SOMD HOMESCHOOL SUPPORT GUIDE

Whether you are new to embarking on your homeschool journey, or are a veteran; it is important to have support, resources, and information at hand so you can embrace the full scope of homeschooling. After five years of homeschooling my three boys; the most important thing to know is that you are not alone in your homeschooling adventure! There are a plethora of supplemental tools including: co-ops, umbrellas, tutors, community programs, and more. This article is here to help SOMD families navigate the many options available, so that you can tailor and design a learning program that works best for your child.

HOME SCHOOLING

Here are two important questions to address before diving into homeschooling… What is home schooling? What are the benefits? And How do I get started? Homeschooling simply put is when the parent(s) take full responsibility for educating their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional public or private school.  The homeschooling community began flourishing in the 1970’s, and has grown over the years to become a well established and popular choice. Interestingly, it is estimated that about 3.7 million students grade k-12 homeschooled in the 2024-2025 academic year. There are a number of reason why parents and youth decide to homeschool; according to the NHERI here are some common reasons given for homeschooling:

  • Customize or individualize the curriculum and learning environment for each child. You can tailor homeschooling to the level, pace and interest of your child; helping them learn and grow more effectively.
  • Accomplish more academically than in schools. A lot of time in the traditional classroom setting is busy work. By focusing on core classes at home you can complete more work faster and more efficiently.
  • Use pedagogical approaches other than those typical in institutional schools. You can investigate and use learning objectives, styles and theories that go along with your philosophy of education.
  • Enhance family relationships between children and parents and among siblings. Homeschooling offers a wonderful opportunity for family bonding. Instead of forced relationships in the classroom. Your children are forming relationships with family and friends that will last a life time.
  • Provide guided and reasoned social interactions with youthful peers and adults. There is less fear in questioning the unknown of peer pressure and negative influences that occur in the school setting. This helps your child form more meaningful and intentional relationships.
  • Provide a safer environment for children and youth. With the wide spread of bullying, violence, school shootings, drug and alcohol use, racism, and improper and unhealthy sexuality associated with institutional school setting, parents have less fear and children are safer with the homeschooling option.
  • As an alternative education approach when public or private institutional can not meet the needs of children with special needs and academic challenges.
  • Teach and impart a particular set of values, beliefs, and worldview to children and youth.
  • Home schooling is more affordable than private school in most cases. The average cost of homeschooling is $700-$1,800 per student annually.
  • Academic success ratings are higher amongst homeschooler’s. Homeschooled students score 15-30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
  • Higher college performance ratings. College students who were homeschooled earned higher first-year and fourth-year GPAs when controlling for demographic, pre-college, engagement, and first-term academic factors.

GETTING STARTED

Now that I have your attention for why. The next step is how to get started. Each state has different rules put in place regarding a parent’s ability to homeschool their children and all the laws that they must follow. For Maryland you will want to read over the rules of COMAR to better understand the standards for homeschooling in our state. Here are the links to local homeschool instruction programs by county:

  • Calvert County Public Schools Home Instruction Page- Link
  • Charles County Board of Education Homeschool Page- Link
  • Prince Georges County Public School Homeschool Page- Link
  • St. Mary’s County Public School Home Instruction Page- Link

Since my kids are in Charles, I can speak on this district. You will need to complete a form of intent with the local board of education to inform them of your decision to homeschool any child age 5 until they turn 18. It is a simple process that does not require much time or information. The form only requests basic information regarding name, age, grade  and place of residence of the child you are enrolling in home instruction. In the fall you will complete a simple review form indicating which subjects your child will study and submit it to CCBOE. In the Spring you the choice to have your student take the state assessment, or complete a Spring portfolio review which is usually in person. Don’t be fearful of reviews, you simply show 2-3 samples of work or proof of each subject studied to a review panelist. A Spring completion form will be filled out and you will be given a copy. You can skip the stress of reviewing and join an umbrella. Umbrella’s are an alternative resource to presenting a portfolio review to the county. There are a handful of options in the state of Maryland. A complete list Umbrellas can found here.

CURICULUMS

I want to note that utilizing a curriculum is not a requirement. However, curriculums can be helpful so many homeschool families use them. When choosing a curriculum to use, it is important to know what educational pedagogy and learning style work best for your family. There are a lot of great curriculums out there, so it can be overwhelming to pick the right one. I highly recommend going to a conference or curriculum store to get an idea on which ones to purchase. If you have any homeschooling friends, you could ask them to look at their books. Some companies offer trails or free online versions of their curriculum so you can test them out before making a large investment. Here are a few curriculum choices by type:

CHARLOTTE MASON

The Charlotte Mason style of learn is based on the philosophy of 19th-century British educator, Charlotte Mason. The method emphasizes study of the natural world, the use of oral narration (retelling a story in your own words) and “living books” (high-quality, well-written works of literature, biography, and other writing that engages the reader in a story or narrative) over tests, comprehension questions, and workbooks. Charlotte Mason focuses on providing a wide and deep education in all subjects, with an emphasis on gentle, natural learning progression at the child’s pace. This method values self-paced learning, usually delaying introduction of formal lessons until at least age 6.

CLASSICAL EDUCATION

Classical education gets it roots from the ancient Greek philosophy of the Trivium, meaning three. This style of education is divided into three major sections: Grammar (Elementary), Rhetoric (Middle School), and Logic (High School.) Classical education incorporates memorization and songs into learning for early ages to help them explore subjects, and integrates more discussion and thinking skills as students progress into older grades. An understanding of classic literature, memorization, and Latin are the hallmarks of a Classical education.

TRADITIONAL

This style is what many of us think of when we say “school.” Traditional homeschoolers might lean more towards using textbooks by major publishers, tests and exams, worksheets and workbooks.

UNIT STUDIES

Unit Studies is a style that focuses all subjects around a single theme, concept, topic, or element. Unit studies are sometimes called “thematic units” and this style focuses all subjects on a theme. Unit studies use multisensory learning centered around a single theme, concept, topic, or element. The objective of unit studies is to allow students to delve deep into a topic to obtain mastery of it.

ONLINE PROGRAMS & DISTANT LEARNING

Online and distant learning program vary from program to program. In some cases the student and parent are more responsible for managing the content; while other distant learning programs offer more than just electronic lessons, some offer online instructors who deliver the content and provides grading and progress reports.

FREE

The following are online curriculum resources that are free.

 

CO-OPS

A homeschool Cooperative aka Co-Op is a group of homeschooling families who come together regularly to share educational responsibilities and resources. Simply put, Co-Ops help fill the gaps of homeschooling by providing enriching educational activities or aiding in socialization for homeschooled children.

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN COLLABORATIVE

  • Location: Emmanuel Church- 3800 Old Town Rd. Huntingtown, MD 20639
  • Meeting Days: Tuesday/Thursday
  • Details: Anchor Christian Collaborative strives to serve the Southern Maryland homeschooling community in a way that is honoring to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and encouraging to our families, as we pursue instructing our children in the ways of the Lord. Offering classes and tutorial style programming.
  • Age Range: Elementary and Middle School Programs
  • Cost: $55 per class
  • Email: anchorchristiancollaborative@gmail.com
  • Link

CALVERY GOSPEL HOME EDUCATION

  • Location: Calvary Gospel- 11150 Berry Rd. Waldorf, MD 20603
  • Meeting Days: Wednesdays
  • Details: Academic oversight, classical tutoring, and parent led co-op.
  • Age Range: K-12
  • Cost: $
  • Email: homeeducators@calvarygospel.org
  • Link

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS

  • Locations: CC programming exists in all three counties! Charles county has established groups in Accokeek and Waldorf, as well as a interest in starting up in La Plata. Click on link below and search find a community.
  • Details: Classical Conversations is a Christian homeschool tutorial option for Classical Conversations is kids PK through 12th grade. CC provides a core curriculum that follows the classical method of learning. Classical education is a time-tested theory of education that prepares students to think critically, write persuasively, and present confidently from a Biblical worldview. 
  • Age Range: K-12
  • Cost: $$
  • Email: spalmer@classicalconversations.com
  • Link

HARBOR CHRISTIAN COOPERATIVE

  • Location: Dunkirk Baptist Church- 11275 Southern Maryland Blvd. Dunkirk, MD
  • Details: Harbor is about making lasting friendships and growing together. Our heart’s desire is to create a group culture of a committed community. Joining a cooperative is an important decision. Our membership process will help ensure we are a good fit for your family. If you are interested in joining Harbor, we require that you attend an Information Session. These in-person meetings help you gain a clear understanding of Harbor, how the co-op works, and if it will be a good addition to your homeschooling.  
  • Age Range: K-12 (Nursery available for younger siblings)
  • Cost: $225 Family Membership/ Additional Fee Per Class
  • Email: https://www.harborchristiancoop.com/contact-us
  • Link

IMAGINARIUM HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY

  • Location: Imaginarium – Solomons, MD
  • Details: New to homeschooling? Considering homeschooling? Looking to meet up with other homeschoolers in a safe and fun environment? Look no further! Imaginarium is hosting an online and in-person homeschool community where families can discuss homeschool related questions/topics, set-up play dates at Imaginarium, and find out about homeschool specific events hosted by Imaginarium. We look forward to having you join us!
  • Age Range: Pre-K – 12
  • Cost: $
  • Email: info@imaginariumplay.com
  • Link

P.A.C.E

  • Location: College of Southern Maryland – La Plata Campus
  • Meeting Days: Monday’s
  • Details: PACE is a Christian homeschool co-op. Parents As Christian Educators exists to encourage and support Christian families who are home educating their children in a Bible believing atmosphere. Homeschooling a child is one of the most selfless and admirable endeavors that a parent can undertake. While the rewards are unparalleled, the challenges and concerns can be equally daunting. Although parents are ultimately responsible for the academic education and Christian training of their own children, it is incumbent upon us as Christians to come alongside one another in support of this effort.  In order to provide a safe environment for Bible believing Christian families to educate their children free from the influence of an anti-Biblical culture, Parents As Christian Educators (hereafter referred to as PACE) will provide support and offer social and educational activities with a distinctively Christian perspective to homeschooling families. These activities may include, but are not limited to, group classes, special events, parties, sports, support meetings for parents, newsletter publication, and field trips.
  • Age Range: K-12
  • Cost: $
  • Link

SCBC HOMESCHOOL FELLOWSHIP

  • Location: Southern Calvert Baptist Church- 12140 H.G. Trueman Blvd. Lusby, MD 20657​
  • Meeting Days: Tuesday’s
  • Details: SCBC Homeschool Fellowship is a non-denominational homeschool organization.  We are a group of homeschooling families who join together to enrich families’ homeschool education.  All parents volunteer their time to teach electives and core classes to homeschoolers from kindergarten through high school.  We strive to offer a variety of classes that will challenge and excite our children.  We are not a drop off co-op and all adults are required to participate each week.  We are not designed to replace your home instruction.  Instead, we seek to provide extra activities that make your homeschool experience more fulfilling.
  • Age Range: K-12
  • Cost: $100 Family Registration Fee/ $10-20 Per Class Supply Fee
  • Email: scbchsf@gmail.com
  • Link

SOUTHERN MARYLAND HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY

  • Location: Multiple Locations
  • Meeting Days: Tuesday/Thursday
  • Details: The Southern Maryland Homeschool Community is a secular and inclusive group that welcomes ALL homeschoolers and is based in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. Co-op parents volunteer as teachers in two sessions each school day, with two classes offered each session. Members can choose from 8 different classes each week. Our co-op has group parties, gatherings, and field trips.
  • Age Range: K-12
  • Cost: $150 Membership Fee/Fee per class
  • Email: info@somdhomeschool.org
  • Link

SPEAR

  • Location: South Potomac Church- 4915 Crain Highway, White Plains, MD 20695
  • Meeting Days: Monday’s
  • Details: SPEAR  (South Potomac Educational Alternative Resource) is a Christ-centered homeschool support group serving families of South Potomac Church and the Charles County, Maryland, community. We are approved as an Umbrella School with the Maryland State Board of Education. As space is available, members my enroll with the SPEAR Academy Umbrella Program and receive regular oversight from a peer advisor.
  • Age Range: Nursery – High School
  • Cost: $100 Registration Fee
  • Email: spearbd@gmail.com
  • Link

THE NEIGHBORHOOD CREATIVE ARTS CENTER – EFH CO-OP

  • Location: College of Southern Maryland – La Plata Campus
  • Meeting Days: Tuesday’s
  • Details: EFH offers students the opportunity to shine, both individually and as a member of a team, fostering self-confidence, determination, collaboration, and a love of exploring and learning. Parents are an integral part of our EFH program, assisting with teaching, character development, and field trips. This is not a drop-off program.
  • Age Range: 3-16
  • Cost: $160 per family per term (2 terms)
  • Email: msgeorgia@neighborhoodcreativeartscenter.org
  • Link

WONDER AND BLOOM

  • Location: College of Southern Maryland – La Plata Campus
  • Meeting Days: Wednesday’s
  • Details: WBHC seeks to help homeschool families deliver a rewarding educational experience and social enrichment together with peer and community engagement. We do this by facilitating an inclusive and intersectional homeschool community, welcoming all religious and spiritual backgrounds without promoting faith-based views or practices, and centering LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, BIPOC, and other marginalized groups. We are a safe and supportive space for Trans and Non-binary youth. We value communication, mutual respect, empathy, and equity in the educational experience.
  • Age Range: K-12
  • Cost: $
  • Email: wonderandbloomhc@gmail.com
  • Link

TUTORIALS, DROP-OFFS & SUPPORT PROGRAMS

ANCESTERAL KNOWLEDGE

  • Location: DC Metro Area
  • Meeting Days: Varies
  • Details: Ancestral Knowledge offers a wide range of topics for all levels of experience on the topics of; nature awareness, primitive technology, and traditional earth based living skills. Ancestral Knowledge is the first of its kind in the DC Metro area to offer educational experiences in this field of knowledge. All of our programs intertwine two methods of teaching; Experiential Education-“learning by doing” and Coyote Teaching-“guiding not giving”. Ancestral Knowledge is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization is operated by a community of naturalists who specialize in ancient life skills and philosophies that support sustainable lifestyles.
  • Age Range: Elementary – High School
  • Cost: $
  • Email: ak@ancestralknowledge.org
  • Link

BREATHE TURORIAL SERVICE

  • Location: Dunkirk, MD
  • Details: BREATHE Tutorial Services is a Homeschool Community with the mission to provide a Christian based educational curriculum enriched with lots of elective class options with Art, Music, and Theater at the heart. Our core values are spelled out in our name: Believe, Rhythm, Education, Art, Theater, Health, and that you are Enough!
  • Age Range: K-12
  • Cost: $
  • Link

CHARLES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY – ART & SCIENCE CLASSES

  • Location: Charles County Public Library- La Plata and Potomac Branch
  • Week Days: Wednesday & Thursday Options (2PM-3PM)
  • Details: CCPL alternates art & STEM lessons every week throughout the school year. Be sure to register, slots fill fast. Link below takes you to the CCPL calendar where events are listed.
  • Age Range: Elementary – Middle School
  • Cost: FREE
  • Link

COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND – KIDS COLLEGE HOMESCHOOL 

  • Locations: College of Southern Maryland – La Plata, Prince Frederick & Leonardtown Campus’s
  • Meeting Days: La Plata- Friday
  • Details: Inspiring young minds is at the heart of Kids’ & Teen College. We offer dynamic courses in music, theater, dance, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). From year-round classes and summer programs to music lessons, tutoring, test prep, and homeschool options—there’s something for every learner. Led by CSM faculty and industry pros, our programs spark curiosity and build confidence for the future. Offers course selections one day a week from 9AM-3PM for 10-12 weeks in both the fall and spring.
  • Age Range: 5-17
  • Cost: $125 per class
  • Email: awarrick@csmd.edu
  • Link

HUMANE SOCIETY – HOMESCHOOL DAYS

  • Location: Humane Society of Charles County- Industrial Park Dr. Waldorf, MD
  • Dates: One Friday per month
  • Details: The Humane Society offers a drop-off program for elementary and middle school aged students. Animals make learning fun! Every session a new animal topic is covers science, art, environment, and more.
  • Age Range: K-8
  • Cost: $25 Per Class/ $180 – All 8 Classes
  • Email: hscchumaneeducation@gmail.com
  • Link

OUR TOWN TUTORIAL

  • Location: College of Southern Maryland- La Plata Campus
  • Meeting Days: Thursdays
  • Details: Our Town Tutorial is for families looking for support while teaching their children at home. Our tutors are Christians who hold strong, traditional convictions. All classes are approached with a biblical worldview.
  • Age Range: K-12
  • Cost: $125 per class per term (2 terms)
  • Email: ourtowntutorial@gmail.com
  • Link

NEWLIFE TUTORIAL

  • Location: 3170 German Chapel Road, Prince Frederick, MD
  • Meeting Days: Drop off Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-2:45
  • Details: We offer organized classes that cover CORE subjects: language arts, history, science, math and Bible while providing guidance to equip parents.
  • Age Range: K-12 (Nursery available for younger siblings)
  • Cost: $25/30 Session
  • Email: tutorial@mynlc.org
  • Link

READING GARDEN

  • Location: Charles County
  • Details: The Reading Garden Club is a parent education + tutoring service providing phonics-focused reading resources for families of young children. Instruction and resources are designed by myself, Director and Head Gardener, Elisabeth Forde.
  • Age Range: Pre-K/ Early Elementary School
  • Cost: $
  • Email: elizabeth@readinggardenclub.com
  • Link

ST MARYS CITY – HOMESCHOOL DAYS

  • Location: Historical St. Mary’s City
  • Details: Historical St. Mary’s City offers programs specifically tailored for homeschool families, featuring interpretive discussions, demonstrations, and interactive activities. Workshop sessions: 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Age Range: $10/$8 for members. Additional workshops $7/$5 for members.
  • Link

UPWARD THRIVE ACADEMY

  • Location: 1282 Smallwood Dr. #161, Waldorf, MD 20603
  • Details: Upward Thrive Academy, Inc. (UTA) is a 501(c)(3) human services organization, dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to overcome adversities and function at their highest capacity. UTA’s mission is to promote personal, family, and occupational wellness. We execute this mission by providing educational and vocational training, developmental resources, and community engagement events and activities for people of all ages.
  • Link

LEARNING AND SOCIAL PODS

CHARLES COUNTY SECULAR INCLUSIVE

  • Location: Varies
  • Meetings Days: Varies
  • Details: Facebook Group discription: Easy going inclusive/secular group for homeschool families with teens/tweens in Charles County, MD. Folks are welcome to use the group as a sounding board for questions/concerns, to independently setup virtual events and/or in-person events. The group is designed to support LGBTQ+ and marginalized kids/families. Not exclusively, but we want people to know that the “Inclusive” in the title is a very important aspect.
  • Age Range: Tween/Teen 10-17
  • Email: somdsecularhomeschoolers@gmail.com
  • Link

HOMEGROWN POD

  • Locations: Allens Fresh, MD
  • Meeting Days: Wednesdays
  • Details: Homegrown POD begins our POD day with a Christian devotional followed by three classes of hands-on project based academic enrichment. The school year is organized into 6 week sessions that provide three unit studies per POD day for each age grouped class. The classes are themed inside larger academic areas such as history, science, PE, health, life skills, and creative arts. Every member parent teaches classes in this cooperative and assists in classes they do not lead. Everyone’s hands are needed and the member parent attends the entire POD day with their children. This kind of working together and service to one another is the glue of the sociality within our POD.
  • Email: stephanimorgan@gmail.com
  • Link

SOMD SECULAR HOMESCHOOLERS

  • Location: Members Homes
  • Meetings Days: Wednesdays
  • Details: An educational space that celebrates diversity, encourages critical thinking, and fosters a sense of community among its members. We offer a variety of classes including art, history, and science.
  • Email: somdsecularhomeschoolers@gmail.com
  • Link

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

RESOURCES

The following resources are a list of associations, Facebook pages and websites that are useful.

***The Playful Parent is a 501(C)(3) Non-profit created to advocate learning through play and promote family bonding. All content is intellectual property of TPP and information shared is to help provide a non-biased resource to families. If you have questions about home organizations or programs, be sure to contact the business directly. The Playful Parent isn’t affiliated with any of the associations or businesses listed.***

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress.com.

Up ↑

Discover more from The Playful Parent

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading