Frequently Asked Questions Series:
For part of 2025, I have decided to do blog posts centering around frequently asked homeschool questions. I have been asked these questions or seen them in various online spaces. In this post, I will discuss the various types of homeschooling, just as there are different types of learners and even different types of public schools (such as charter, Montessori, STEM, etc.). I have found that there are nine common types of homeschooling.
1. Traditional: This mimics public school the most and relies heavily on text, a structured curriculum, and a structured schedule.
2. School at Home: This approach is similar to traditional schooling, but it may not rely as heavily on textbooks and may allow for a more parent-led approach.
3. Classical: Inspired by classical education, it emphasizes memorization, logic, and rhetoric.
4. Unschooling: A child-led approach with an emphasis on a child's interests and exploration. There are no set schedules or curriculums. Learning happens naturally through daily life experiences.
5. Unit Studies: Integrates multiple subjects around a central theme or topic. It allows for a more holistic and engaging learning experience.
6. Charlotte Mason: A holistic approach that emphasizes living books, nature studies, character development, short lessons or narrations, and habit training.
7. Montessori: This hands-on approach (often seen in today's preschools) focuses on hands-on learning, individualized instruction, and self-directed activities. It encourages exploration and discovery.
8. Waldorf: This places an emphasis on whole child development for their emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs. It incorporates art, music, and nature studies.
9. Eclectic: This approach combines many styles into one. It combines many or all different methods of homeschooling, as it either fits the individual's or family's needs.
Our family personally is very eclectic. We employ a Charlotte Mason approach in our Bible, History, and Literature classes, but we use textbooks for math. Our science program is a mix, and preschool is a mix of unit study and Waldorf. We also have an emphasis in the early years on mastery learning, where we work on a subject (e.g., math, reading, and spelling) with an emphasis on mastering the skill before moving forward to another topic. I will share more about this at the end of the summer, but we plan to switch to a Unit Study approach as a family for our next school year.
I hope this post has answered any questions you may have about the types of homeschooling available. If not, feel free to comment under this blog post or contact me via our Facebook Page or Instagram. For more in-depth conversations, check out our Facebook Parent Group.
Remember that this post is part of a series of FAQ's regarding homeschooling. This is the proposed schedule of past and future topics:
February
How do I start?
Am I even qualified to Teach My Child?
March
Who Holds You Accountable?
But What About Graduating and Issuing a Diploma?
April
What Should My Child Be Learning?
How Do I Choose Curriculum and What About the Cost?
May
How Long Does It Actually Take?
But What About Socialization?
June
What is the Hardest Part?
What Types of Schooling Are There?
July
What Do I Need to Homeschool?
How Can I Be Around My Kid All Day?
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