information on homeschooling

Our choice to Homeschool

Why We Chose to Homeschool: A Personal Choice

Deciding to homeschool our children wasn't a decision we made lightly. Like many parents, we started by following the traditional route, believing that the school system would provide our children with the support they needed. However, as our experience unfolded—marked by challenges with support services, bullying, and a system that seemed ill-equipped to handle our son's needs—we realized that homeschooling was the best path for our family, especially for our neurodivergent children.

Early Challenges and Financial Sacrifices

Our journey began when my oldest son was diagnosed with autism. At the time, he was in grade 2, and we were already juggling therapy sessions that we had to pay for out of pocket. Autism services in Ontario come with long waiting lists, and we didn’t want to delay our son’s progress. So, we used the savings we had set aside for a home to cover therapy costs, which exceeded $3,000 a month.

Alongside the therapies, I underwent training in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) and IBI (Intensive Behavioral Intervention) to better support my son. While I wasn’t licensed to practice these therapies with others, the training allowed me to understand how to generalize his therapy in our everyday routines and support his learning at home. One of the unfortunate realities of the therapy world is that parents often aren’t taught how to bring these practices home. I felt it was my responsibility to be proactive.

Public School Integration and Bullying

Once my son reached school age, we tried various educational settings. He attended a private school while continuing part-time therapy, but the financial burden was too much to sustain. When we transitioned him to the public school system, hoping for more accessible support, our optimism quickly faded.

Though the school system provided some support, the individuals assigned to assist my son lacked the specialized training required to help him thrive. Worse, he became the target of bullying almost immediately. Rather than protect my son, the teachers seemed more focused on avoiding conflict and potential lawsuits. In several instances, the school blamed his stimming behaviors—an essential part of his sensory regulation—as the cause of the conflict, instead of holding the bullies accountable. It was a devastating realization that the system was not equipped to truly protect or support him.

The Decision to Homeschool

Faced with these challenges, we knew we needed to make a drastic change. The public school system, despite its intentions, wasn’t providing the environment my son needed. As a result, we chose to homeschool.

Homeschooling offered us several advantages:

Tailored Education: We could adapt our curriculum to meet our children’s specific learning needs and interests. Homeschooling also allowed us to incorporate therapeutic strategies seamlessly into the school day.
Safe and Supportive Environment: Homeschooling removed the constant worry about bullying. My son could learn in an environment where he felt safe, accepted, and free to be himself.
Involvement in Learning: With homeschooling, I could fully immerse myself in my children’s education. Having trained in ABA and IBI, I knew how to integrate these methods into our daily learning without being confined to the structure of traditional therapy.

Legal Considerations in Ontario

One of the benefits of homeschooling in Ontario is the flexibility it provides. The Ontario Education Act allows parents to homeschool their children, provided they are giving "satisfactory instruction" at home. We submitted a simple Notice of Intent to Homeschool to the local school board, which was all that was legally required.

What drew us to homeschooling, beyond our personal reasons, was also the community and resources available to support families like ours. We connected with homeschooling groups like the Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents and explored curricula such as the Oak Meadow curriculum, discovering a wealth of resources tailored to different learning styles and needs.

Homeschooling: A Growing Movement

Homeschooling in Ontario and across Canada is on the rise, with families recognizing that the traditional school system isn’t always the best fit for every child. Studies have shown that homeschooled children often outperform their public school peers on standardized tests, with scores 15 to 30 percentile points higher. Additionally, homeschoolers tend to excel in social and emotional development, frequently demonstrating better socialization outcomes and lower levels of anxiety compared to children in traditional schools.

Conclusion

Our decision to homeschool came from a place of necessity, but it has become one of the best choices we’ve made as a family. While the financial and emotional burdens were significant in the beginning, homeschooling has allowed us to create a customized learning environment that caters to our children's unique needs. We’ve been able to give them a well-rounded education while also ensuring their emotional well-being.

Some might worry about the social isolation of homeschooling. However, we found that joining homeschooling co-ops, participating in community activities, and engaging in online learning communities provided ample opportunities for socialization.

Homeschooling has empowered us to take control of our children's education and their future. If you're seeking a personalized and supportive learning environment for your children, we encourage you to explore the possibilities of homeschooling in Ontario.