How to Transfer Your Kid from Homeschool to Public School
Homeschooling is a great education strategy that is practiced by several parents across the world. The U.S. Department of Education (2019) estimates that about 3.4 % of kids are homeschooled in the U.S.A. The many benefits of homeschooling justify this choice. However, many reasons may force parents to opt out of homeschooling. For example, maybe they just got a new job and will no longer be available to educate their child at home or perhaps the child wishes to get the experience of a public school. Whatever the reason may be, several precautions have to be in place to ensure a smooth transition. Here are a few things to consider when making the change from homeschool to public school:
1. Seek Academic Credit
You can ask an accredited learning institution to let your child take a standardized test and earn academic credit. While standardized testing is not mandatory for home-schooled students who are seeking admission to regular schools, allowing your child to take one can be a wise move.
First, a standardized test score will enable your child's new school to place him or her at the right grade level. Second, a transcript prepared by a parent does not carry as much weight as one made by an accredited learning institution. So, if your child has done a standardized exam, he or she will have an added advantage over other candidates that have not when it comes to admission.
2. Contact Your Preferred School for the Transition Requirements
The second step is to call the school to which you want to transfer your kid and ask the principal or the person in charge regarding the required documentation, transfer procedures as well as deadlines. Once you are advised, proceed to the next step.
3. Assemble the Necessary Documents
Most schools will require documents like a child's birth certificate, social security card, immunization certificate, and proof of residency such as an apartment lease agreement or a utility bill.
Since it can take time to assemble all those documents, it helps to start off immediately you get off the phone with the school. Plus, the fact that the deadline for new student admissions may be short, you want to start putting this stuff together ASAP.
4. Contact the School for Registration Steps
Once you are ready with all the required documents, it is time to start the admission process. Call the school for directives. Also note that enrollment steps may vary depending on the type of school to which you want to enroll your kid (public or private) and your location. Another alternative would be to go to the school's website and find the enrollment steps.
5. Orientation
Once you have completed the enrollment steps successfully and gained admission for your child, let the kid attend all the available orientations. This step will help him/her become familiar with the school, making his or her transition process a smooth and exciting one.
Final Thoughts
Transferring a home schooling kid to a public school can be a painful process at times, but with the right knowledge, it can be a smooth and exciting one. Follow my how to transfer from homeschool to public school tips above to place your kid in a regular school seamlessly.
