How Much Does it Cost to Homeschool Online?

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One of the most asked questions when it comes to educating children at home is, “How much does it cost to homeschool online?” If you’ve wondered about what to expect when considering the online route for your homeschooler, then keep reading. 

Most homeschoolers will tell you that you can homeschool practically for free, while others spend a few dollars and some. So, I can't give you a dollar range for online learning. Homeschooling can cost whatever you want it to. But, the pay-off is how much work you want to put into it. The higher-end online courses require little prep and follow-up from you. Whereas using free resources means you need to go find them, compile them, present them, grade them, and record them.

I’ll be breaking down the level of expenses to help you decide which online homeschooling option is best for you and your family. 

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DIY (Do-It-Yourself) No Cost

The DIY approach to homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular among families, and rightfully so. Some parents like the idea of starting from scratch and attempting to find the perfect resources to accommodate their child’s unique learning needs. Families who choose this method often like to start by finding free resources.

There are a lot of resources to consider for the parent who would like to piece together their own curriculum for her children:

• • Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool: Created for homeschooling parents by homeschooling parents, this free K-12 online curriculum is the go-to if you’re looking for day-by-day suggestions, and from a Christian worldview.
  • Khan Academy: Easy to navigate by both children and parents, Khan Academy offers a free curriculum in the main subject areas such as math, science, economics, and history.
  • Virtual Field Trips and World Tours: Leaving home to visit a national monument or even the White House became a thing of the past with this resource. Easily explore from your computer and enjoy enhanced learning through livestreams.
  • Funbrain: Children grades Pre-K-8th can enjoy a game approach to learning while working on skills in math, reading, problem-solving and more.
  • YouTube: With proper parental oversight, YouTube can offer plenty of online learning opportunities in any and every subject you can think of.

This is a great place to start especially if you are new to homeschooling and still getting a feel of how it works for your family. These resources require little to no expenses beyond time, a printer, ink, and other supplies you may choose to use.

Low Cost

There are also low-cost options to homeschooling online. These would include digital resources, online courses, and some digital textbook purchases. Compared to the expense of co-op classes and print books, opting in to trying a few online education programs with low (family) memberships can save you a few dollars.

With online homeschool courses today, you can shop between all-in-one programs or search by individual subjects. This is a great option if you are looking to fill any particular gaps or add extra learning opportunities. Some local homeschool groups offer reasonable fees; however, these fees don’t always cover the cost of field trips, programs, and/or services. You’ll also find it significantly cheaper when purchasing individual or small bundles of printed books or educational apps.

High Cost

The high-end costs of homeschooling online comes when choosing schools and academies that offer tuition-based services with a wealth of other programs and services. These are often compared to the cost of private schools. Online institutions such as Laurel Springs School can cost upwards of four figures.

Most families who choose this route find it compatible with their needs of having everything in one place. It can certainly be worth the cost to have the teachers, curriculum, electives, testing, and other necessities all in one place. These options leave little for the parents to do besides fork out the tuition fees. 

Homeschooling online can be a reliable option whether you are looking to do it close to free or pay the big bucks. Regardless of which way you choose to go, keep in mind that this is just one of many options for homeschooling and it offers many good perks. 

Tell me – what has been your experience regarding the cost to homeschool online? Which of these options fits your needs?

 

Must-Have Tech for Homeschooling

2017 Acer Chromebook 11.6Apple iPad 2 16GBRoku Streaming StickDOSS Touch Wireless Bluetooth Portable SpeakerSkullcandy In-Ear Noise-Isolating Earbuds

 

RELATED POSTS:

• How to Become a Minimalist Homeschooler
• The 5 Best Places to Find Homeschool Lesson Plans Online
• Recommended Apps for Homeschooling (and why you should use them)

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