On a weekday morning, Rory Spangler sounds out a spelling list — lots, she, old; kitten, sack, sacks; ham, had, kick — as his mother, Kathleen, slides a finger beneath each word. Nearby, his sister, Fiona, practices cursive, hair falling across a page as she steadies the workbook with her left hand. And Aubrey reviews an English lesson with Mom. Dad helps, too; Rory’s eyes track his father’s finger as he guides the lesson.
The Spanglers of Akron are part of a growing segment of Americans opting to educate in house — literally — instead of utilizing public schools or other institutions. Students educated in U.S. homes grew to 3.1 million from 2021-22, up from 2.9 million students in the spring of 2019, according to the National Home Education Research Institute.
In Ohio, more than 53,000 school-aged children were homeschooled during the 2023-24 school year, according to statistics compiled by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Statistics for Akron and Summit County were not immediately available.
What are the requirements to homeschool in Ohio?
Families that homeschool must comply with state rules to ensure children are educated.
The first requirement for parents or guardians interested in homeschool education is to notify the superintendent’s office in their public school district that they plan to educate their children elsewhere, according to state guidance. A notice must be given within five days of beginning home education, and by Aug. 30 each year after.
This notice exempts students from compulsory school attendance mandated in state law.
How much money do you get for homeschooling?
Ohio does not offer stipends or reimbursements for homeschool education. Families are responsible for identifying and buying curriculum and materials, as well as delivering instruction.
What are the primary subjects taught in homeschooling?
Simple Homeschool recommends four subjects: math, science, history and Language Arts — a combination of reading, literature and writing (handwriting, spelling, grammar and composition). The website also recommends physical education, foreign languages and electives centered around a child’s interests, family priorities or future goals.
What homeschool style or educational philosophy works for you?
Take Treehouse Schoolhouse’s free quiz to find out.
How do you choose curriculum for homeschooled students?
Curriculum for children varies by age, grade level and a child’s aptitude and strengths. Also, adults will decide whether to incorporate religious studies.
Unlike traditional education institutions, homeschooling families enjoy an abundance of options. Same with selecting learning styles that better suit these alternative education settings — which are often tailored to one student.
This website is a recommended resource for families interested in learning more about curriculum.
Ohio Homeschooling Parents, a group that provides information and resources for families that homeschool children, recommends homeschooling teachers identify a child’s learning style and determine a homeschool approach before choosing a curriculum.
Can homeschooled kids get to college? Earn scholarships?
Yes, said Lori Greene, the vice president for enrollment management at Butler University in Indiana.
“A homeschool student will naturally bring a very different experience to the table,” Greene told U.S. News & World Report. “Many universities look for different backgrounds and experiences to enhance the overall educational experience and community aspect.”
What kind of groups are available for homeschooling?
One of the oft-cited downsides of educating kids at home is the social aspect traditional education experiences offer. But there are resources for that too.
Ohio Homeschooling Parents offers plenty of local and regional groups children can take participate in throughout Akron and Summit County:
- Akron/Canton Area Homeschoolers Facebook group
- Akron-Canton Area Homeschool meet ups Facebook group
- Akron Roman Catholic Home Educators
- Forest Friends & Explorers- Summit County Homeschoolers
- Medina & Summit County Homeschoolers
- Homeschool K.I.D.S. of Stow (and surrounding areas)
- Northeast Ohio Homeschool Collective