Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool Mid-Year
A calm, practical guide for families ready to make the change
Making the decision to pull your child from public school mid-year can feel overwhelming.
You may be wondering:
“Is this even allowed?”
“What do I do first?”
“How will I know what to teach?”
“Will my child fall behind?”
Take a deep breath. Thousands of families transition to homeschooling every year, and for many, it becomes one of the best decisions they ever make.
Mid-year transitions are not only possible—they are often the exact reset a child needs.
Why Families Switch Mid-Year
Families choose to leave public school mid-year for many reasons:
Academic struggles or boredom
Anxiety, stress, or bullying
Behavioral issues or loss of confidence
Lack of flexibility for travel or family needs
Desire for a more values-aligned education
Wanting more creativity, movement, and real-world learning
Often, parents notice a shift in their child’s happiness and confidence within just a few weeks of being home.
Step 1: Remember You Have Freedom
One of the biggest mindset shifts when leaving public school is realizing this:
You have more freedom than you think.
Homeschooling is not about recreating the school system at home or asking permission to teach your own child. It’s about stepping into your role as your child’s primary educator and creating a learning environment that actually works for your family.
You are allowed to:
Move at your child’s pace
Focus on their interests
Teach in ways that make sense to them
Design a life-centered education
Homeschooling gives you the flexibility to build an education around your child—not force your child into a rigid system.
Step 2: Give Your Child a Decompression Period
One of the most important steps is also the one parents skip most often.
Do not jump straight into “school at home.”
Your child has likely been:
Following rigid schedules
Sitting for long periods
Completing worksheets and tests
Experiencing stress or pressure
Give them time to reset.
A Healthy Decompression Period Might Include:
Extra outdoor play
Reading for pleasure
Family walks or hikes
Creative projects
Cooking together
Board games
Building and tinkering
Visiting parks, museums, or beaches
This period may last:
1–2 weeks for younger children
2–4 weeks for older students
Longer if the child was very stressed or burned out
This is not “falling behind.”
This is emotional and mental recovery.
Step 3: Shift Your Mindset About Learning
Public school teaches us to think:
Learning happens at a desk
Subjects must be separated
Every child must be on the same timeline
Worksheets equal education
Homeschooling is different.
Learning can happen through:
Nature exploration
Cooking
Building projects
Reading together
Running a small business
Travel and field trips
Games and conversations
Instead of asking:
“What grade level is my child on?”
Start asking:
“What is my child curious about right now?”
Curiosity is the engine of real learning.
Step 4: Start Simple
You do not need a full curriculum on day one.
In fact, many families thrive when they start with just a few core habits.
A Simple Daily Rhythm
Morning
Movement or outdoor time
Reading together (20–30 minutes)
Midday
Hands-on project (science, building, art, cooking)
Afternoon
Math through games or real life
Free play or creative time
This gentle structure helps your child adjust without overwhelm.
Step 5: Focus on the Foundations
In the first few months, keep your focus on:
Core Skills
Reading
Writing
Basic math
Communication
Problem solving
Everything else can grow naturally from there.
For example:
Cooking
Math (measuring, fractions)
Science (chemical reactions)
Reading (recipes)
Responsibility
Building a birdhouse
Engineering
Measurement
Planning
Fine motor skills
Real-life learning sticks far longer than worksheets.
Step 6: Build a Support System
Homeschooling is easier—and more fun—when you’re not doing it alone.
Look for:
Homeschool co-ops
Weekly meetups
Nature groups
Library programs
Local classes
Online homeschool communities
Connection helps both parents and children feel supported.
Step 7: Remember—You Don’t Have to Recreate School
One of the biggest mistakes new homeschool families make is trying to copy public school at home.
You don’t need:
A rigid 8-hour schedule
Desks
Worksheets all day
Multiple textbooks
Most homeschooled children complete their academic work in:
1–2 hours per day (elementary)
2–4 hours per day (middle/high school)
The rest of the time is spent:
Exploring
Creating
Playing
Building
Living
And that’s where the deepest learning happens.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Transitioning mid-year can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never homeschooled before.
That’s why I created two programs to support families every step of the way.
From Earth to Sky Teacher Training Program
If you want to truly understand:
How children learn best
How to design engaging, hands-on lessons
How to teach without rigid curriculum
How to build a curiosity-driven learning environment
The From Earth to Sky Teacher Training Program gives you the tools, philosophy, and confidence to homeschool successfully.
Perfect for:
Homeschool parents
New homeschoolers transitioning mid-year
Educators and pod leaders
Anyone who wants to teach creatively
The From Earth to Sky Learning Collective
If you’re looking for something simple and supportive, the From Earth to Sky Learning Collective is a great place to start.
Your membership includes:
Monthly hands-on lesson plans
Age-appropriate activities
Practical homeschool guidance
Answers to common questions
Ongoing encouragement
Designed to make homeschooling feel:
Simple
Doable
Creative
Fun
Final Thoughts
Transitioning from public school to homeschool mid-year can feel scary at first. But for many families, it becomes a turning point.
Children often become:
Happier
More confident
More curious
More engaged in learning
You don’t need the perfect plan.
You just need the courage to begin.
Ready to get started?
Visit easyhomeschool.org to explore:
The Teacher Training Program
The From Earth to Sky Learning Collective
Resources to help you homeschool with confidence