Today is my 10 year anniversary of homeschooling! It’s hard to believe! But I wouldn’t change a thing. For the past ten years, I’ve also been part of a very specific type of homeschooling known as hybrid homeschooling. This is also known as part-time homeschooling, or a university model of education. It’s always been difficult to explain in just a few words. So I thought I would finally write a full post in order to answer all of your questions!
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HYBRID HOMESCHOOLING
1. What’s hybrid homeschooling?
In part-time homeschooling or hybrid homeschooling, students go to school twice a week, and are home three days a week. Everyone at the school does the same thing, and is on the same schedule. Every student in their class is only on campus twice a week, and is home three days a week. In some programs, students have the option of a third enrichment day or third tutoring day. Also, in some programs, three days a week is required in high school, while just two are required in elementary and middle school.
You get the idea! There are a lot of different options, but the basic idea is that students are on campus some and home some. In most programs, but certainly not all, the school provides lesson plans for the parents to follow on their days at home. This also that means that the bulk of grading and testing is done at school, to help with accountability. It also helps keep all of the students on the same pace in the classroom. In this type of system, the school is responsible for all record keeping. The students are generally not registered with the state as homeschoolers, but are rather under a private school covering. The school takes the responsibility for follow all state guidelines.
2. Hybrid homeschooling is usually part of a private school, but can be done through public schools.
As discussed above, hybrid homeschooling is usually part of a private school. It’s something parents pay for on their own, separate from the public school system. However, in Florida at least, as a public school student, it is possible to take just a few classes at your local public school, and then take the rest online through FLVS (Florida Virtual School). For example, a student could physically go to school for band and math, but then take the rest of his or her classes online at home.
In Central Florida, there are many private school homeschool hybrids. In some, you are considered a private school student, but in others, you are considered a homeschooler. But in both systems, the program or school would provide a lot of guidance on how to make sure you are meeting all requirements. In Central Florida, I know of at least five hybrid homeschools just off the top of my head, without any research! A quick Google search should lead you to options in your area. And if there aren’t any, you might want to start your own.
3. If you can’t find one, you could start your own!
I have several friends who are registered with the state as a homeschooler, but meet together with friends for several subjects. Some even develop a more formal co-op, where parents take turns teaching or sharing their skills in order to form a mutually beneficial learning environment. This is obviously a great deal more work for parents than a private school hybrid program, but is also generally free. And it provides more flexibility for choosing curriculum and creating schedules.
4. What are the benefits of hybrid homeschooling?
There are so many benefits of hybrid homeschooling! I love the concept of homeschooling, but I also love the break that hybrid homeschooling gives me twice a week. In some ways, I end up feeling like I’m cheating as a homeschooler. I have so much support with lesson plans, choosing the best curriculum, extracurriculars, crafts, art, and so much more! I’ve often said that hybrid homeschooling or part-time schooling should also be known as VIP homeschooling. It’s a much more user-friendly version of full homeschooling.
With hybrid homeschooling, my children get to spend more time together as a family. They get the chance to create very close relationships with their siblings, and hopefully also with me. We spend time reading and learning together, and it’s such a joy to watch them grasp a new concept for the first time! I get to witness their minds grow and change right before my very eyes. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
5. Hybrid homeschooling gives you time to see the world.
Homeschool and travel go hand in hand. You know all about our goal to see all of the National Parks. This is such a part of our homeschooling journey and the learning process in our family. And hybrid homeschooling allows us to take these adventures and also stay on track academically. It’s very important to me for my children to meet their full academic potential. So while homeschool travel is very important to me, I would never want it to mean they were getting off track academically. With hybrid homeschooling, homeschool and travel are not mutually exclusive. We simply take our lesson plans on the road, and we are fully prepared to explore and keep up with our studies!
6. You can do it!
I’ve heard every excuse in the book on why parents think they can’t homeschool.
- “My kids would never listen to me.”
- “I would lose my mind.”
- “I wouldn’t know where to start.”
- “My kids are too smart to homeschool.”
- “My kids are too social to homeschool.”
For every excuse, there’s an answer. Just like most things, it comes down to this. If you really want to homeschool or hybrid homeschool, you can and you will find a way! And I would love to help you and encourage you! Feel free to DM me on Instagram or comment below, and I’m always available to answer any questions.
Whatever your plan is for your children, have a wonderful school year!