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If you are considering homeschooling, there is a lot to learn before you get started, especially since there are more resources and options — including virtual and hybrid models — available than ever before. Atlanta Parent spoke to families about why they chose to school at home and what you need to know about this educational approach that is growing in popularity.

Homeschooling

“I loved the idea of being your child’s first teacher,” says Tomarion Mills, who has homeschooled daughter, Sage, since kindergarten. “We get to travel more, and I can educate on the road. I get to curate my family’s interactions with other families to find the right fit for homeschooling together and taking field trips. Every day is a learning opportunity, whether we’re at home or at special events.”

Homeschooling, which refers to a curriculum provided and taught at home by the child’s parent or guardian, allows families more freedom. “I get to do a lot of science,” adds Sage, who will start third grade this school year. “We get to do what we want when we want.”

“Homeschooling is a custom or catered education,” says Jennifer Henn, a homeschool mentor and author who homeschooled her three children. “Different kids are very different learners. For struggling students, they may need extra help or need more time. But it’s also ok if they’re ahead in some subjects.”

Different schooling might also help children with learning disabilities. “I have learning disabilities that were never addressed, and throughout school, I was accused of not trying,” Henn says. “As a little girl, I remember vowing to myself, ‘I will never allow my children to go through what I’ve gone through.’” When two of her children were diagnosed with learning disabilities, Henn was able to encourage learning without repeating the mistakes from her past.

Hybrid

For students with passions outside of school, hybrid learning allows them to pursue those without sacrificing academics, as it often gives students more flexibility by incorporating at-home and in- person learning. Students attend in-person classes several times a week, while other days are spent on virtual learning or homeschooling, depending on the program. This approach also works well for parents who want the homeschool experience, but may not want to teach every subject, especially as concepts grow in difficulty.

This year, five of Michelle West’s eight children are enrolled at Regina Caeli, the family’s 10th year at the school. Regina Caeli is a homeschool hybrid model, where students attend classes on Mondays and Thursdays and follow the integrated curriculum at home the rest of the week.

“I love hybrid education, because it provides more than just an educational model that incorporates the benefits of homeschooling with the structure and accountability of a five-day model,” says West, who is also the National Leadership Team’s Expansion Manager. “I love that I can continue to homeschool my children during the formative years without the stress of staying on top of graduation requirements, lesson planning, choosing curriculum, worrying about creating educational gaps and grading my children’s assignments.”

Denise Cobb was first introduced to school choice when the family moved to Atlanta so son, Noah, could be part of Atlanta United Academy. In his senior year, Atlanta International School’s AISx launched its partnership with Atlanta United Football Club Development Academy. AISx offers a flexible academic schedule with courses taught in-person or virtually.

“There was a big commitment from the school in exploring and offering nontraditional learning models to support kids, like our son, who were pursuing their passions and dreams,” Cobb says. “A tremendous amount of effort and thought went into developing Noah’s class schedule. It was tailored specifically for him and helped him focus on pursuing his soccer commitments while meeting his academic demands. Noah loved all his teachers and felt challenged academically while still being able to fully pursue and meet the demands of his soccer schedule.”

Noah graduated as part of the program’s first cohort in May 2024.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Elisa Jerrold homeschooled her children, Mackenzie and Lance. When the family realized how much they could accomplish outside of a traditional, five-day schedule, they looked into other options. They settled on Capstone Academy, a private school with a collaborative and flexible hybrid education for aspiring younger performers and athletes.

“We love it for the flexibility,” she says. “It’s a very child-driven educational environment. My kids pursue musical instruments; they know multiple languages; my son plays soccer, and my daughter is a pre-professional ballerina with Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre. They can pursue a lot of different things outside of school.”

Virtual

Melody Johnson’s son, Alex, started i-Grad Virtual Academy in 2021. Johnson first became intrigued with the option during the COVID-19 pandemic. This full-time virtual school is for Cherokee County students in 9th-12th grade. Virtual learning offers education via a digital curriculum taught either in a simultaneous or self-paced environment.

Schooling at home offers more flexibility for children who would miss too much of traditional schooling, such as children with medical issues, like Johnson’s daughter, Alyssa. She tried homeschooling, but Alyssa needed peers to connect with and educators who could provide specialized support. She joined i-Grad in 2022.

“It’s been incredible to see how they challenge and uplift each student to be the best version of themselves,” Johnson says. “But what really sets i-Grad apart is its diversity. From students with medical and physical challenges to athletes balancing academics and sports, everyone has a place here. And that’s what I love most — the fact that every student, regardless of their background or abilities, has the opportunity to thrive.”

Other counties in metro Atlanta have virtual programs, such as Fulton and Cobb. Georgia Cyber Academy and Georgia Connections Academy are public, virtual schools, and some private schools, such as Greater Atlanta Christian School’s Ethos School, also offer virtual education.

Socialization

For many parents, concerns about their child’s social skills may keep them from considering at schooling at home.

“Our families were concerned our child would be isolated not attending traditional school,” says Aminah Mills. “But it’s easier in the school system to fade away. It’s automatic — you either do it or you don’t. Sage has to impose her own personality, and she’s encouraged to work quite a bit on her social skills.”

The metro area has a lot of extracurricular activities for children, and Sage is involved in soccer and track.

Homeschooling can also help build multi-generational bonds. “Lots of homeschooling functions across generations, where students hang out with both older adults and peers. Nowhere else is like that,” Henn says. “I got to take my children everywhere and teach them to do everything, from grocery shopping to talking to adults to holding the door open for people.”

Hybrid schools have socialization built into them, as students participate and connect during in-person classes.

“Regina Caeli provides flexibility, consistency and a community for my family outside the classroom,” West says. “Through the field trips, gatherings for the families and cohesive spiritual formation, we feel Regina Caeli encourages a well-rounded approach in developing the whole person.”

Students are also invited to school clubs and events. At AISx, Noah was able to participate in traditional school activities, such as prom and graduation ceremonies. Alex and Alyssa are involved in multiple clubs at i-Grad.

With ongoing concerns about screentime, some parents might worry about children spending the day on virtual learning. “It’s understandable to wonder how kids can learn solely from a computer screen, but i-Grad goes above and beyond to provide engaging resources. They organize in-person activities that allow students to interact with peers and adults, fostering positive experiences for both students and parents,” Johnson says.

When You’re Ready to Start

If you are interested in pursuing a different educational pathway, consider this advice to help your family make the most of the process.

Reach out. “Talk to other parents,” Cobb says. “One can feel overwhelmed very quickly. There is no one size fits all, and you must find what works for your child and your family.”

Do your own research. “Every group has their own vocabulary, so it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with the methods,” Henn says.

Make sure you understand the requirements and reach out if you have any questions. “Regina Caeli students are considered homeschoolers, and each state has its own requirements for homeschoolers when it comes to registration, reporting and required subjects. However, Regina Caeli is still there to support parents by providing transcripts and preparation for life after high school, including a two-year professional development curriculum,” West says.

Give yourself and your child grace. With any change, there is a transition period. “Trust yourself,” Tomarion says. “You can teach your child. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Give your child and yourself a break.”

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