Dayton Area Homeschooling Resources

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Homeschooling continues to grow in popularity in the U.S.  and with that rise in popularity comes an increase in resources available to those who choose home education.
Lucky for us, the Greater Dayton area has a lot to offer to make home education an easier, more enjoyable experience for families in the Miami Valley.

Whether a new or veteran homeschool family, you’re sure to find something helpful below!

Understand the Basics

  • A great place to start if you’re just looking into homeschooling is the Ohio Department of Education website. Here you will find the basic requirements for homeschooling as well as opportunities for students to be involved with their local school districts. While this isn’t exactly a local-to-Dayton resource, it provides a great starting point for Dayton homeschoolers so that they can grasp a basic understanding of what’s required by the State.
  • Check out Considering Homeschooling? Keeping It Legal
  • Lisa Cox, BS., MS., Ed. is an Ohio Certified Teacher who provides academic portfolio assessments for homeschooling families in Ohio. If you decide you’d like to opt out of standardized testing, an academic portfolio assessment is required by state homeschool laws. Not only does Lisa provide these assessments, she is also a wealth of information for homeschoolers in Dayton and provides resources for families in the Dayton area and beyond.
  • Many parents are concerned about their child’s ability to participate in sports should they decide to homeschool. In Ohio, it is mandatory for your local public school district to allow your homeschooled children to participate in any extracurricular activities, including sports, that are offered at the school. Private schools also offer this option at their discretion. You can contact your local school district for more information.
  • The Dayton Metro Library is a fantastic resource for families looking to save money. You can utilize the library for books and materials for FREE! They also offer a variety of free classes, courses, workshops, and other programs and events. For extra insight with using the library, check out the Homeschool Curriculum for the Dayton Metro Library group. 

Find Other Homeschooling Families

Social media offers a wealth of meaningful connections to be found! Facebook is a great place to chat with other homeschooling families and find links to events and resources that relate to homeschooling specifically in the Dayton area.  There are also a variety of homeschool co-ops for families to join in the Dayton area. A co-op is a group of homeschoolers who work together voluntarily to provide their homeschooled children with access to knowledge, experiences, and friendships that they wouldn’t have otherwise. There are religious, secular, and inclusive co-ops to suit every family’s preferences.

Check out these groups:

Choose Your Educational Adventures

  • The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery offers homeschooling specific programming for members and non-members. Kids are invited to participate in engaging, age-appropriate science workshops exploring physics, biology, and earth science.
  • The YMCA of Greater Dayton has a variety of programs and classes, as well as sports teams and clubs that can be beneficial to homeschooling families. Some locations in the area offer clubs and classes specifically for homeschooling children that focus on hands-on learning in art or science. A membership to the YMCA includes access to their fitness facilities and a discounted rate for all of their scheduled activities. They also offer discounted memberships based on your income. Call your local YMCA to see if they have offer anything your family would be interested in!
  • The Dayton Art Insitute offers a variety of art classes ranging from preschool to adult. The Lange Family Experiencenter provides informal, hands-on learning activities in a relaxed setting.

We are very fortunate to live in a time and a place where homeschooling can be very easy and enjoyable for families who choose it. This list is by no means all inclusive as far as local resources go, so be sure to check out some other local mamas experiences and insights below!

I Think I Want to Homeschool but I Don’t Know Where to Start

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