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First, get to know us! Please read the membership packet. You can either print out the last page of membership packet or submit a request form online. From there, we will look over your request. Once you are approved and payment (in cash or check) is received, you will be ready to log into the site and have access to all benefits of the group.

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Exciting! Here are some answered questions:

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Pray! Homeschooling requires commitment and diligence from parents as well as student, and this should be a joint decision between your family and God. Like any journey you may be called to walk down, you may encounter challenges, but the rewards are infinitely priceless.

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You are now administrator, principal, and teacher of your homeschool! Rest assured that there are plenty of resources available to help you successfully educate your child(ren). Beyond the enormous responsibility of your child’s education are the joys and rewards of watching your child learn, having time to enjoy and get to know your child, and being their primary source of character-training and maturity, to name just a few of the benefits.

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If your child has never been in the public school system, you do not need to inform your district of your plan to homeschool. Homeschooling in the state of NJ is currently not by the state. As a homeschooler, you are required to give an “equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school,” including the home (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25). You are required to teach reading, math, spelling, grammar. However, you are not required to give standardized tests, though many choose to do so.

If your child has attended public school, you will need to inform the school of your intent to homeschool to avoid any truancy violations.  A notification form is available from HSDLA (www.hsdla.org) for this purpose. If you are contacted concerning your home school for any reason, explain your choice as one that offers your children a positive educational experience. It is best not to speak negatively about public school.  Be aware that you are not required to let anyone into your home without a warrant and it is best not to do so. You are also not required to have your curriculum examined or approved by anyone in the public school system. 

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Many homeschoolers say that choosing curriculum is one of the most exciting and challenging aspects of home education. There are so many options! Sometimes, this can feel overwhelming. Most curriculum suppliers offer merchandise catalogs.  A partial list of suppliers, their numbers and some websites is attached. Suppliers' catalogues are usually free. Reference books by Cathy Duffy and Mary Pride offer curriculum evaluation as well as other information that may be helpful to new home schoolers. 
Be sure to check out the local library for some of these books and don’t forget interlibrary loan if the book is not available at your branch! The public library does not have curriculum, but has many books about how to teach some subjects and also is a great source of informative books on any subject. Talk with other homeschoolers, or, if possible, attend one of the book fairs held in your area. The more you read and talk with veteran homeschoolers, the easier it will be to discern the best curriculum for you and your child(ren).

Most curriculums have teacher guides and/or lesson plans available. For those who prefer more guidance, umbrella schools provide curriculum, teacher support, record-keeping and testing. 

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The cost to homeschool each child varies considerably and can range from $100 to $1,000+ per year. The dollar figure is often inversely proportional to the preparation time needed -- the greater the cost, the less preparation time required. You, the parent, know your home situation best. For example, if you have several small children at home, you may need more help. Allow plenty of time for delivery of your curriculum (up to six weeks). Also note, flexibility is your friend and you have the freedom to be creative with your choices. Unless you choose an umbrella school, know that you are not locked into a particular curriculum or lesson plan. Family life is an important variable that you will want to accommodate in a reasonable fashion. Homeschooling is a learning experience in and of itself.

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After choosing your curriculum, plan a calendar for your school. Choose a starting date and a finishing date. Allow for holidays, sick days, teacher planning days, field trips, extracurricular activities, etc. Some home schoolers operate on a year ‘round plan and choose to home school only 4 days per week with holiday breaks throughout the year. Once you make your calendar, stick to it as much as possible. Gradually you will learn what works best for your family.  Be patient with yourself and your students since you are all making adjustments. And don't be afraid of what you don’t know. Many veteran homeschoolers can tell you of the great joy and special bond between parent and child as they learn together.

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Prepare yourself for every eventuality before you begin this new adventure. It is very likely that you have already experienced questions from friends, family and neighbors as you have considered this excellent choice of education. But most of all, remember your "why." Your decision to homeschool should be based on what works for your family and be a personal decision between you, your spouse, and the Lord. You can share as much as you want to with others, but you do not have to feel pressured by anyone's questions.

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You don't have to figure this out alone! Contact us at info@chuc.org with your homeschooling questions. Someone will responded to your email as soon as possible.