The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling in Fort Lauderdale
Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular choice for families in Fort Lauderdale, offering flexibility and a customized educational experience. Whether you're new to homeschooling or looking to enhance your child's education, this guide covers everything from the best homeschool programs to specialized classes in dance, cooking, and STEM.
Fort Lauderdale offers a vibrant and supportive environment for homeschooling families. With its rich cultural, historic, and natural venues, this city provides endless opportunities for educational experiences beyond the traditional classroom. Whether you're a veteran homeschooler or just getting started, Fort Lauderdale has something for everyone.
Pros of Homeschooling in Fort Lauderdale
Homeschooling in Fort Lauderdale comes with several unique benefits:
Flexibility: Customize your child's education to fit their needs and interests.
Rich Educational Resources: Access to numerous museums, nature centers, and cultural sites for field trips.
Community Support: A strong network of homeschool families and groups providing support and shared resources.
Extracurricular Activities: Many opportunities for extracurricular activities, including sports, music, art, and more.
Getting Started: Laws and Regulations
Before embarking on your homeschooling journey in Fort Lauderdale, it's essential to understand Florida's homeschooling laws. Here's a quick guide to help you get started:
File a Notice of Intent: Notify the local superintendent's office of your intent to homeschool.
Choose a Curriculum: Select educational materials that best suit your child's needs. This can include books, online courses, and other resources.
Maintain a Portfolio: Keep a portfolio of your child's work for at least two years. This should include samples of their work, a log of educational activities, and any other relevant materials.
Annual Evaluation: Submit an annual evaluation of your child's progress to the superintendent. This can be done through standardized tests, a teacher's evaluation, or other approved methods.
Termination: If you decide to stop homeschooling, file a termination notice and the final annual evaluation with the superintendent.
For detailed information, you can contact the Home School Education office at 610 NE 13th Ave, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060, or call 754-321-3860.
Finding High-Quality Curriculum
Choosing the right curriculum is crucial for a successful homeschooling experience. There are many options available, each catering to different educational philosophies and learning styles. To help you find the best curriculum for your child, Modulo offers a free curriculum planner. This tool can guide you in selecting high-quality educational materials that align with your child's needs and your homeschooling goals.
Finding Community
One of the biggest advantages of homeschooling in Fort Lauderdale is the vibrant community. Joining local homeschool groups and co-ops can provide socialization opportunities, support, and shared resources. Here are some notable groups in the area:
Ft. Lauderdale Area Homeschooling Meet-Ups: This group is for families with school-age children, ages 5-18, in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas to participate in homeschool park days, classes, meet-ups, and field trips. Facebook Group
South Florida Homeschool Resource Center Group: A group dedicated to providing resources, support, and networking opportunities for homeschooling families in South Florida. Facebook Group
Eclectic Homeschoolers of Broward County: An inclusive group for homeschooling families in Broward County that welcomes diverse homeschooling methods and philosophies. Facebook Group
Broward Homeschool Parent Support Group: Serving families for over 35 years, this group offers a wide variety of family activities and support. Website
Local Homeschool Programs and Classes
Fort Lauderdale is a vibrant hub for homeschooling families, offering a plethora of resources and activities to enhance the educational experience. From specialized classes in dance, cooking, and chess, to language immersion in French and Spanish, the city has something for everyone. Music enthusiasts can take lessons from skilled piano teachers or join group sessions in various instruments. Ballet, gymnastics, and swimming classes ensure that physical education (PE) is not neglected, while makerspaces provide hands-on learning opportunities in science and STEM classes, including coding and robotics. Art classes and homeschool co-ops offer creative and collaborative environments, and homeschool groups provide support and community.
Fort Lauderdale offers a variety of programs and classes to supplement your homeschooling curriculum across various subject areas:
Coding and STEM
Code Ninjas Fort Lauderdale: Offers coding classes where kids learn to build their own video games.
TechKnowledgy Academy: Provides STEM education, including coding, robotics, and game design.
The Coder School Fort Lauderdale: Focuses on personalized coding education for kids.
Engineering for Kids Broward County: Offers hands-on STEM education, including classes in engineering, coding, and robotics.
Bricks 4 Kidz Fort Lauderdale: Focuses on STEM education using LEGO bricks, including robotics and engineering.
Arts and Crafts
Joann Fabrics & Crafts: Offers beginner sewing classes that include basic sewing skills and projects.
Sewing Studio: Provides a range of sewing classes, including those tailored for children.
Young At Art Museum: Offers a variety of art classes and workshops for children, focusing on creativity and skill-building.
ArtServe: Provides art classes in various mediums including painting, drawing, and mixed media.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: Offers art classes and workshops in a beautiful historic setting, focusing on nature and creativity.
Music and Performing Arts
School of Rock Fort Lauderdale: Offers performance-based music education with classes in guitar, drums, piano, and vocals.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts: Provides a variety of music classes including piano, violin, guitar, and voice.
Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre (FLCT): Offers acting, musical theater, and technical theater classes.
Performance Edge 2: Provides comprehensive dance training in various styles such as ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics.
Physical Education
My Gym Fort Lauderdale: Offers fitness and gymnastics classes designed to develop strength, balance, and coordination.
Lil' Gym of Fort Lauderdale: Provides a variety of physical activities including gymnastics, dance, and sports skills.
Soccer Shots Broward County: Offers soccer classes that focus on skill development, teamwork, and fitness.
Swim Fort Lauderdale: Provides swim lessons and competitive swim team training to promote physical fitness and water safety.
Academic Tutoring and Support
Mathnasium of Fort Lauderdale: Specializes in math-only tutoring, providing personalized instruction.
Sylvan Learning of Fort Lauderdale: Offers personalized tutoring in math, including foundational skills and advanced topics.
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Fort Lauderdale: Provides self-paced math tutoring to help children improve their skills.
Broward County Library: Offers various educational programs including writing workshops and financial literacy classes.
Nature-Based Learning
Anne Kolb Nature Center: Offers science and biology educational programs in a coastal mangrove wetland setting, including environmental boat tours and hands-on EcoRoom activities.
Flamingo Gardens: A 60-acre sanctuary offering homeschool field trips that meet Florida educational standards, with programs on native wildlife and tropical plants.
Secret Woods Nature Center: Provides environmental education programs, nature walks, and interactive exhibits focused on local ecology and conservation.
Homeschool Co-Ops
A homeschool co-op is typically a full-day or part-day program structured for homeschoolers. It is longer than a typical 1-2 hour class but doesn’t meet five days a week like a traditional school. Homeschool co-ops can be organized by a teacher or operate as a skill share for parents. For families seeking homeschool co-ops in Fort Lauderdale, there are several options that provide supportive and inclusive communities for child-led and cooperative learning one day - or a few days a week. Here are some of the top homeschool co-ops in the area. In addition to these programs, parents often organize co-ops informally. It’s possible to find these programs in local Facebook groups or by contacting Modulo.
Discovery Junction Homeschool Co-Op
Description: Discovery Junction Homeschool Co-Op offers a flexible, child-led approach to learning. This co-op emphasizes a hands-on, thematic style of education that caters to the interests and developmental stages of each child. The goal is to create a supportive and engaging learning environment where children can explore their interests deeply.
Programs:
Weekly Classes: Structured around various themes and subjects, allowing children to dive into topics that interest them.
Field Trips: Regular educational outings are organized to complement the thematic learning and provide real-world experiences.
Social Gatherings: The co-op hosts events and gatherings to foster community among homeschooling families, providing social interaction and support.
Website: Discovery Junction Homeschool Co-Op
Playschool Academy
Description: Playschool Academy provides a blend of academic support, tutoring, and enrichment activities designed to support homeschooling families. They aim to offer comprehensive educational resources that cater to a wide range of learning styles and needs.
Programs:
K-12 Programs: Academic classes and support across all grade levels, ensuring that children receive a well-rounded education.
Family Wellness Workshops: Workshops focus on holistic family wellness, including mental health, physical health, and educational strategies.
Tutoring Services: Personalized tutoring is available to help children with specific subjects or areas where they need extra assistance.
Website: Playschool Academy
Surf Skate Science Homeschool Co-Op
Description: Surf Skate Science Homeschool Co-Op offers a unique blend of physical activity and science education through surfing and skateboarding. This co-op provides a hands-on, engaging approach to learning about marine biology, environmental science, physics, and more.
Programs:
Weekly Classes: Students participate in surf and skate lessons while learning the science behind these activities.
Field Trips: Visits to local surfboard shapers and skate parks.
Workshops: Create-A-Skate workshops where students design and build their own skateboards.
Website: Surf Skate Science Homeschool Co-Op
These co-ops provide unique and valuable resources for homeschooling families in Fort Lauderdale, focusing on child-led learning and comprehensive educational support.
FAQ about Homeschooling
What’s Homeschool Education Anyway?
Think of it as your DIY project, but instead of building a bookshelf, you're building your child's education! Homeschool education means you, the parent or guardian, are the boss, teacher, principal, and lunch lady all rolled into one. According to F.S. 1002.41, you provide a step-by-step learning experience to meet the school attendance requirements. So, grab your chalkboard and let's get started!
How Do Homeschool Education Students Learn?
Here's the scoop: Homeschool education students aren't public school students, which means no teachers are coming to your house, and there’s no virtual instruction from the district. You’ve got this covered! You’ll need to figure out your educational game plan before diving in. No teaching certificate required—just a passion for your child's learning.
How Do I Enroll My Child in Homeschool Education in Broward County?
First, say goodbye to your current school with a proper withdrawal. Then, send a digital high-five (a Notice of Intent) to the Broward Homeschool Education Office at home.education@browardschools.com. You can find the form here. Welcome to the club!
Basic Requirements
Notify: Send your Notice of Intent within 30 days of starting your homeschool journey.
Keep a Portfolio: Document your child's work, reading lists, and educational activities. Keep this treasure chest safe for two years.
Annual Evaluation: Send this to the Homeschool Education Office by your program’s anniversary date every year.
Say Goodbye Properly: When you’re done, submit a Notice of Termination and a final evaluation. Easy peasy!
Can Homeschool Education Students Take Virtual Classes?
Absolutely! Broward Virtual School (BVS) can be your go-to for online classes. Check them out at www.bved.net.
Activities at Local Public Schools
Homeschoolers can join in on sports, clubs, and other district services, but don’t just show up! You need prior approval from the Homeschool Education Office.
Online Homeschool Programs
Fort Lauderdale is home to several exceptional homeschool programs that cater to a diverse range of educational needs. Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is a standout option, offering a comprehensive array of online courses for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This program provides flexibility and a wide range of subjects, allowing students to learn at their own pace.
Standardized Tests and EOCs
Nope, homeschoolers aren’t required to take these tests to finish their courses. But if they ever return to public school, they’ll need to catch up on those assessments. Standardized assessments and EOCs can also be used for the annual evaluation if you prefer.
Scholarships and Diplomas
Bright Futures Scholarships? You bet! Just make sure you’re registered and compliant for the last two years of high school. As for diplomas, you won’t get a standard one from the district, but you can create an Affidavit of Completion. If you prefer, there’s always the GED route for an official Florida GED Diploma.
Homeschooling in Fort Lauderdale provides a unique and enriching educational experience for your child. With the right resources and community support, you can create a personalized and effective homeschooling journey. Whether you're just starting or looking to enhance your current homeschooling program, Fort Lauderdale has everything you need to succeed.
