Homeschool vs. Independent Study: Which Is Best for Your Family?

Trying to decide if you should be homeschooling your kids—or if there’s another way to keep them learning at home?

If you’re here, you’re probably wondering:

Should I homeschool my child?

You’re not alone. More and more families are asking this question, and it’s not always an easy one to answer.

I still remember how overwhelmed I felt when I decided to pull my daughter out of public school. She made it exactly three weeks into kindergarten before I said, nope, absolutely not.

Everyone has their reasons—some similar, some totally different.

Why You Might Be Considering Homeschooling

Maybe you see your child struggling, or maybe you’re just craving a simpler, safer way to learn.

Here are a few common reasons families explore homeschooling:

• You don’t agree with the school’s curriculum.
• Your child is having social issues.
• They’re falling behind developmentally or academically.
• You feel your child is overlooked because of large class sizes.
• You don’t view the school as a safe space (bullying, violence, etc.).
• You travel frequently as a family.
• You have different health or vaccination beliefs.

Honestly, the list could go on and on.

For us, it came down to a few core values:

• We didn’t want our kids spending most of their childhood away from us, under someone else’s control.
• We wanted to know exactly what was being taught.
• We love to travel.
• We wanted our kids to discover who they are—without peer pressure pushing them to be someone else.

Homeschooling vs. Independent Study—What’s the Difference?

Yes—there’s a big difference between the two.

Both options keep your kids learning at home, but they’re not the same. It really comes down to who’s in charge of their education—and where your curriculum comes from.

Think of it this way:

• Homeschooling = You are the school.
• Independent Study = The school provides oversight and curriculum, but you’re the facilitator at home.

Neither requires you to be a “professional,” but they do feel very different day to day.

What Is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling means you are your child’s teacher, principal, and whole school system rolled into one.

This is often called a home-based private school.

You choose the curriculum.

You can piece it together yourself or purchase a pre-made program. But ultimately, you’re responsible for everything.

Homeschool Requirements in California

(If you live elsewhere, double-check your own state’s requirements.)

• File an annual private school affidavit.
• Keep an attendance register.
• Be capable of teaching your children.
• Provide instruction in core subjects (language arts, math, science, social studies, health, and driver training).
• Maintain immunization records or a personal beliefs exemption.
• Keep a list of courses of study.
• Maintain a list of instructors with addresses and qualifications.

Who Is Homeschooling For?

This path is perfect if you want the ball fully in your court.

You’ll have complete control over your child’s academic life. The state requires you to show you’re providing an education, but otherwise, you wear all the hats.

What Is Independent Study?

Independent study is an alternative to classroom instruction. Technically, your kids remain enrolled in the public school system—but they do all their work at home.

This is the path we’re currently on. At first, I thought it would be temporary, but honestly, I’m loving it (and so are my kids).

How It Works

• Your kids get assigned a teacher through the district.
• You meet weekly to review work and get new lesson plans.
• You have flexibility, but the curriculum is provided.
• You can request adjustments or opt out of specific lessons.

I really enjoy this approach because:

• It removes the headache of piecing together curriculum from scratch.
• I still have input about what my kids are learning.
• The lesson plans are tailored to my children.

I’ve noticed my kids are thriving academically. While many of their peers spend 40 hours a week in a classroom, we’re doing 6–10 hours a week—and they’re still testing ahead.

They also get social time through weekly classes (art, cooking, maker space) and seasonal activities like gardening.

And when I get stuck teaching something (hello, math), I have help. I can bring them in for in-person support or hop on Zoom with their teacher.

Why We Choose Independent Study

Here are a few reasons it works so well for our family:

• No stress about building a curriculum from scratch.
• Flexibility to adjust lessons to our values and beliefs.
• Consistent social activities without daily classroom pressures.
• Less time sitting at a desk, more time as a family.
• Support from teachers when I need it.

Who Is Independent Study For?

Independent study is perfect for families who feel in between.

Maybe you want your kids home but feel overwhelmed by the idea of homeschooling alone. Maybe your child has an IEP or learning challenges that need more one-on-one support.

Or maybe you simply want to protect their learning path from the stress, peer pressure, and overcrowding of public schools.

Final Thoughts: You Know Your Child Best

At the end of the day, only you know what’s best for your family.

Whether that’s public school, homeschool, independent study, or another path—like a PSP or private tutoring—just know you have options.

Most parents don’t realize how many choices there really are.

I hope this helped ease your mind and gave you some clarity about your decision. If you have personal experiences or advice, I’d love for you to share it in the comments below.

We’re all figuring this out together. 💛

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