What No One Tells You About Starting Homeschool in Florida

When I first started thinking about homeschooling in Florida, everyone kept asking me what curriculum I was going to use.

Math. Reading. Science. Schedules.

No one asked me if I was ready for the emotional shift.

No one explained how simple the law actually is but how overwhelming it feels at first.

And definitely no one explained the scholarship options in a way that made sense.

So if you’re thinking about homeschooling in Florida, here’s what I wish someone would have told me.

The Law Sounds Scary Until You Actually Read It

Before you even open a workbook, you start hearing things like portfolio, annual evaluation, notice of intent.

It sounds official. Heavy. Intimidating.

But when you actually look at the requirements from the Florida Department of Education, it is not complicated.

Here’s what traditional home education requires in Florida:

You submit a Notice of Intent to your countyYou keep a simple portfolio of your child’s workYou complete an annual evaluationYou keep basic records

That’s it.

You do not have to follow public school hours.You do not have to sit at a desk for six hours.You do not have to buy a state approved curriculum.

It feels bigger in your head than it actually is.

The Step Up Scholarship Is a Game Changer for Some Families

Now this is the part many moms don’t fully understand at first.

Florida offers scholarships that homeschooling families can qualify for through Step Up For Students.

And yes, this includes families who want more flexibility.

There are options like the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options and the Personalized Education Program.

What this can help cover:

• Curriculum

• Educational Materials

• Tutoring

• Certain Extracurricular Programs

• Therapies

• Approved Vendors

For some families, this makes homeschooling financially possible.

But here is what no one tells you clearly.

When you accept certain scholarship options, you may not be operating under traditional home education rules anymore. You follow the scholarship guidelines instead. That means reporting and requirements can look different.

So before you apply, understand the structure and decide what fits your family best.

This is not something to rush through. It deserves clarity.

The Emotional Adjustment Is Bigger Than the Paperwork

The paperwork takes maybe an hour.

The emotional shift takes months.

You go from dropping your child off at school to being responsible for everything. The learning. The pace. The gaps. The growth.

You question yourself.

Am I doing enough? Are they behind ?Are they missing out? What about socialization?

No one prepares you for how loud those thoughts can get.

And if you’re in Orlando, you might also feel like everyone else is doing something different. Public school. Private school. Hybrid school.

You have to get comfortable standing in your decision.

That part takes growth.

Your Homeschool Day Will Not Look Like Public School

This one took me time to truly understand.

Homeschool is not public school at home.

You can finish focused learning in two to four hours. Some days less. Some days more.

Learning happens at the library. At museums. At parks. In the kitchen. In real conversations.

Especially here in Orlando where there are so many community resources, you do not have to recreate a classroom.

The freedom is the point.

Community Is Not Optional

You can technically homeschool alone.

But you should not.

Community matters for your kids and for you.

• Co ops

• Church groups

• Park meetups

• Field trips

• Mom coffee days

  
  

If you are in Southeast Orlando, I am building a resource list because finding your people should not feel like a secret club.

Homeschool feels lighter when you are not carrying it by yourself.

Curriculum Overwhelm Is Real

This is where most new homeschool moms overspend.

You see beautiful book lists. Pinterest setups. Full room transformations.

And you think you need all of it to start.

You do not.

Start simple.

One solid math. One solid reading program. Add as you learn your child’s style.

If you are using scholarship funds, be intentional. Just because you can purchase more does not mean you need more.

Confidence grows when you stop trying to do everything.

You Do Not Have to Be a Certified Teacher

This one is big.

You are not trying to become a classroom teacher.

You are guiding your child’s education.

You are facilitating learning.

You are creating an environment where curiosity is safe.

You already know your child better than any teacher ever will.

That matters more than credentials.

Mama’s Thoughts 💌

Starting homeschool in Florida is more than filing paperwork. It is a mindset shift. Yes, you will learn the laws. Yes, you will figure out curriculum. Yes, you may explore options like Step Up.

But the real change happens in you.

You begin to see your child differently. You notice how they learn, what excites them, where they struggle. You grow in patience. You grow in confidence. Even on the days you question yourself, something inside of you is stretching.

Homeschooling is freedom and responsibility at the same time. It is choosing to be present. It is learning alongside your child instead of watching from the sidelines.

You do not have to be perfect to start. You just have to be willing.

And if you are walking this out in Orlando, you are not alone. We are figuring it out together, one day at a time.