Database of Resources

New to Homeschooling?

Here are a few ideas to consider before launching into all the resources:
  • Know the homeschooling laws for your state. Since I'm in Texas, I can say from experience that Texas is one of the best places to homeschool. Check out Texas' homeschool laws at the Texas Homeschool Coalition's website. 

  • What is your "why" for homeschooling? Knowing why you are homeschooling will sustain you on those difficult days when you're ready to throw in the towel. It's so important to have a clear understanding (and maybe even a written statement) of your why for homeschooling.

  • If your child is currently enrolled in public school, you will need to withdraw them. According to the Texas Homeschool Coalitions website, "You are not legally required to register with your school district or receive their permission to homeschool but you must withdraw your child from public school if your child is already enrolled."

  • Choose a curriculum. There are so many different curriculums to choose from. I've listed a variety of curriculum publishers below but there are so many others. If you need some guidance in this area, please let me know. I'm happy to share what we've used over the years and make suggestions and recommendations for you and your family.

    There are a variety of homeschool methods. The goal is to find what works best for you and your children. Everyone's homeschool looks a little different (or sometimes a lot different!) and that's the beauty of homeschooling. Rather than listing and explaining some of the methods here, I came across a great website called aptly enough Homeschool.com that already has that information.

  • Start homeschooling! You can do it! Your children are the best and most important investment you'll ever make! 

  • Consider joining Texas Homeschool Coalition and / or Home School Legal Defense Association. Both are excellent organizations that offer tons of resources, support, legal counsel (if ever needed) and help for homeschooling families. 

Full-time / Part-time Home Education Programs
All the resources below are in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. 

  • Center for Home Education - Watauga; variety of classes available from theater to math, to science, writing and everything in between. (Personal review - my kids spent the summer at their amazing summer camps as well as a full year of science and theater. Both loved the classes and we plan on going back in the future.)
  • WACHE (Westside Area Christian Home Educators) - This is a homeschool co-op that offers classes for K - 12 offering core as well as elective classes. They meet once a week and students complete the work at home. (Personal review - Both my kids have take classes at WACHE as well as been a part of their teen group. Excellent organization!)
  • TAFA - Travis Academy of Fine Arts - fine arts classes plus core classes (Personal review - my daughter took ballet there for a semester and enjoyed it.) They have recently moved to Arlington, Texas.

  • The Oaks Tutorials - A classical university model school in Fort Worth serving children 1st through 12th grade. High school students can attend full time or take ala carte classes.

  • Pinnacle Christian School - Pinnacle is a hybrid homeschool serving the educational needs of families in the greater Parker County area by providing complete PreK-12th grade instruction. Students meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays for electives and a variety of classes.
  • Mosaic Academy - Private part-time school for home educators; K - 8 with high school classes being added
  • Christian Cottage Prep - Full-time or part-time school; specializes in working with students who do not fit the traditional classroom for multiple reasons.  Day School for K - 9th grade
  • Worldview Studies - Biblical High School for Homeschool; meets once a week in various locations around the metroplex
  • Matthew Road Academy - Full-time and part-time classes for all subjects in Grand Prairie

  • Legacy Classical Christian Academy - University model school offering core classes twice a week and Friday enrichment classes in the North Fort Worth / Haslet area.

  • Classical Conversations - Type in your zip code to see what is offered in your area. Most classes meet once a week and then work is done at home the other days of the week. (Personal review - my daughter was a part of CC for two years and my son participated for one year. It's a rigorous but excellent program.)

  • Shining Stars Homeschooling - Individualized tutoring and homeschool services; serving many areas in Texas including Dallas / Fort Worth

  • Christian Life Preparatory School - University model school; students in grades k - 6 meet twice a week; students in 7th - 12th grade meet three times a week

  • SHAPE Academy - Supporting Home Educators in Academics with a Partnership in Excellence. Located in Granbury they offer A La Carte classes for grades 8 - 12 and a variety of classes for kids in K-5. Christian and classically based curriculum is used.

  • Lift Homeschool Schoolhouse - Located in Keller, LIFT offers two and three day a week programs for kids in elementary through high school.

  • Arlington Liber Academy - ALA is a New Commonwealth School based on Leadership Education (aka Thomas Jefferson Education). It is a mentor led co-op with parent participation.

  • Cooper Christian Academy - Private Christian school in Crowley based on the on room schoolhouse model.

  • Gracewood Academy - Christian Homeschool Co-op in Bedford, TX

  • Northpoint Christian Academy - Christian homeschool co-op in North Richland Hills, TX. They offer Friday enrichment classes as well. 

  • Classical Solutions - A guided learning program for grades K-7 (8th grade is being added) in Fort Worth.
Homeschool Support Groups

  • Center for Home Education - Watauga; They not only offer classes for students, they also offer a class for parents who are new to homeschooling as well as a support group. They have a store where you can purchase curriculum as well. (Personal review - they offer classes for those who are new to homeschooling as well as monthly support group gatherings. I've been to the New to Homeschool event and both my kids took classes there. My daughter especially enjoyed her musical theater class. I would recommend CHE!)
  • West Fort Worth Homeschoolers - This is a great group of families who do field trips, vacations, and holiday events together. There is a small maintenance fee due once a year but it's well worth it. (Personal review - I listed the group under "Support Groups" simply because I have gotten so much support over the years from this group and have made so many friends because of it. These were my go-to friends when I needed help and had questions about homeschooling.)


Online / Distance Learning School & Curriculum
Distance learning programs provide an amazing alternative for families around the United States. My list is in no way exhaustive and does not imply endorsement. If you'd like more options, simply Google "Christian Homeschool Curriculum". Many companies now offer online options as well as print options. 
  • Time 4 Learning - I know many families who have used this platform and really enjoyed it. (Pre-K through 12th grade)
  • Compass Classroom - They provide several different classes for upper elementary through high school. Visual Latin with Dwane Thomas is excellent (he has a funny sense of humor). My daughter took his class for one semester. They also have a free resources for homeschooling section that include a downloadable homeschool planner.
  • Apologia - They offer print curriculum as well as online learning. We have used their science materials over the years and enjoyed it.
  • Center for Lit - They offer a seminar called Teaching the Classics for parents (I've gone through this seminar - excellent!) as well as have an Online Academy for students. Their focus is on reading high quality literature and working with students to ask questions using the Socratic Method of discussion. They also offer a writing portion for students.
  • Institute for Excellence in Writing - Excellent writing curriculum! We used these materials for two years and found them to be very good. Online classes are offered in addition to their print curriculum sets.
  • BJU Press - They offer video courses, print materials and more for grades K-12.
  • Alpha Omega Publications - They offer online, print and computer based homeschooling for grades K - 12.
  • Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool - Created by a homeschooling mom of six, this is complete homeschool curriculum is offered online for free.
  • Sonlight - Complete homeschool curriculum. Build your own package based on the classes your student needs or by the complete package for your student's grade level. My family used this curriculum for one year and it was amazing. All the lesson plans are done for you and it comes with the literature books, textbooks, and teacher books all in one.
  • Masterbooks - Homeschool curriculum for preschool through grade 12. (We have friends that have used their curriculum for years and really enjoy it.) Purchase the grade level set or mix and match the classes your students need.
  • My Father's World - Print Christian curriculum to use at home.

Online Private Christian Schools

Math

  • Pet Store Math Curriculum by Simply Charlotte Mason - My kids loved this curriculum! They pretended to own and run their own pet store while learning how to keep a ledger with income and expenses, how to write checks, and all sorts of math skills. It was a favorite of ours! Simply Charlotte Mason offers a wide variety of other print curriculum materials. The Charlotte Mason style of learning is learning from great books and is very hands on.
  • Hands On Equations - This was a fantastic way to introduce my kids to algebra and we used this program when they were in fourth grade! It is a visual learning tool that uses manipulatives to show math (algebra) in action. Highly recommend!
  • Tarrant County College Southwest Campus - Homeschool math classes in Arlington (possibility to expand the program to the South campus). High school level.

Nature and Science




Fine Arts and Music




Speech and Debate

  • DFW Speech and Debate - Communications and debate for high schoolers in various locations near north Fort Worth



Physical Education and Sports

  • Parker - Tarrant Homeschool Sports - Currently offering boys and girls basketball (middle and high school) as well as high school baseball.
  • THESA Riders - Offers a wide variety of sports for both boys and girls: basketball, volleyball, football, cheer and baseball.
  • DasCHE Spartans Sports Organization - Offers basketball, football, soccer, baseball and volleyball.
  • Chant Chargers - North Dallas area (Wylie, Plano, Frisco, Allen and McKinney) sports group offering football, baseball, softball and basketball.
  • Game On Arena Sports - Offering soccer and football as well as homeschool PE class (Personal review - We participated in the Game On homeschool PE classes for several years. By the end, my son was helping teach the class!)
  • Hurst Recreation Center - Fine Arts, PE and and Science classes
  • KOINOS - Homeschool community offering tennis, karate, gymnastics, guitar, cheer and twirling
  • Lone Star Gymnastics - Homeschool gymnastics class on Fridays in southwest Ft. Worth (Personal review - both my kids took gym classes for 3 years and absolutely loved it. I could not find the homeschool class listed online. Call them to confirm they are still available.)
  • 10.0 Gymnastics - Homeschool gymnastics classes available (Personal review - My kids love this gym!)
  • Bowman Sports - Sports camps and clinics as well as homeschool PE classes in Grapevine - Colleyville area
  • Champion ATA Martial Arts - Variety of martial arts classes as well as homeschool classes
  • Cutting Edge Fencing Center - Fencing program in North Richland Hills (Personal review - My kids took a homeschool summer camp there and it was awesome. They both loved the week-long camp.)

Public School at Home
As much as I would like for everyone to homeschool their children, I realize that sometimes you need to take baby steps just like we did. Even doing public school online at home eliminates peer pressure, bullying, teacher issues and so much more. Your home is the place you nurture and foster your child to succeed!
  • IUniversity Prep - A Grapevine - Colleyville ISD virtual Academy; tuition free
  • Texas Virtual Academy - Online charter school in partnership with K12 for grades 3 - 12; tuition free. All the supplies and curriculum are mailed to you but students are still required to follow all the testing and other state regulations. (Personal review - my son did one year of K12 and following the schedule of classes with a teacher online and doing homework was pretty straightforward).
     **This might be a good option to do for one year to help ease the burden of feeling like you're starting from scratch.**
  • Texas Online Prepatory School - College prep magnet school program authorized by Huntsville ISD for grades 3 - 12; Powered by K12; Online school; tuition free

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)