Kansas Homeschool Planning: Creating Your First Year Timeline

Planning your first homeschool year doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This month-by-month timeline walks you through everything you need to do—from making the decision to finishing your first year strong. Follow this as your roadmap.

Key Takeaways

• 2-3 months pre-start: Plan, register, withdraw
• Months 1-3: Settle in, establish routine, adjust
• Months 4-9: Hit your stride, teach, assess
• Months 10-12: Wrap up, assess, plan year two
• Build flexibility in; don’t expect perfection
• Track progress informally
• Celebrate milestones along the way

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Pre-Launch Phase (2-3 Months Before Start Date)

Month -3 (January if Starting August)

Decision & Research Phase

• [ ] Decide if homeschooling is right for your family
• [ ] Research Kansas homeschool laws and requirements
• [ ] Read
• [ ] Talk to other homeschooling families
• [ ] Join Kansas homeschool Facebook groups or CHECK

Reflection:

• Discuss with spouse/partner if applicable
• Consider child’s learning style
• Identify family values and teaching philosophy
• Address any concerns or hesitations

Action items:

• [ ] Visit local homeschool co-op websites
• [ ] Attend homeschool convention or information session
• [ ] Read reviews/testimonials of curricula you’re considering

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Month -2 (February if Starting August)

Planning & Curriculum Selection

• [ ] Identify your teaching philosophy (classical, Charlotte Mason, eclectic, etc.)
• [ ] Narrow down curriculum choices
• [ ] Create rough budget
• [ ] Identify potential co-ops or support groups

Curriculum Research:

• [ ] Review 3-5 curriculum options per subject
• [ ] Read curriculum reviews
• [ ] Check if samples/trials available
• [ ] Watch curriculum walkthrough videos
• [ ] Calculate costs

Co-Op Exploration:

• [ ] Research CHECK and local homeschool groups
• [ ] Visit co-op websites
• [ ] Attend co-op open house if available
• [ ] Ask about start dates and registration

Action items:

• [ ] Compare curriculum costs (total budget)
• [ ] Make curriculum decisions
• [ ] Order review copies or trials if available

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Month -1 (March if Starting August)

Legal & Administrative Setup

• [ ] Download KSDE Non-Accredited Private School registration form
• [ ] Complete registration form with school name, address, operator name
• [ ] Decide: withdraw from current school mid-year or end of year?
• [ ] If withdrawing, draft withdrawal letter

Withdrawal Preparation:

• [ ] Notify current school of intent to withdraw
• [ ] Request student records (cumulative file, report cards, test scores)
• [ ] Schedule last day of attendance
• [ ] Gather any school-issued materials

Curriculum Ordering:

• [ ] Finalize curriculum purchases
• [ ] Order all materials
• [ ] Arrange delivery timing
• [ ] Set up storage space

Supplies:

• [ ] Order supplies and materials
• [ ] Purchase notebooks, pencils, folders
• [ ] Set up workspace/office area
• [ ] Organize filing system

Action items:

• [ ] Submit KSDE registration form (mail or online)
• [ ] Submit withdrawal letter to school district
• [ ] Begin collecting student records

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Launch Phase (Month 1)

Week 1-2: Final Preparations

What happens:

• KSDE processes registration (2-4 weeks)
• School processes withdrawal

What you do:

• [ ] Receive student records from school
• [ ] Set up home office/workspace
• [ ] Organize curriculum materials
• [ ] Set up record-keeping system
• [ ] Create basic schedule on paper
• [ ] Gather supplies

Child preparation:

• [ ] Discuss homeschool positively
• [ ] Show child new materials
• [ ] Let child help set up workspace
• [ ] Visit co-op if planning to join

Action items:

• [ ] Confirm KSDE received registration
• [ ] Finalize withdrawal from public school
• [ ] Complete all setup

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Week 3: Receive Confirmations

What you’re waiting for:

• [ ] KSDE registration confirmation and building number
• [ ] School withdrawal confirmation

Once received:

• [ ] Save KSDE confirmation letter
• [ ] File all important documents
• [ ] You are now officially legal to homeschool

This week:

• [ ] Start teaching Monday of this week or next week
• [ ] Keep first week light and exploratory
• [ ] Don’t expect perfection

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Week 4: First Full Week of Homeschool

Structure:

• Introduce one subject at a time
• Keep expectations light
• Establish routine
• Take notes on what works/doesn’t

First week subjects to prioritize:

• Monday: Math (start routine)
• Tuesday: Language Arts (add)
• Wednesday: Science or History (add)
• Thursday: Lighter day or fun activity
• Friday: Review week, assess what worked

Parent focus:

• Establish rhythm
• Observe child’s pace and learning style
• Don’t overcomplicate first week
• Enjoy the transition

Child experience:

• Expect some adjustment
• May miss school friends or routine
• May need decompression time
• Celebrate new beginning

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Months 2-3: Settling In

Month 2 (September if Starting August)

Establishing Routine

• [ ] All subjects should be in place by now
• [ ] Daily schedule solidifying
• [ ] Child adjusting to homeschool pace

Teacher adjustments:

• [ ] Track what’s working and not working
• [ ] Adjust pacing if needed
• [ ] Swap curriculum if not fitting
• [ ] Find your rhythm as teacher

Record keeping:

• [ ] Begin informal attendance log
• [ ] Start grades or assessment tracking
• [ ] Organize work samples

Social/Community:

• [ ] Enroll in co-op if planned
• [ ] Attend first co-op classes
• [ ] Join support group meetings
• [ ] Connect with other homeschool families

This month:

• [ ] Review first month; adjust as needed
• [ ] Evaluate child’s progress
• [ ] Confirm co-op enrollment
• [ ] Assess workload (too much? too little?)

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Month 3 (October if Starting August)

Hitting Your Stride

• [ ] Routine should be solid by now
• [ ] Child adjusting well
• [ ] You finding confidence as teacher
• [ ] Co-op fully underway (if doing so)

Milestone:

• [ ] End of first quarter checkpoint
• [ ] Evaluate progress
• [ ] First assessment approaching (if annual standardized test)
• [ ] Adjust plan for next quarter if needed

Action items:

• [ ] Assess progress in each subject
• [ ] Note what’s working well
• [ ] Plan adjustments for next quarter
• [ ] Begin thinking about holiday schedule
• [ ] Check co-op progress and satisfaction

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Months 4-9: Middle of Year

Month 4-6 (November-January)

Full Homeschool Operation

• Your family is running smoothly
• Child is learning and progressing
• You’re comfortable in your role

This period:

• Continue regular instruction
• Plan holiday breaks
• Take holiday break (time off is fine)
• Resume in January

Tracking:

• [ ] Continue record keeping
• [ ] Informal attendance log
• [ ] Work samples collection
• [ ] Grade tracking

Planning:

• [ ] Think ahead to second half of year
• [ ] Plan any curriculum changes
• [ ] Evaluate pace and progress

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Month 7-9 (February-April)

Second Half of Year

• [ ] Instruction continues as normal
• [ ] Plan spring assessment/testing
• [ ] Accumulate work samples for portfolio
• [ ] Track grades and progress

Planning:

• [ ] Finalize assessment method (standardized test, portfolio, grades)
• [ ] Schedule testing if using standardized test (typically April-May)
• [ ] Plan end-of-year review
• [ ] Prepare for year-end documentation

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Months 10-12: Year-End Phase

Month 10 (May)

Assessment & Documentation

If using standardized testing:

• [ ] Administer test this month (spring is typical)
• [ ] Receive results
• [ ] File results with other records

Regardless of testing:

• [ ] Compile grades/assessments
• [ ] Collect and organize work samples
• [ ] Write course descriptions (high school)
• [ ] Assess child’s progress in each subject

Action items:

• [ ] Complete all standardized testing
• [ ] Finalize grades
• [ ] Create work portfolio or samples collection
• [ ] Write narrative assessment if desired

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Month 11 (June)

Wrap-Up & Transition

This month:

• [ ] Finish any remaining curriculum
• [ ] Complete final projects
• [ ] Celebrate year’s accomplishments
• [ ] Assess overall success

Documentation:

• [ ] Create transcripts (especially for high school)
• [ ] File grades and records
• [ ] Create course descriptions (if high school)
• [ ] Begin thinking about year two

Summer transition:

• [ ] Discuss whether to take summer off or continue year-round
• [ ] Plan summer enrichment if desired (optional field trips, reading, etc.)
• [ ] Rest and recharge

Parent reflection:

• [ ] What went well?
• [ ] What would you change?
• [ ] How did child progress?
• [ ] What will year two look like?

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Month 12 (July)

Planning for Year Two

Reflection & Assessment:

• [ ] Evaluate first year (what worked, what didn’t)
• [ ] Assess child’s progress
• [ ] Note which curriculum fit, which didn’t
• [ ] Celebrate accomplishments

Year Two Planning:

• [ ] Decide on curriculum changes (if any)
• [ ] Choose schedule/model for year two
• [ ] Review budget
• [ ] Plan co-op enrollment (if continuing)
• [ ] Order year two curriculum

This summer:

• [ ] Rest from teaching intensity
• [ ] Plan field trips or enrichment
• [ ] Read for pleasure
• [ ] Recharge for year two

Getting ready for Year Two:

• [ ] Finalize curriculum orders
• [ ] Plan schedule for year two
• [ ] Know what’s working; keep it
• [ ] Change what didn’t work
• [ ] Look forward to year two with confidence

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Timeline Overview (At a Glance)

| Timeline | Phase | Key Activities | |———-|——-|—————–| | Month -3 to -1 | Pre-Launch | Decide, research, plan, register | | Month 1 | Launch | Setup, first week, adjust | | Month 2-3 | Settling In | Establish routine, hit stride | | Month 4-9 | Full Operation | Teach, track, enjoy | | Month 10 | Assessment | Test, grade, document | | Month 11 | Wrap-Up | Finalize, celebrate, reflect | | Month 12 | Planning | Rest, reflect, plan year two |

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Monthly Checklist for First Year

Month -3:

• [ ] Research homeschooling
• [ ] Discuss with family

Month -2:

• [ ] Choose curriculum
• [ ] Identify co-ops/support groups

Month -1:

• [ ] Complete KSDE registration
• [ ] Notify school of withdrawal
• [ ] Order materials

Month 1:

• [ ] Receive KSDE confirmation
• [ ] Finalize withdrawal
• [ ] Begin homeschool (week 1-2)
• [ ] Establish routine

Month 2:

• [ ] Full schedule in place
• [ ] Adjusting as needed
• [ ] Join co-op if planned

Month 3:

• [ ] Hit stride
• [ ] First quarter checkpoint
• [ ] Plan Q2 adjustments

Month 4-6:

• [ ] Continue instruction
• [ ] Take holiday break
• [ ] Resume in January
• [ ] Track progress

Month 7-9:

• [ ] Continue instruction
• [ ] Plan assessment method
• [ ] Prepare for testing

Month 10:

• [ ] Administer assessment
• [ ] Finalize grades
• [ ] Organize records

Month 11:

• [ ] Wrap up year
• [ ] Create transcripts
• [ ] Celebrate accomplishments

Month 12:

• [ ] Rest and reflect
• [ ] Plan year two
• [ ] Order year two materials

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Managing Expectations

First Month

• Expect adjustment period
• Keep things light
• Don’t expect perfection
• Focus on routine-building

Months 2-3

• You’ll find your stride
• Schedule will solidify
• Child will adjust
• This is normal homeschooling

Months 4-12

• Things run more smoothly
• You’re confident in your role
• Child is learning and progressing
• Adjustments happen as needed

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Resources for Each Phase

Pre-Launch:

• Kansas/08 how to start homeschooling in kansas step by step beginner guide

Curriculum Selection:

Registration & Withdrawal:

Getting Started:

• Kansas/11 how to create a homeschool schedule in kansas

Record Keeping:

Assessment:

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Bottom Line

Your first year of Kansas homeschooling will follow this arc:

1. Pre-launch: Plan and organize (months -3 to -1)
2. Launch: Adjust and settle in (month 1-3)
3. Operation: Teach and track (months 4-9)
4. Assessment: Document and reflect (months 10-12)

Follow this month-by-month timeline, adjust as you go, and remember that perfection isn’t the goal—progress and learning are.

By month three, you’ll feel much more confident. By month six, it will feel normal. And by year-end, you’ll be proud of what you’ve accomplished and ready to do it all again in year two.

Start here. Take it one month at a time. You’ve got this.