Determine where your current program fits into the progression of requirements necessary for establishing an accredited home school. Make plans to implement a home school accreditation program based on whether you already offer educational services or are just starting out in providing home schooling services.
Consider if you want to offer your home schooling program in a specialized area. Different accreditation organizations provide accreditation credentials for public-school-style curricula versus curricula associated with a specific religion. Also, for public-school-style curricula, accreditation organizations may require that accredited home schooling providers offer a range of grades. However, you can operate a school accredited only for either higher grades or lower grades. Consider if you want to get your home school accredited for Kindergarten through grade six or grade eight through 12, or some other combination.
Contact a recognized accreditation organization. For a startup home schooling program, consult an accreditation organization, such as the National Independent Study Accreditation Council, for guidance on establishing your school and meeting the accreditation requirements. For an existing school, request materials on the accreditation requirements. Review the materials and adapt your program as necessary to meet the requirements of the program.
Request an application from the accrediting organization once your home schooling program meets its requirements. Review and submit all materials, along with any necessary fees.
Recognize that as a home-schooler you have a range of accredited program options available to you. In a home school that is educating more than one child, you may choose different programs as best suits each student. Bear in mind, also, that you can combine programs over time for the best overall outcome.
Determine if you have particular values you want your home school program to incorporate. Identify the most pertinent elements of a program that you want the curriculum to incorporate such as strong religious allegiances.
Bear in mind when making decisions between accredited home schooling programs of a secular nature versus those with religious components that the curricula with a religious component tend to have more rigidity, while the secular programs offer more flexibility. Consider the trade-offs of these factors in determining which program, or progressive set of programs, best suits each child you plan to enroll in accredited home schooling curricula.
Contact one or more providers of accredited home school curricula that incorporate the curriculum elements you consider essential. For example, at least five popular accredited home school programs exist for Catholic families. Obtain materials on the coursework.
Review the programs to determine which program, or combination of different programs, best fits each child’s instructional needs. Enroll each child in the appropriate program or combination of programs.