Cumberland Christian Home Educators

Getting Started

If you’re thinking about homeschooling and need information to get started, you have come to the right place. Homeschooling may seem overwhelming but with a purposeful direction and a plan, your school can be a success! Read more about the legalities of homeschooling below and some helpful ideas to get you started.

Registration Open 8/27

Congrats!

First, firmly making the decision to homeschool is the key to success. Since homeschooling is a change of lifestyle, having a firm decision with family support is important to adjusting and pressing through any difficulties. This time should include research on homeschooling. Read, read, read! Make sure that you are making a well informed decision. There are many resources available on-line, so take the opportunity to discover all you can about the journey of homeschooling. Take time to set goals for what your family would like to accomplished.

Letter of Intent

Kentucky law requires that each homeschooling family in Kentucky submit a letter of intent to homeschool 10 days prior to the start of the public school in which their child would attend. The letter is to be mailed to the local superintendent and should be mailed certified with a receipt. CCHE requires a copy of the receipt be kept on file with the leadership team for all members.

If the first sentence, (Because of our sincerely held religious beliefs) applies to you, please include it as it adds an extra layer of protection to your homeschooling rights. In the last paragraph, only include your affiliation with support groups if you are indeed a member of said group.

Here is a link to the Sample Letter of Intent.

Beyond the Books

The next step in the homeschooling journey is to familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws of Kentucky. Make sure that you are correctly fulfilling all legal obligations. To be prepared for homeschooling, make sure you are aware of all deadlines and paperwork that must be completed. It is also important to keep copies of all paperwork for your own records.

Legal Organizations

The next step in the homeschooling journey is to familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws of Kentucky. Make sure that you are correctly fulfilling all legal obligations. To be prepared for homeschooling, make sure you are aware of all deadlines and paperwork that must be completed. It is also important to keep copies of all paperwork for your own records. Read more about HSLDA and CHEK in the next section.

Helpful Links

Why Join HSLDA?

  • HSLDA protects your right to homeschool your children and defends you should the need arise.
  • With HSLDA membership, seasoned homeschool parents are a phone call (or an email) away to help you on your homeschool journey by answering questions and helping you find necessary resources for your homeschooling efforts. Specialized help is available in the follow areas: The Early Years (K-8th grade), Homeschooling in High School, and Struggling Learners.
  • HSLDA is working on national and state levels to preserve your right to homeschool by promoting legislation that is homeschool-friendly and by stopping bills that would limit your homeschool rights.
  • By becoming an HSLDA member, you can partner with HSLDA to help homeschool families who need legal assistance.
  • HSLDA members stay informed and connected with HSLDA’s bi-monthly magazine, weekly e-alerts, and weekly e-newsletters for early years, high school years, and struggling learners.
  • Members are eligible to buy and sell homeschool materials in HSLDA’s online curriculum auction.
  • HSLDA members receive a $50-$100 discount on each AP class they take at Patrick Henry College Preparatory Academy.
  • CCHE members will receive a discount for HSLDA. Once you join CCHE, a group member discount number will be given to you. We strongly encourage every member to join HSLDA.

Why Join CHEK?

Christian Home Educators of Kentucky (CHEK) is a statewide homeschooling educational and informational organization established to assist families who choose to educate their children according to the dictates of their conscience and their fundamental rights as parents. CHEK’s goal is to better equip home schoolers with the necessary skills, tools, and information to successfully fulfill their convictions and the God-mandated responsibility to train and educate their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The CHEK Directors are volunteers working diligently to protect the conscientious rights of parents to control the education and upbringing of their children according to Biblical principles and Constitutional liberties.

CHEK exists to:

  • Promote homeschooling in the state of Kentucky.
  • Prepare homeschool parents to teach their children.
  • Preserve homeschool and religious freedoms.
  • Protect parental rights for all families.

Making a Plan

Now is the time to start your planning for your school year. Determine the schedule for your school. You will need to decide on a start date, end date, and hours during the day dedicated to school. This is also the time to try to plan out vacation days, filed trips, and any other activities that your student will be involved. This gives you an idea of what to expect and remember that your schedule is an overview and can still remain flexible. There are many examples of planning books available for purchase if you so choose, or you can just create your own.

Curriculum

After you have an overall plan, you should determine which curriculum to purchase that would work best for your family. There are a plethora of options and this stage will take research on your part. Your research could begin on-line, through resources available through a local support group, or by talking to other homeschooling families. One kind of curriculum choice is an “all-in-one”. These would contain all the subjects from one company, most including teacher’s guides. There is usually a plan included for the teacher and mostly requires following along. Or, if you would rather but together your own resources, this could allow you the ability to create what works best for your student. Remember that choosing a curriculum doesn’t mean that you need to continue using the same one year after year. If a curriculum isn’t working well, change (please note that it maybe important to do your best in finding a Math curriculum that works early since there can be different methods being used).

Finding Support

It is also important to join a support group. This would create opportunities for you to discuss issues, curriculum, and many other homeschool related topics with others who understand. It could also be a place where you find encouragement and support. This could also be an opportunity for your student to form friendships and participate in activities with a group.

CCHE has a built-in support group that meets during co-op class hours where non-teachers/assistants gather for comradery, encouragement, and a laugh. Ask questions and gets lots of answers from moms across all walks of life. There are over 100 years of combined homeschooling experience in the mom’s room at any given hour. This is a great place to build relationships with fellow parents for support for the homeschooling journey.

CHEK also has many support groups for the various counties in Kentucky. You can check out their resources on the CHEK website.

Setting UP Shop

After completing the above mentioned steps, purchase all needed supplies and set up your space for school. Make sure to look through all teacher’s guides for needed supplies to purchase before beginning your school year. Also, have a comfortable space for you and your student(s) to work.

Good planning is a key to success so now you’re ready to begin!

Sign Up for Email News and Updates!