Welcome to Forsyth Home Educators (FHE)

Welcome Home!

To the new homeschooler it all may seem quite overwhelming at first. There are so many questions going through your head:

"Where do I get curriculum?"
What curriculum should I use?
Can I really do this?"
And of course, "What about socialization?

Let's put your mind at ease. It's not as difficult as it looks. Relax and have fun! You are doing this to enjoy your children and learn with them!

Think about this: in a classroom school, one teacher spends six or seven hours with 20-30 children. Can you offer a more intimate learning environment than this in your homeschool?

Your children will learn a lot better in a relaxed atmosphere.

Some Basic Advice:

Home education is more than just teaching from books at home. It is a lifestyle. It is important to take time to prepare for the changes your family will experience.

It is a good idea to have a clear idea why you want to homeschool. It is also a good idea to write down what you hope to accomplish and your philosophy about learning.

In the beginning, it is not necessary to know exactly what each school day will contain, but you should have some good general ideas formulated. Once you have some clear ideas about what you are going to do, then you should contact the appropriate groups.

Network with others involved on a local level.

One of the first things you should do is talk to people you know who already homeschool. They can give you a world of advice. If you don't know any homeschoolers, contact your local homeschool support group in your area.

FHE - Forsyth Home Educators is a Christian support group of home educators in Forsyth County. The annual membership entitles you to 10 monthly issues of the newsletter, a membership directory and the calendar of group events, as well as support from other families involved in the same endeavor. Go to the subscription form or contact us for more information.

Network with others involved on a state level.

In North Carolina, that organization is North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE). NCHE is the state group organized by fellow home educators. It is not affiliated with the state government.

For an annual membership fee, you receive a quarterly newsletter called "The Greenhouse Report" and information on the annual NCHE Homeschool Conference (separate fee), held in Winston-Salem in May each year. They also keep you informed on legislation affecting education.

Establish your home as a school.

Next you should find out about the homeschooling laws in your state. Different states have different requirements.

In North Carolina, it is fairly easy to comply with the requirements. Primarily, you must do these things:

One instructor in your homeschool must have a high school education or equivalent.
Register with the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) (or DNPE.)
Keep your students records of yearly attendance, testing and immunizations.*

*PLEASE NOTE: There are other recommendations. This is only a basic guideline. Visit NCHE's guide on Complying with the North Carolina State Home School Law for specific instructions.

At this point, it may be worthwhile to note that many people confuse FHE, NCHE and DNPE. Read the responsibilities and location of each when you are considering contacting them. Contact FHE at any time with questions regarding any of these groups.

Now what about curriculum?