What Is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling is taking care of your child's right to education, without enrolling them in a registered school.

Homesehoolers use a variety of available resources including excellent educational texts, teaching and learning aids and equipment, community resources, educational advisers and an abundance of incidental assistance and support.

There are also homesehooling agencies such as Home Education New Zealand that parents can register with. These agencies give assistance in how to gain a homesehooling exemption through to guidance in gaining secondary qualifications.

What are some of the benefits of homeschooling for children?

What are some of the benefits of homeschooling for parents?

Is homeschooling legal?

Yes! From the age of six you can apply to the Ministiy of Education for exemption from enrolment in a registered school. Those who are granted an exemption are eligible for the Homesehooling Supervisor~ s Allowance.

Do I have to be a teacher?

No. Although many teachers do homesehool their own children, the vast majority of homesehooling parents are not professional teachers.

What about teaching subjects I know nothing about?

As a parent you are a facilitator, helping your children seek out information and hook up with other people who can answer their questions. Most families gather excellent texts and teaching aids which make the homeschooling experience fairly straightforward. Those lacking in expertise in certain subject areas would find a self-instructional, total package curriculum such as Accelerated Christian Education very helpful.

Do I need a packaged curriculum?

Many families prefer a package curriculum like Accelerated Christian Education where curriculum content is pre-set. This eliminates any concerns about not covering important area of learning and also releases them from the pressure of constant preparation.

Other families prefer to select their own resources from the range available in New Zealand.

How much will it cost?

The Homesehooling Supervisor's allowance over 12 months is

$743 for the first child,
$632 for second child
$541 for the third child
$372 for subsequent children

Half is paid in January and half in July each year. This covers the majority of the expenses for homeschooling.

How do homeschoolers rate academically?

American research consistently shows that against a national average of 50%, homesehoolers score on the average in the 80th percentile.

What kind of people homeschool?

All kinds. The only thing many homeschoolers have in common is their commitment to their children.

What about socialisation?

Homeschooling provides unlimited opportunities for real socialising and learning together, not only with one's age mates, but with people of many different ages, abilities and backgrounds. Contrary to popular myth, children do not need large groups of peers to be socially content. One or two very close friends and a wide circle of friendly acquaintances can provide much more meaningful socialisation and learning. International research consistently shows that homesehooled children are socially more mature, have greater leadership skills and display fewer behaviour problems than their counterparts who have been educated in schools.

How do homeschoolers keep in touch with each other?

Through local support groups. These are in most areas.

Can I homeschool a child with special needs?

Yes you can, both legally and practically. Some of the greatest achievements in homeschooling have been by parents of special needs children.

Does homeschooling work for teenagers? Can they get into university?

Yes and Yes, Many teenagers are able to study subjects in depth and learn from apprenticeships, work experience and travel. It is definitely possible to pursue a tertiary education and homesehoolers are doing it now! Employers are actively recruiting young people with the skills which homeschooling fosters.

Accelerated Christian Education has qualifications recognised by New Zealand universities.

What can I do if my spouse/parents/friends are skeptical about homeschooling?

Many concerns about homeschooling are based on ignorance and misinformation. Often with times as skeptics have a chance to see how homeschooling works, their fears lessen.

The number of families choosing to homeschool is growing each year with the present number of students enrolled being over 5,000. Homeschooling is now more acceptable than it used to be.

How do I start homeschooling?

You need to apply to your local Ministry of Education Office for an "EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE." Don't let this process intimidate you most people are successful.

  1. Contact your local Ministry of Education office and ask them to send you the homeschool application information.
  2. Agencies such as Home Education New Zealand will assist you in filling out your application.
  3. When compiling your application pay regard to the following:
    1. You are under no legal obligation to adhere to the National Curriculum.
    2. You do not need to include a formal and/or specific timetable as part of your intentions.
    3. Your application should be a carefully considered, full and honest statement of your intentions for the education of your children. Simply "giving the Ministry what they want", without it being a true reflection of your homeschooling intentions, can ultimately put your homeschooling exemption at risk.
    4. You do not need to explain why you want to homeschool.
    5. Keep copies of all correspondence.
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