Starting Your Homeschool Journey with Ivory & Sage

Here at Ivory & Sage, we know that the decision to homeschool can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Maybe you’ve been thinking about it for months, or perhaps you’re making a last-minute switch. Either way, you’re not alone—and we’re here to help you take those first steps with confidence and peace of mind.

Homeschooling isn’t just about lessons and textbooks. It’s about creating a lifestyle of learning that fits your family’s values, rhythms, and dreams. Let’s break down where to start so you can focus on what matters most: watching your kids thrive.

Step 1: Know the Rules Where You Live

Before diving into lesson plans, take a moment to learn your local homeschooling requirements. Every state or region has its own laws—some ask for minimal paperwork, while others require attendance records or yearly assessments. In Florida, you send a short notice of intent to your county school district, keep a portfolio, and file one evaluation of your child’s progress each year. You pick the method: a portfolio review by a Florida-certified teacher, a standardized test, an evaluation by a licensed psychologist, or another option the law allows. Some families instead enroll in a private “umbrella” school that serves homeschoolers; the child is then a private school student and follows that school’s rules. Our guide to Florida homeschool law has the details.

At Ivory & Sage, we always recommend starting here so you can feel confident you’re following the right steps for your family. A great resource for U.S. families is HSLDA, or you can reach out to local homeschooling groups for guidance.

Step 2: Picture the Kind of Education You Want

One of the best parts about homeschooling is the freedom to shape learning around your child’s unique needs and your family’s values.

Ask yourself:

• What does my child love to do when no one is asking them to learn?
• Do we want more time outdoors, more books, or more hands-on projects?
• How much structure helps our family, and how much is too much?
• What values do I want our days to show?
• Where do I want help, so I don’t have to teach everything myself?

At Ivory & Sage, we believe homeschooling should be as unique as your child. Some families love the Charlotte Mason method with its focus on nature and literature, while others prefer eclectic learning—picking and choosing what works best. There’s no wrong answer here.

Step 3: Explore Curriculum and Resources

Once you know your approach, it’s time to gather resources. This doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive. Many families start small and add as they go.

Consider:

• Your public library: books, audiobooks, and often free homeschool programs
• Living books and nature guides for read-alouds and outdoor study
• Free and low-cost printables and online lessons
• Used curriculum from other homeschool families
• Hands-on classes, like ours, for the subjects you’d rather not teach alone

We love encouraging families to start with free or low-cost options while you figure out what fits. Remember, your first year is about discovering what works—not perfection.

Step 4: Create a Space and a Rhythm

You don’t need a fancy homeschool room. A corner of the dining table or a cozy nook with a basket of books works beautifully. What matters most is creating a sense of rhythm for your days—something your kids can rely on, even if it changes with the seasons.

At Ivory & Sage, we like to think of it as “structured freedom”—enough routine to bring peace, enough flexibility to keep learning joyful.

Step 5: Build Your Community

Homeschooling doesn’t mean going it alone. Many families find encouragement and friendship through:

• Enrichment classes, like ours
• Local homeschool support groups
• Park days and field trips with other homeschool families
• Library and community programs for homeschoolers
• Church and faith-based homeschool groups

Connecting with other families can help you find curriculum advice, field trip ideas, and playmates for your kids—all while giving you a support system too.

Step 6: Give Yourself Grace

Here’s what we always tell new homeschooling parents at Ivory & Sage: Your first year is about learning as much as teaching. Step back, take a breath, and don’t overwhelm yourself. 

Some days will be beautiful. Some days will be messy. That’s okay. Homeschooling is a journey of growth for the whole family, and it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

Starting your homeschool journey may feel like stepping into the unknown, but with the right mindset and support, it can become one of the most rewarding choices your family ever makes. At Ivory & Sage, we’re here to cheer you on, offer resources, and remind you that you don’t have to have it all figured out at once. We are still working on figuring it out, even 7 years in. Kids shift and change and so do we. 

Your homeschool adventure starts with just one step—and we can’t wait to see where it leads you.