Find a free online school you want to use. There are three types of free online schools: Those that are considered to be public schools, those offering Christian-based instruction and those that only offer a curriculum, (making the parent the main instructor). It should also be noted that with each of these categories, children can attend school full-time or part-time. If it’s the latter, a child usually takes one or two courses at a time. The rest of their education must be provided through another homeschooling program. Anyway, to find a free online school, your best bet is to follow the recommendations of other homeschooling parents. Examples of prominent institutions include: Connections Academy, Ecotohio and K-12 Free Homeschool.
Check the eligibility requirements of the institution. Each school will have a different set of criteria for enrollees. For example, Connections Academy will only enroll children who are already homeschooled. They also have limitations based on a person's location. And almost every school will have age restrictions.Of course, you are always free to call or email the school if any of their eligibility requirements seem unclear or confusing.
Gather any necessary supporting documentation. Like traditional institutions, many free online schools may request supporting documentation during the enrollment process. This could include copies of: your driver’s license, the deed or rental agreement to your house, utility bills, your child’s Social Security card, your child’s immunization records and your child’s birth certificate.
Act early. You need to apply as soon as registration becomes available. Most sites will let you know when enrollment will begin. Alternatively, you can also call the school. Either way, don’t drag your feet, since most of these programs receive a lot of applicants very quickly.
Follow all of the instructions in your enrollment package. Often, applicants will get rejected because they didn’t follow the instructions provided in their enrollment papers. So, make sure you avoid this problem by reading everything carefully and taking time with each of your responses.
Prepare your child’s learning area. Once your enrollment has been accepted, you will want to set aside an area of the house for your child’s learning. This area needs to be free from distractions. In fact, you probably shouldn't even have televisions or toys in there, since they may keep your child away from their lessons. Remember, when a child is attending a free online school, all they really need is a computer, a printer and a telephone.