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No matter where you end up in the world, you usually have the option to homeschool your kids. Homeschool can take a variety of forms and allows you to choose the curriculum style and delivery. There are usually some reporting requirements to prove you are adhering to the particular rules of your province\/state and to show what your kids are learning.<\/p>\n
These rules differ from place to place as does the level of funding you can receive for educational materials, so make sure you have a good understanding of what is required before committing to this option.<\/p>\n
There are infinite different homeschooling styles, running the full spectrum from highly structured to completely unstructured. You can choose to take some classes online if that works for your family. You can play games, do work in your community, and travel as part of your curriculum. Homeschooling is basically like a buffet where there are a ton of options available and you get to pick and choose what you want for each child, making it a truly personalized experience for each individual.<\/p>\n
It is important to note that homeschooling does require a higher time commitment from parents, who will assume the role of teacher in most cases. But homeschoolers tend to be great at building community so, if you decide to go this route, make sure to connect with other homeschoolers in your area for support, friendship, and fun! (Yes \u2013 your kids can still socialize without being forced to go to school for 6 hours a day.)<\/p>\n
A sort of hybrid option is online school, where kids can receive teacher instruction online for all their classes. This still involves them being at home, but it provides more of a typical school structure. While you get the benefit of access to teachers and more of a plug and play approach, it is less flexible and requires a lot of computer time for your kids, which isn\u2019t a fit for everyone. But it\u2019s another option to consider!<\/p>\n
Moving along\u2026 I\u2019ve heard many times over that what we parents experienced in 2020 was not, in fact, real homeschooling. So, if you were one of the lucky parents who was trying to teach your child the school curriculum while said child was crying and storming out of the room, you can rest easier knowing that what we went through is totally different than what actual homeschooling is like in practice.<\/p>\n
If that was your experience, as it was mine, don\u2019t let it scare you off homeschooling altogether! Take the time to do your research and speak to other homeschoolers so you can get a better feel for if this option might work for you. There are many YouTube videos, Twitter accounts, and social media groups you can follow to get a better understanding of how homeschooling could work for your family.<\/p>\n
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling<\/h3>\n
Pros:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Curriculum can be tailored to your family\u2019s values and to your child\u2019s interests<\/li>\n
- Lots of flexibility in what to learn and how to structure your day<\/li>\n
- Relatively inexpensive, especially if your province\/state provides funding<\/li>\n
- Children can learn at their own pace and pursue their interests<\/li>\n
- Self-directed learning fosters independence in children<\/li>\n
- No commute to school<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cons:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Requires a high time commitment from parent(s)<\/li>\n
- Regulations in your province\/state may not be homeschool friendly<\/li>\n
- Extra effort may be required to ensure kids are getting the opportunity to socialize with peers and make friends<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
International Schools<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nInternational schools are another option available to parents who decide to move their families abroad. Much like with homeschooling, there are a litany of choices available, allowing parents to tailor their kids\u2019 education to their needs, albeit not to the degree available with homeschooling.<\/p>\n
International schools are great if you want your kids to attend an actual physical school outside your country. They usually offer instruction in two languages: English and the country\u2019s official language, which can be a huge plus for kids and something that is very useful if you intend to live abroad for a long period of time.<\/p>\n
International schools can have all kinds of different philosophies and curricula. Some may have a focus on sports, while others may focus more on technology or the arts. Some have a Christian or other religious perspective, while others have no religious affiliation at all.<\/p>\n
Probably the most important thing to consider when looking for an international school, is the type of credentials your child will earn from their schooling. That is, what curriculum do they use and are they an accredited institution? Some of the most common curricula you will find are American, British, Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB).<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, in my research on this topic I actually found that there were schools in over 20 countries teaching a Canadian curriculum, which I did not realize was available and thought was very cool! It\u2019s kind of comforting to know that if we decided to bug out to Mexico if things in Canada got too crazy, we could still have the kids continue with their same curriculum through an international school.<\/p>\n
When you are searching for an international school, always make sure to check that the institution is currently accredited and legally authorized to teach the curriculum. This is fairly simple to do by checking the governing body\u2019s website (i.e. to check schools teaching the Alberta curriculum, I went to the Global Affairs Canada and Government of Alberta websites). This step will ensure both the school and earned credentials are legit.<\/p>\n
Finally, we can\u2019t talk about international schools without mentioning two very important factors: location and cost. Since these schools are location dependent, you either need to choose from what is in your area, or move specifically to an area that has the schools you want. Depending on where you are, your options may be quite limited.<\/p>\n
From a cost perspective, international schools can be very expensive, as they are private schools. The cost will be a function of the location, curriculum, and any other specific programs\/services offered by the school. If you want to check out an interesting chart with some more information on international school tuition, head over to the International Schools Database website<\/a>. Be prepared for some sticker shock!<\/p>\n
Pros and Cons of International Schools<\/h3>\n
Pros:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Wide variety of programs, curricula, and philosophies available<\/li>\n
- Great exposure to other cultures and languages<\/li>\n
- Access to high-end educational resources and facilities<\/li>\n
- Much less of a time commitment for parents<\/li>\n
- Potential to continue your home country\u2019s curriculum abroad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cons:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Can be very expensive<\/li>\n
- Limited selection of schools depending on your location<\/li>\n
- Less control over what your kids are learning<\/li>\n
- Less flexibility<\/li>\n
- Commuting to and from school is required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What would I choose?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nLet me preface this with a quick storytime:<\/p>\n
Back in 2020, I was horrified at some of the rules and restrictions some schools were implementing. I wasn\u2019t sure what my school\u2019s plan was as things were constantly changing, but I was not about to have my kids confined to circles drawn on the tarmac and not being allowed to play with their friends at recess. That spring I did a lot of research into homeschooling and, when it was clear the Covid hysteria would be continuing into the fall, I decided I was going to homeschool the kids. Yes, even after our disastrous spring session of \u201cschool at home\u201d (in French immersion!!!).<\/p>\n
Luckily, as it turned out, our school did not implement any of the crazier restrictions I had been fearing. So, midway through September, I decided to send the kids back to school. I believe it was the right choice overall, but I\u2019m still thankful for all the research I did and have a much greater appreciation and understanding of homeschooling because of it.<\/p>\n
Now, what would I choose if we were to move abroad? Honestly, with the costs of the international schools I think I would likely choose the homeschooling. BUT, I would be open to an international school if the tuition was reasonable and I loved the school\u2019s philosophy and curriculum and thought it would be a good fit for my kids.<\/p>\n
Suffice it to say, I\u2019m open to all the different options on the table!<\/p>\n
Which option is the right fit for you?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The most important thing I\u2019m trying to get across with this article is that you have options.<\/em> Naysayers will play on your insecurities and tell you that you are doing a disservice to your kids by moving abroad and taking them out of their current school.<\/p>\n
But the educational options are diverse and plentiful and, no matter which one speaks to you and your child, you can absolutely still ensure they get a good education anywhere in the world. As parents, we worry a lot about failing our kids. But I think sometimes we use that as a convenient excuse to not do things that will push us out of our comfort zones.<\/p>\n
It will take a lot of research, planning, and trial and error. But millions of families are living internationally and if they can make it work, so can you.<\/p>\n