What Does Accredited Homeschool Mean vs Unaccredited?

Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular education option for many families.

Some parents choose to homeschool because they want more control over their child’s curriculum, schedule, or environment. Others do it for religious, academic, or philosophical reasons.

Regardless of the motivation, one decision homeschooling parents face is whether to pursue an accredited program or take an unaccredited approach.

So what exactly does it mean to be an accredited homeschool versus an unaccredited one? Here’s an overview of the key differences.

What is Homeschool Accreditation?

Homeschool accreditation refers to certification that a homeschool program meets certain educational standards.

Just like traditional private and public schools, homeschools can choose to get accredited by an authorized accrediting agency.

There are national, regional, and religious accrediting bodies that review homeschool curricula, teacher qualifications, student progress assessments, and other factors.

If a homeschool meets the accreditor’s criteria, it receives accredited status. This accredited designation helps validate the quality of the education being provided.

Accreditation is voluntary for homeschools. There’s no law requiring homeschool programs to get accredited in order to operate.

But there are some benefits to accreditation that motivate many homeschools to pursue it.

Benefits of Accredited Homeschool Programs

Here are some of the main advantages of attending an accredited homeschool:

• Verification of quality education – Accreditation provides an independent review to confirm the homeschool is providing an adequate education that meets grade-level standards. This offers assurance to parents and students about the level of teaching and curriculum.

• Easier college admission – Colleges often prefer applicants who come from accredited high school programs. This includes accredited homeschools. So graduating from one can improve college prospects.

• Transferring credits – Credits earned from an accredited homeschool are more likely to transfer to other schools. This offers more flexibility if a student later attends public school or college.

• Access to sports/activities – Some public school sports, clubs, and activities are open to homeschoolers from accredited programs but not unaccredited ones. Accreditation facilitates participation.

• Qualifying for scholarships – Certain scholarships require students to graduate from an accredited homeschool in order to qualify. Accreditation expands scholarship opportunities.

• Ability to earn diploma – Most accredited homeschool programs have an option for students to earn an accredited high school diploma if they complete graduation requirements. Unaccredited homeschools typically don’t offer diplomas.

What Does Unaccredited Homeschool Mean?

In contrast to accredited homeschools that go through certification review, unaccredited homeschools are self-directed programs without oversight.

Families choose their own curriculum and structure the education as they see fit.

There are no accrediting agencies evaluating the education provided or holding the homeschool accountable to any standards. It’s a more flexible, parent-driven model of schooling.

Here are some elements that typically characterize an unaccredited homeschool:

• No set curriculum – Parents can mix and match curricula or create their own personalized plan. There are no curriculum requirements to meet.

• No required standardized testing – Unlike accredited schools, unaccredited homeschools don’t require students to take annual standardized tests. Testing is optional.

• No diploma awarded – Students complete their homeschool studies without earning a diploma. If desired, they can obtain a GED or take accredited online courses later to earn a high school diploma.

• No transcript review – Since there is no accrediting body, student progress records are not formally reviewed or validated. Parents maintain their own transcripts.

• No qualifications required to homeschool – Most states don’t require specific teaching qualifications to homeschool, even without accreditation. Parents decide who educates their kids.

Related post: Explore Advantages of Online Schooling for Busy Families

Pros and Cons of Accredited vs. Unaccredited Homeschools

Accredited and unaccredited homeschooling both have potential ups and downs depending on your priorities:

Accredited Pros: verified quality, college admission benefits, transferrable credits, diploma eligibility

Accredited Cons: more standards to meet, required testing, costs of accreditation, less flexibility

Unaccredited Pros: greater curriculum freedom, more scheduling flexibility, lower demands, cost savings

Unaccredited Cons: no diploma option, harder to transfer credits, limited sports/club participation, no accreditation assurances

Which option is best comes down to the goals and philosophy of the homeschool family. Neither route is universally better or worse across the board.

Homeschoolers should weigh the pros and cons carefully when deciding between accredited or unaccredited status.

Paths to Homeschool Accreditation

Homeschools interested in getting accredited have a few options:

• National accreditors – Agencies like AdvancED or the National Association of Private Schools accredit homeschools nationwide based on their standards.

• Regional accreditors – Organizations like the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools provide regional accreditation in certain areas of the U.S.

• Religious accreditors – Faith-based accrediting bodies like the Association of Christian Schools International certify Christian homeschool curricula.

The application process involves submitting curriculum, policies, and records for review.

Accreditors charge fees based on criteria like enrollment numbers. The accreditation must be renewed periodically, often annually.

Making the Homeschool Decision

When choosing between accredited and unaccredited homeschooling, parents should consider factors like their student’s learning style, family goals, need for diploma, interest in higher education, and desire for structure. Homeschooling offers wonderful flexibility to craft an education that fits each child.

Whichever approach families take, the priority should be ensuring students receive a quality education to equip them for the future. Homeschooling allows parents to pick the best path to achieve that goal for their unique situation. With responsible oversight and engagement, both accredited and unaccredited homeschools can successfully graduate educated, empowered students.