Wyoming Homeschool Planning: Creating Your First Year Timeline

Starting homeschool is exciting but overwhelming. A clear planning timeline removes the guesswork and ensures you launch confidently. This month-by-month guide helps you plan from initial decision through your first school year.

Key Takeaways

• 12-month planning cycle: Start planning 4-6 months before launch
• June-July best for launch: Natural transition from public school
• August start is typical: Aligns with public school calendar
• Monthly checklists: Keep you on track
• Flexibility is built in: Adjust timeline to your situation

Timeline By Launch Date

Option 1: Launching in August (Most Common)

Start planning: March-April

Option 2: Launching in June (End-of-Year)

Start planning: January-February

Option 3: Launching Mid-Year (Emergency/Sudden)

Start planning: Immediate; launch within 2-4 weeks

Option 4: Spring Launch (After Trying Fall)

Start planning: December-January; launch after winter break

This guide assumes August launch (most families), but adjust timing as needed.

March (Planning Month 1: 5 Months Before Launch)

Decisions to Make

• [ ] Final decision: Will we homeschool? (Is this for certain or still exploring?)
• [ ] Which child/children: All kids or just one? Varying grade levels?
• [ ] Your schedule: Do you have time to homeschool? (Work, commitments, etc.)
• [ ] Budget: Can you afford curriculum and supplies?
• [ ] Support system: Do you have family/partner support?

Research

• [ ] Read Wyoming’s homeschool laws ()
• [ ] Join Wyoming homeschool groups (Homeschoolers of Wyoming, regional groups)
• [ ] Visit your public school (if child is enrolled) to understand records request
• [ ] Research 2-3 curriculum approaches (traditional, classical, unschooling, etc.)

No Action Needed Yet

• Don’t buy curriculum yet
• Don’t notify school
• Just research and decide

April (Planning Month 2: 4 Months Before Launch)

Major Actions

• [ ] Join a homeschool group: Sign up for Homeschoolers of Wyoming or local co-op
• [ ] Meet other homeschoolers: Attend group meetup or co-op info session
• [ ] Explore curriculum options: Look at 5-10 curriculum options in your chosen subjects
• [ ] Create wish list: Bookmark or list curricula you’re considering

Research Specific Needs

• [ ] If considering co-op: Visit co-ops, ask about 2025-26 schedule and costs
• [ ] If child will do sports: Understand WHSAA requirements and timing
• [ ] If child has special needs: Research district services vs. private options

Financial Planning

• [ ] Estimate curriculum costs ($400-2000/year depending on approach)
• [ ] Budget for supplies, technology, memberships
• [ ] Research used curriculum sources (Facebook groups, Curriculum Mall)

Planning

• [ ] Create basic school calendar (decide start date, end date, vacation plan)
• [ ] Sketch your ideal daily schedule (not final; just exploration)

May (Planning Month 3: 3 Months Before Launch)

If Withdrawing From Public School

• [ ] Request records: Call school registrar; request transcript, immunization records, test scores, IEP docs (if applicable)
• [ ] Prepare withdrawal letter: Draft (don’t send yet)
• [ ] Plan withdrawal timing: End of May? Early June? (Better to do mid-late May)

Curriculum Decisions

• [ ] Make final curriculum choices for core subjects (math, language arts)
• [ ] Start buying curriculum:
• New curriculum (from publisher or Amazon)
• Used curriculum (Facebook groups, eBay, local co-ops)
• Free resources (check out library, download free trials)
• [ ] Plan your subjects: Finalize which curriculum for each of the 7 required subjects

Planning

• [ ] Create your school year calendar: Finalize dates (Aug 18 – May 30, for example)
• [ ] Sketch your daily schedule: What time, how long, how many days per week?
• [ ] Calculate your 175-day requirement: If 5 days/week, you need 35 weeks; plan accordingly

Logistics

• [ ] Choose your learning space: Where will school happen? (bedroom, dining room, home office?)
• [ ] Plan your furniture/supplies: Do you need a new desk, shelf, files?
• [ ] Set up record-keeping: Choose system (spreadsheet, software, notebook)

June (Planning Month 4: 2 Months Before Launch)

Withdrawal (If Needed)

• [ ] Submit withdrawal letter to school (now that you have records)
• [ ] Confirm withdrawal: Follow up with school to ensure it’s processed
• [ ] Get final records: Transcript, immunizations, any other documents

Curriculum Arrives & Setup

• [ ] Receive all curriculum materials (order what’s still needed)
• [ ] Organize curriculum: Create a system to find what you need
• [ ] Review curriculum: Skim teacher guides; understand structure
• [ ] Familiarize yourself: Know where to start with each subject

Space Preparation

• [ ] Set up learning space: Desk, chair, shelf, organization
• [ ] Organize supplies: Pencils, paper, notebooks, files in accessible spots
• [ ] Create visual schedule: Post your daily/weekly schedule where kids can see it

Record-Keeping Setup

• [ ] Create attendance template: Spreadsheet or planner (ready for August 1)
• [ ] Make grade recording system: Decide how you’ll track progress
• [ ] Design transcript template: For future use (not urgent yet)

Child Preparation

• [ ] Tell your child: Explain the plan, answer questions, ease transitions
• [ ] Visit your learning space together: Let them see where they’ll learn
• [ ] Manage expectations: What will be the same? What will be different?
• [ ] Build excitement: Discuss positive aspects (flexibility, interests, etc.)

July (Planning Month 5: 1 Month Before Launch)

Final Preparations

• [ ] Order any last-minute supplies: Workbooks, manipulatives, special items
• [ ] Finalize your schedule: Lock in your start date and daily schedule
• [ ] Print and post schedule: Put daily/weekly schedule where family sees it
• [ ] Prepare first week lighter: Plan a gentler first week (not full schedule)

Co-op/Group Enrollment

• [ ] Register for co-op (if participating): Enroll in classes, pay fees
• [ ] Get co-op schedule: Know which days/times classes are
• [ ] Join online communities: Facebook groups, email lists for support and resources

Mental Preparation

• [ ] Review your philosophy: Why are you homeschooling? (clarity helps when hard)
• [ ] Troubleshoot concerns: Address specific worries (academics, social, etc.)
• [ ] Build your toolkit: Favorite books, websites, support numbers

First Week Preview

• [ ] Create light first week schedule (30 min shorter than regular)
• [ ] Prepare 2-3 read-alouds (fun books to start together)
• [ ] Pick 1-2 icebreaker activities (informal, engaging, no pressure)

August (Month 1: Launch Month)

Week 1 (Adjustment Week)

• Start: August 15 (or your chosen date)
• [ ] Begin with light schedule: Don’t go full hours yet
• [ ] Introduce curriculum gradually: Start math + reading; add others later
• [ ] Establish routines: Morning meeting, subjects, lunch, free time
• [ ] Take it easy: Expect first week to be settling-in week, not full-speed week

Focus: Getting to know your rhythm, not perfection

Week 2-3

• [ ] Add remaining subjects: Introduce science, history, writing, civics
• [ ] Find your pace: Discover what time/length works for your family
• [ ] Start attendance records: Begin documenting days of instruction
• [ ] Assess what’s working: What’s easy? What’s hard? What might need adjustment?

Week 4

• [ ] Establish full schedule: You’re now at your typical daily rhythm
• [ ] Review and adjust: Make small changes based on first month
• [ ] Celebrate first month: You did it! You’re officially homeschooling

September-May (School Year: Months 2-11)

Ongoing Monthly Tasks

• [ ] Update attendance records (weekly, not just monthly)
• [ ] Monitor curriculum pacing: Are you on track with materials?
• [ ] Assess student progress: Formal or informal check-in
• [ ] Make small adjustments: Curriculum, schedule, pace as needed

Checkpoint Months

October:
– [ ] Check attendance (should be ~30 days in)
– [ ] Assess first month adjustment
– [ ] Fine-tune curriculum if needed

December:
– [ ] Mid-year reflection
– [ ] Plan winter break
– [ ] Evaluate first semester

March:
– [ ] Second-semester review
– [ ] Assess progress toward 175 days
– [ ] Plan spring activities/field trips

May:
– [ ] Final stretch to 175 days
– [ ] Year-end assessment
– [ ] Plan summer/next year

June (Year-End Month)

End-of-Year Tasks

• [ ] Hit 175 days: Ensure you’ve completed requirement
• [ ] Compile attendance records: Create summary
• [ ] Collect work samples: Final pieces for portfolio
• [ ] Grade final assignments: Close out subjects
• [ ] Write year summary: Brief overview of year (optional but useful)

Planning for Year 2

• [ ] Reflect on year 1: What worked? What didn’t?
• [ ] Make curriculum notes: Keep-as-is vs. change next year
• [ ] Document student progress: How much growth did you see?
• [ ] Start planning year 2: Apply lessons learned

Planning Checklist: Print & Use

March: ☐ Decision ☐ Research ☐ Read laws
April: ☐ Join group ☐ Explore curriculum ☐ Co-op research
May: ☐ Withdraw from school ☐ Buy curriculum ☐ Calendar finalized
June: ☐ Space setup ☐ Records system ready ☐ Child prepared
July: ☐ Final supplies ☐ Co-op enrolled ☐ First week prepped
August: ☐ Launch! ☐ Light week 1 ☐ Full schedule by week 4
September-May: ☐ Monthly updates ☐ Quarterly reviews ☐ Ongoing adjustment
June: ☐ Year complete ☐ 175 days verified ☐ Plan year 2

Success Metrics for Year 1

By end of year, you should have:

✓ 175 days of documented instruction
✓ Attendance records tracking dates and subjects
✓ Student work samples showing progress
✓ A daily/weekly routine that’s working
✓ Connection with Wyoming homeschool community
✓ Confidence that homeschooling is right for your family (or clarity that it’s not)

Perfect grades aren’t the goal. Establishing sustainable rhythm and meeting legal requirements are.

Remember

• This is flexible: Adjust timeline to your needs
• Your first year is learning year for you too
• It’s okay if it’s messy or imperfect
• Community support matters: join a group
• You’ve got this: thousands of Wyoming families homeschool successfully

Start early, plan monthly, adjust as needed, and celebrate your progress.

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