Homeschool vs. Online School: What’s the difference?

Your child’s education lays the groundwork for success in their college experience, career, and personal life. So, it’s no wonder that parents are rethinking how their kids receive a K-12 education. While traditional brick-and-mortar schools remain active and thriving, many parents are turning to academic alternatives, such as homeschooling and online schools, to better meet their children’s unique needs.

People often think that homeschooling and online school are the same, but while the two share similarities, they differ in important ways. This blog highlights the difference between homeschool and online school to help you determine which might be best for your young learner.

Online Schooling vs. Homeschooling

Both online learning and homeschooling unbind education from the physical classroom, taking learning home or on the go. As a result, there can be confusion surrounding homeschool vs. online school. Each gives parents and students more flexibility and agency in their academic journey, but how they’re structured, monitored, and directed is distinct.

What is online school?

Think of online school as a virtual spin on traditional school. Students attend classes led by certified teachers, follow a curriculum aligned with state education standards, and have classmates. Some online schools are accredited, too. They also stick to the traditional academic year calendar, with standard semesters and breaks. However, it all takes place online.

You can choose between public and private online school. Like brick-and-mortar schools, online public schools are tuition-free, while online private schools require tuition fees.

What is homeschooling?

With homeschooling, parents act as the teachers by creating the curriculum, leading classes, and grading assignments. Some homeschool families choose to purchase a ready-made curriculum. However, these curricula may be difficult to vet for quality.

Some states require annual assessments and ask parents to keep detailed attendance records and transcripts. These records might be necessary for a child to return to public school, get their high school diploma, or apply to colleges. Some states have stricter guidelines than others. Homeschooling parents should be aware of local legal requirements for their area.

Is online school the same as homeschooling?

They are not! However, there are some overlapping benefits, which is why it is so easy to confuse the two. So, what features do these two learning systems have in common?

Learning at Home

Both online school and homeschool take place at home. The home can be the best place to learn for certain students. Attending school from home also gives parents and students control over the environment. If you have an easily overstimulated child, you can create a study nook that caters to their unique needs in a way that isn’t possible in a traditional classroom.

Flexible Learning Environments

Not every child’s life or family set up easily accommodates a traditional educational path or schedule. Students with other responsibilities, such as athletes or students with jobs or caretaker roles, need an alternative way to work toward their diplomas while upholding other commitments. Both online school and homeschooling allow students and parents to fit education into otherwise busy schedules and can be done from anywhere with internet for added flexibility. 

Parental Involvement

Parents or guardians should be ready to have a more hands-on role in their child’s education, whether they opt for homeschool or online school. Even though certified teachers lead classes for online school, you’ll still need to ensure your child is attending courses, keeping up with assignments, and passing exams. With traditional schooling, you drop your child off at the door and attend a few teacher conferences a year. You have the opportunity for meaningful involvement and real partnership with your child’s teachers when kids switch to online school. 

Pacing

Some students find the traditional in-person classroom overwhelming and can struggle to keep up with the material. Both homeschooling and online school allow such students to learn more at their own pace, supporting learners who might otherwise fall behind. Homeschooling parents can structure lesson plans to adapt to a child’s processing speeds. Meanwhile, many online schools offer flexibility in when students complete assignments before a deadline and recorded classes and materials that they can access at any time, allowing them to move at a comfortable pace.

Online Learning Components

Homeschooling can be completed without computers, but most homeschooling parents integrate digital learning tools. Ultimately, both homeschool and online school harness the power of technology to educate children. Either option might use online lectures, digital texts, gamified learning, instructional videos, and online forums. 

Socialization Alternatives

There’s a strong connection between social skills and academic outcomes. Because homeschooling and online school take children out of the physical classroom, parents must facilitate other opportunities for their kids to socialize with peers. Even though some online schools offer extracurricular clubs and other social activities, parents might consider creating meetup groups with other homeschooled or online-schooled families, enrolling kids in volunteer programs, or involving them in local sports leagues.

What’s the difference between homeschool and online school?

The biggest difference between homeschool and online school is the level of agency parents have in the process. Homeschooling is an intensive way of life. Some parents choose homeschooling specifically for the control that comes with it, while others prefer the robust support offered by accredited online institutions. Below is a breakdown of the differences between these nontraditional academic paths.

Customization Potential

With homeschooling, the parent sets the curriculum. Some parents create their own, while others purchase curricula designed for homeschoolers. This allows for a high degree of customization, as parents can make a lesson plan that plays into their child’s strengths and accommodates their learning style.

Responsibility

With great freedom comes great responsibility. Homeschooling parents have more control over their child’s education. However, they also need to make sure that the curriculum they create or purchase prepares their child for college, jobs, and beyond.

Children attending online classes led by certified teachers follow the same curriculum they would learn in a brick-and-mortar public school. So, parents don’t assume responsibility for creating lesson plans or ensuring their child’s education meets state requirements. The accredited online institution takes care of that.

Structure and Accountability

Online schools aim to mirror traditional classrooms in a digital space. Students might attend live video sessions, participate in digital office hours, and even form virtual study groups with classmates. Between teachers, counselors, and peers, the framework for accountability is in place. Even when students watch recorded classes independently, they’ll still be expected to meet strict deadlines and take exams on a pre-set timeline.

Homeschool parents need to enforce a solid structure and keep students accountable on their own. When you homeschool, you are solely responsible for making sure your kid keeps up with deadlines, takes the necessary exams, and is on track to progress through each semester and grade within the expected timeframe.

Cost

There may be some significant cost differences to consider when comparing homeschool vs. online school. In most states, public schools provide all necessary materials, including textbooks and even access to a computer, and families have their own list of school supplies they’ll need to buy on their own. Some online public schools provide all the learning materials students need as well.  Homeschoolers, alternatively, assume the full cost of necessary materials. Financial assistance may be available to families who cannot afford to pay for homeschooling supplies. For example, the Home School Legal Defense Association offers grants for low-income homeschoolers.

Assessment and Grading

Just like traditional schools, online public schools administer all state-required exams and grade students based on criteria set by the local school district or school board. Homeschoolers, however, can create their own methods for assessment and standards for grading. Still, many states require homeschooled children to take standardized tests to receive their diplomas. So, homeschool parents will want to make sure that their evaluation techniques prepare children for state-mandated exams.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Homeschool vs. Online School

With so many academic pathways today, parents and students are empowered to shape a child’s educational future. Here are some factors to help the decision overload and that might influence your decision to homeschool your child, versus enroll them in online school:

• Your child’s learning style and needs. You know how your kid best retains information. Some thrive in a digital classroom with their peers, motivated by conversation and a fast-paced environment. Others require extra time with materials and prefer a more personalized approach.
• Parent availability and teaching comfort. Some parents get excited at the prospect of crafting their child’s curriculum. Others find this idea daunting. Ask yourself how prepared you would be to fully direct your child’s academic journey, from crafting lesson plans to teaching all the class subjects.
• Budget and resources. Homeschooling is a financial commitment, but the payoff can be well worth it. However, some families don’t have the resources to cover all of their child’s supplies and might choose online school because it can be more affordable.
• Desired structure or freedom. While some children (and parents) thrive when given control over their schedules, others can get off track without a solid structure. Homeschooling is inherently more free-form than online school, which is something to consider if your kid struggles with time management and self-discipline.
• State laws and accreditation concerns. Your child’s education must adhere to regulations if they are going to receive a diploma and prepare for college. Ask yourself if you’re comfortable navigating the legal complexities of homeschooling, or if you’d prefer an accredited institution handle that part.

When it comes to homeschool vs. online school, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s about understanding your child’s and family’s needs.

Ready to choose? Explore K12-Powered Virtual School vs. Homeschool

Today, parents have more choices than ever regarding their children’s education. Virtual schools and homeschool options have become popular for families seeking flexibility and freedom. It is essential to note, however, that while both take place at home or on the go, homeschooling requires significantly greater parental involvement, is more expensive, and may not always meet state-level educational standards. Online school reflects traditional public school, simply in the virtual setting. This relieves parents of the stress of teaching classes or worrying about legal complications. Plus, online public school is tuition-free and provides the supplies (if you’re looking at a K12-powered school).

Parents should consider their family’s unique needs in terms of scheduling, budget, and academic goals to decide which education alternative would best support their child’s learning journey. At K12, we power accredited online schools that align with state standards and use certified teachers ready to help your child thrive in a virtual space! Explore K12-powered online school today and learn how it can facilitate and enhance homeschooling.

 If you know you’re ready to make the switch to virtual learning, find an online school that works for your family or contact us now.

FAQs

Looking for additional information on homeschool vs. online school? Find answers to common questions below:

Is online school considered homeschool in most states?

No, most states do not view online school and homeschool as the same. Online school is the virtual form of public or private school, while homeschool is not connected to an accredited institution.

Does online school count as homeschool for legal or tax purposes?

Online school and homeschooling receive entirely different legal protections and tax benefits. Accredited online schools are guaranteed to adhere to academic regulations; homeschoolers do not always follow educational laws. Additionally, homeschoolers typically can’t write off costs in their tax deductions. The IRS tends to see homeschooling as a personal expense.

What’s the difference between homeschool and online school?

The most significant difference between homeschool and online school is that parents teach homeschool, and certified instructors teach online school. Additionally, online public school is tuition-free, while homeschooling has costs.

Is homeschool the same as online school regarding learning outcomes?

Learning outcomes are subjective. Any education that prepares a child to succeed in college, their professional life, and their personal life is a quality education. For some children, homeschool does this best, while others see better outcomes in online school.