools Work for Parents

    Imagine yourself in the shoes of a parent with a child who has asthma. Sometimes, asthma attacks keep your child out of school. He misses classes, homework, and tests—which means he has to work extra hard to catch up. This happens multiple times per year, and it's starting to take a toll on your child and your family.

    Now think about the flip side of this scenario: with online learning, your child's asthma attacks don't hold him back. Instead, your child gets schoolwork done at home in a time line that works for you and your family. No more missed tests, stockpiles of homework, or anxiety on account of falling behind.

    As a parent of a child in virtual school, you have access to greater flexibility and control. You set your child's daily schedule. You decide if your child can go on a family vacation and still get schoolwork done. You decide when the learning day starts and when it stops.

    These are just a few of the many benefits parents can experience when their child attends school online. Over the years, many parents have told us that Connections Academy works well for their family when they can:

    • Dedicate time to keeping the student motivated throughout the day
    • Provide ongoing guidance and encouragement
    • Help monitor student comprehension and progress
    • Organize and structure the learning day
    • Maintain regular contact with their child's teachers
    • Encourage their students to interact with others through field trips, clubs, and community activities
    Don't Take Our Word for It … Hear It from Real Parents

    Learning about what Connections Academy can do for your family is great, but it's not the whole picture. We want you to have all of the facts, both from the source and from those with firsthand experience, so you can make the right decision for your child and your family.

    Take a look at some of the reasons why online school works well for parents, as told on the Connections Academy Facebook page:

    Parent Involvement

    One of the most common reasons parents appreciate online learning is the extra time it unleashes to spend time with family. In particular, parents have communicated to us that it provides them with the opportunity to take an active role in their children's learning. Parents don't just act as the "homework helper"—if they wish, they can take a more proactive approach to what their children learn, like these parents below:

    "It gives us as parents the opportunity to see how our kids learn. Usually we rely on the teachers, but [now] I know for myself what works and what doesn't."—Carmisha W.

    "It allows us to spend more time together, learning together. It allows my role in their education to be more than a homework nag."—Amanda M.

    "My kids can focus on learning rather than the taunts of the many bullies in an overcrowded classroom."—Kimberly B.

    Flexible Scheduling

    Online education provides a much more flexible environment than a brick-and-mortar education. Even though roles and activities are carefully structured to ensure that students develop a love of learning and gain skills essential to their future success in school, parents can choose the daily routine and learning atmosphere for their children.

    "My boys can stand up, walk around, or bounce on a ball while learning. No sitting and listening to lectures. We have active discussions, which provides ample time for questioning and a deeper level of understanding."—–Jennifer C.

    "We have been able to really work with the flexible schedule. They have been to Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania, will get to go on an Alaskan cruise before the brick-and-mortars finish for the year, and have been able to travel with me for work and still get the schoolwork accomplished!"—–Darla T.

    "We can alter our schedule around trips and still not get behind on work."—–Elizabeth R.

    "My child can work when she needs to, she can enjoy her hobby freely, and I get to have her around me during the day."—–Cricket C.

    "I appreciate that he can work when he isn't feeling great because of his asthma. Sometimes he feels like he isn't sick enough to need a sick day and still wants to work. In brick-and-mortar [school], he would have been sent home and then be forced to catch up on missed work when he was able to return. Connections Academy allows me to monitor his health and well-being while continuing to let him thrive!"—–Amanda M.

    Are you a parent of a child attending Connections Academy? We would love to hear your perspective on why online school works for your family in the comments below.

    Or if you are considering enrolling your child in an online education, learn more about Connections Academy today.

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