Step I. 

If you are thinking about homeschooling, pray and read everything you can get your hands on. Homeschooling is one of the biggest decisions that you will ever make about your child’s education.  Make sure you know the laws in your state.  Go online and Google© the word “homeschool.”  Research! Research! Research! 
Here are some links to get you started:  www.hslda.org; www.ghea.org; www.heir.org; www.georgiahomeschool.com;

Step 2. 

Once you’ve made the decision to homeschool, the first thing you need to do is to formally withdraw your child from school.  Just go to your child’s school office and they will direct you on how to withdraw your student from their institution.

Step 3.

File a Declaration of Intent to Homeschool with your County Board of Education.  Click here (http://www.heir.org/pdf-files/doi2004.pdf) for a Declaration of Intent form.  Once you turn the DOI into the County BOE Homestudy Office, they will give you a packet with your monthly attendance forms and resources in your area.

Step 4.

Attend a class or seminar about homeschooling.  Orchard Academy offers FREE classes through the Spring and Summer months.

Step 5.

Decide what method or approach you will take to educate your child.  There are many options out there including Hybrid Schools for Homeschoolers, Online schools, or Co-ops etc. 

Step 6.

Research and purchase your curriculum.  Do not purchase any curriculum until you know the method that you are going to use to homeschool your child. 

Step 7.

Join a local homeschool support group or co-op.  Support is the key ingredient in successfully homeschooling your child.  Go to www.ghea.org for a list of support groups by county. 

Orchard Academy was founded to be a support network for homeschoolers.  Please feel free to call us at 678-290-8591.  We would love to talk to you and answer any of your questions!