Many parents are increasingly concerned about educational quality and the risks of placing their child in a traditional school setting. Homeschooling is one way to address these concerns and California is one of the best places to homeschool your child.
With some of the most flexible homeschool regulations in the nation, California parents have four options for homeschooling:
- Register as a home-based private school
- Educate your children with a private tutor
- Educate your child with a private school satellite program (PSP)
- Enroll your children in a homeschool-supporting charter school
No matter your reasons or which homeschooling method you choose, you don’t have to do it alone. Bridgeway Academy’s homeschool programs, you get expert-developed lesson plans, academic advisors, and resources for both your child and you.
These resources are invaluable for homeschooling success, but choosing the right program for your child and family isn’t always easy. To help you choose the best homeschooling program in California, we’ve outlined some of the key factors to look for.
Accreditation
Quality of education is a top concern for many California parents. Homeschool programs bring a wealth of educational options to your door, whether you’re planning to teach your child yourself or you decide to use an online school homeschool for your child’s instruction. Not all of these programs will give your child the high-quality education you’re seeking, however. Accreditation is one way to assess the quality of a homeschool program.
Accredited homeschool programs have been evaluated by an independent agency such as Cognia. Accreditation is only granted when the program meets—or exceeds—the agency’s rigorous standards.
Accreditation is not just important to determine the academic quality of a homeschool program. It also helps to ensure that your child’s education will be recognized by colleges, universities, trade programs, and future employers. Look for the Cognia seal of approval, as well as any other awards and accreditations the program has received, as you consider your child’s homeschool program options.
Proven Results
The number of families choosing to homeschool their children rose significantly during the COVID pandemic. The rate of homeschooling in California is still higher than pre-COVID numbers, even several years later. While a global pandemic is no longer the primary factor, more and more families have seen the value of homeschooling. There are also more homeschooling resources available than ever before.
In the last five years, there has been an explosion in the number of homeschooling programs available. Entrepreneurs, both with and without the expertise necessary to offer the best homeschooling programs in California, have built thriving businesses claiming to support homeschooling families with all their educational needs. However, only a few of these service providers have the history, reputation, or expertise necessary to support their claims.
There is no comparison between a newly-established homeschool program and one with decades of experience serving homeschool families. As you work through your homeschool program options, be wary of those formed in the last five years. Other parents are a great resource. Learn about their experience with the program, how their child did and where they are today. Be sure to also examine the educational expertise on which the program is built: where did it come from, and what kind of results can you expect for your own child?
One-to-One Academic Advisors
Academic support is an essential offering with most homeschool programs. How that support is delivered is a key differentiator between those programs. Many homeschool programs use a call center to provide academic advising and support. With a rotating staff of academic advisors, you and your child’s questions may be answered by a different person every time.
Call centers ensure that someone is always available to answer the phone, but the benefits stop there. You’re likely to receive generalized advice, or advice that is based on limited knowledge. Call center advisors don’t know your child, their goals and aspirations, or the things that excite them about their education or future.
The best homeschool programs in California offer one-to-one academic advising, matching your child with an individual advisor. Serving as a direct resource and partner in your child’s academics, these advisors get to know your child. They can then draw on that knowledge with every interaction, offering thoughtful guidance and advice to help your child through their unique educational experience.
Homeschool Communities and Groups
As homeschooling grows in California and modern technology makes connecting easier than ever, there’s no reason for you or your child to be lonely in your homeschooling journey. A great homeschooling program helps to facilitate invaluable relationships with other homeschooling families.
Virtual meet-ups, online and in-person field trips, and even live graduation ceremonies are all part of the modern homeschooling experience. For your child, the communities and groups offered by your homeschool program should offer invaluable connections to other students around the corner and around the world. Through these groups, your child can engage with other students through shared academics, athletics, or common interests.
For parents, homeschool communities and groups are just as important. By participating in homeschool groups, you have a space to connect with other parents, allowing you to share resources and advice, and supporting each other through your child’s educational journey.
Customized Approach to Learning
One of the best reasons to homeschool a child is the opportunity to craft a unique educational experience based on their learning style, interests, and needs. Every child is different, and a one-size-fits-all approach to education rarely works.
With homeschool, you can customize everything about how your child learns, including the subjects they study, the way they study them, and the hours that they are “in school.” Understanding and working with—instead of against—your child’s unique needs is important to help them be successful academically.
The best homeschooling programs in California learn about your child’s unique learning style and needs, make individual recommendations, and help you build a custom curriculum and approach to help your child learn. These top-tier programs are built on educational expertise that comes from years of advanced education and hands-on experience.
Funded by California Homeschool Grants
While there are many pathways to a great homeschool education in California, families that choose to homeschool through a charter school receive one particular benefit: financial aid.
Many California charter schools are set up to facilitate homeschooling while also providing access to the benefits of traditional school enrollment, such as technology, educational subscriptions, and assistance from educators. When you enroll your child in a charter school with the intent to homeschool, you may also receive a homeschooling grant to help pay for the costs of your child’s at-home education.
California homeschool grants can help pay for common homeschooling expenses, including homeschool programs, online courses, and homeschool curriculum kits.
Choosing the Best Homeschool Programs in California
If you’re looking for the best homeschool program in California, consider Bridgeway Academy. With more than 35 years of support for homeschool families, one-on-one academic advising, a 96% success rate in matching students to the right curriculum and learning plan, and robust virtual and in-person communities (including Parent Connections), Bridgeway Academy’s accredited homeschool programs meet all the criteria, including being accredited by Cognia, to help you provide a high-quality education that meets the unique needs of your child and family.
Bridgeway Academy’s comprehensive homeschool program options allow you to select the products and services you need for a customized education package. With everything from community groups to online classes with live teachers, we tailor our offerings to meet your child’s needs based on their learning style, personality, educational level, and future goals.
Contact us for more information by calling toll-free at (800) 863-1474 or register to attend our next virtual open house!
