How to Start Homeschooling in Baltimore

How to Homeschool in Baltimore

When you first start to research what it takes to homeschool in the city of Baltimore, you discover that Maryland homeschool laws offer families three options:

• A portfolio option
• A church umbrella school option
• A state-approved umbrella school option

Regardless of the option chosen, all new homeschool families in Maryland must file a Notice of Consent form with their local school superintendent and teach the required subjects of math, English, social studies, science, art, music, health, and physical education. Baltimore County homeschool regulations allow families to register their student for homeschooling either by printing out the form and mailing it in or by electronic submission.

Time4Learning Curriculum for Homeschooling in Baltimore

When it comes to homeschool curriculum, families in Baltimore are free to choose the program(s) that they deem best for their child(ren). One of the reasons that Time4Learning is such a popular option for homeschoolers in Baltimore is that it helps with compliance with Maryland homeschool laws.

If you choose the portfolio option to homeschool, Time4Learning’s automated grading and recordkeeping can help you stay organized and ready when it comes time to create a homeschool portfolio.

Of course, there are a myriad of other reasons why Baltimore homeschoolers choose Time4Learning. They appreciate:

• A comprehensive curriculum for PreK-12 that includes math and language arts that correlates to all state standards, as well as science, social studies, and more.
• Student-paced multimedia learning that combines education with interactive fun.
• Individual learning paths that meet each child’s specific needs, whether they are gifted, have learning differences, or just need instruction that fits their unique learning style.
• Built-in lesson plans for easy set up and organization of each homeschool year.
• The ability to set grade levels independently for each subject so students learn at their own speed.
• Virtual labs, interactive projects, guided notes, and much more to help enhance material, bring concepts to life, and allow students to apply what they’ve learned.
• A low monthly subscription price that keeps homeschooling costs for Baltimore manageable.

Field Trips in Baltimore and Beyond

The urban village of Baltimore, MD is an ideal place to homeschool for many reasons. Not only is history evident along every cobblestone street, but cultural opportunities, active harbors, numerous parks, and the fact that Washington D.C. is just a hop-skip-and-jump away mean that your home education can expand into a hands-on learning opportunity at any time.

Homeschooling in Baltimore offers you the flexibility to be studying about the War of 1812 in the morning and visiting the Fort McHenry National Monument in the afternoon! Here are several other top homeschool field trip destinations you may want to explore in the coming weeks and months.

B&O Railroad Museum – Do you have a train aficionado in your family? Then don’t miss an opportunity to let them see, touch, hear and explore the most important railroad collection in America.  The museum is located in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad’s old Mount Clare Station, considered to be the birthplace of American railroads. Students can experience two centuries of American railroading history throughout the campus of historic buildings, exhibitions, interactive displays, and even take an actual train ride.

Patapsco Valley State Park – This public recreation area that extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River south and west of Baltimore includes opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and picnicking. When you are ready to take a break from your curriculum and incorporate some physical activity into your homeschool, then head to this state park where you can walk across swinging bridges, view waterfalls, and visit a nature center. You may also want to take part in the park’s Junior Ranger Program, which teaches children aged 7-14 the fundamentals of environmental education and stewardship.

The Walters Art Museum – Are you homeschooling on a tight budget? Then you’ll be pleased to learn that admission to Walters Art Museum is completely free for everyone. It includes one of the largest varieties of art in the U.S., with exhibits encompassing ancient Egypt sarcophagi, Greek sculpture, medieval icons, Renaissance bronzes, Old Master European and 19th-century paintings, Chinese ceramics, and ancient Islamic art. The Walters offers workshops designed exclusively for homeschoolers, too. An extensive collection of art lesson plans related to the museum’s offerings are available on the website, as well.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture – Will you be doing a Maryland state unit study as part of your homeschool education? Then don’t miss a chance to learn more about Maryland’s African American history by visiting the Lewis Museum’s 13,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition space and two-story theater. Take part in one of the interactive theme tours or living history performances to help your students better understand African American history and culture in Maryland. The museum offers a large variety of educational programs as well as multiple online lesson plans for educators.

National Electronics Museum – Just eight miles outside of Baltimore you’ll find a truly unique homeschool field trip destination. From telegraph and radio to radar and satellites, the National Electronics Museum offers visitors access to the electronic marvels that have helped to shape our country and our world. Choose between guided or self-guided tours to explore the exhibits and inspire the next generation of electrical engineers. Their website offers many remote learning resources, as well.

Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling in Maryland

• Homeschooling in Maryland
• Maryland Homeschooling Laws
• Maryland Homeschool Associations
• Maryland Homeschool Groups and Co-ops
• Homeschool Field Trips in Maryland
• Maryland Unit Study for Homeschoolers