Seeking Other Homeschooling Moms in CHICAGO

Updated on November 13, 2008
H.C. asks from Chicago, IL
5 answers

Hi ladies,
I am relatively new to the whole "homeschool" thing...my 8 year old is home with me now. I have other children in a nearby private school but we can not afford for all of them to go. Anyway, I am still learning the ropes about CPS and wonder if anybody was doing homeschooling for their kids...would you please PLEASE (I'm begging here:) answer some questions for me: do I actually need to "enroll" him as a homeschooler? (I have not gotten a clear answer on this one.) Does anybody attend special homeschooling groups? Are there any websites or blogs which you could suggest for us being able to "get to know" more of Chicago whilst learning? Do any of the libraries offer programs? Any and all information will be very much appreciated!!

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M.K.

answers from Chicago on

I only homeschool part time, but I have joined some online homeschool groups, like CAHFT, which sets up field trips for homeschoolers, and also is a good source of networking. Google Chicago Area Homeschool Fieldtrips. Also, there is something called Illinois HOUSE which is for homeschoolers and they also do networking and field trips. You don't have to register or enroll as a homeschooler. Illinois is one of the few states that has no requirements for homeschool families--there is no testing, you don't have to show anyone a curriculum or anything. Hope this helps

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B.G.

answers from Chicago on

____@____.com is a homeschool legal defense group that can answer those questions...feel free to call me at ###-###-#### for everything else- it would be easier to talk live than type it all out!

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J.P.

answers from Chicago on

We are in our 4th year of homeschooling our now 10 year old daughter and absolutely love it! Our choice to homeschool came out of very disappointing experiences we had with 2 well-known, expensive private school in Chicago. We just became so dismayed with the level of education she was getting for the amount of money we were spending that we couldn't justify it any longer.

My husband and I have our own business so are able to be somewhat flexible to accomodate the homeschooling - we both work with her so it doesn't fall completely on one of us. Having said that, however, because we do have to tend to the business, we decided to use a homeschooling program called "K12" - http://www.k12.com (it is a fully accredited homeschooling program). This program has the curriculum for each level - kindergarten through 12th grade already planned for you. You purchase the books and other learning materials and access to the website - for our daughter it costs about $1,000 a year. It depends on how many classes you sign up for - she is taking a full load - math, literature, grammar and spelling, art, history and science. Also, what is nice is that you can do classes at different levels. My daughter is very advanced for her age in math and literature so is taking a higher class level, whereas, with history and science we decided to have her take her class level because she had gotten so little of those subjects in private school. They also furnish teacher guides and the answers to all the tests. Some of the lessons - especially in science are done online - which I find my daughter really enjoys. Anyway, K12 has been very valuable to us because we don't have to spend a lot of time working out a curriculum and schedule ourselves -plus we find that it is very thorough and our daughter is learning so much more than if she were in a public or private school. And so are her parents! It is really a lot of fun!

We also do supplemental things with her which may or may not tie in with her K12 schedule. If it is a beautiful day, we may just take the day off from her regular schedule and go to the Chicago Botanic Gardens to walk and sketch whatever we see - or maybe go to a museum - or build a snowman! It is just so nice to be able to that together - and not worry about her missing a day of school!

We have not yet been involved in any homeschooling groups but we do subscribe to "Home School Legal Defense Association" -
www.hslda.org. They keep us updated on any legal issues in Illinois plus their website has all sorts of information for homeschoolers. I'm not sure where you are in the city, but one homeschooler group I have heard a lot about is the Evanston Homeschoolers (not sure of exact name but I'm sure you can find their website).

You do not have to register in Illinois as a homeschooler. Also - you can be eligible for teacher specials and credits at many stores (for school supplies, books, craft stuff, etc.) - just make sure you tell them that you homeschool.

I wish you much luck in your new venture!

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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

Contact Julie Parache at ____@____.com She homeschools and is a world of info as well as located in Chicago.

Good Luck!

Tell her J. sent you her info.

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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

My next door neighbor has twins that were home schooled and I have a niece and nephew also. I don't want to alarm you but forwarn you to make sure your child has outside friends to play with and interact with for his emotional well being. He will never "fit in" like the other kids that go to school together. All 4 of these children grew up to be antisocial and never learned how to get along with others. I hope that knowing this upfront helps you in some way. Good luck. Bye the way, 2 of the children are geniuses and the other 2 have done very well in life monetarily.

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