General Frequently Asked Questions
Is homeschooling legal in Ohio?Yes. Your right to provide the education for your child/ren is safeguarded by Ohio’s home education regulations (OAC 3301-34-02). It is your constitutional right to make education choices for your child. This right was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1972 (Wisconsin vs. Yoder).
Do I have to be a certified teacher to homeschool my children?
No. Homeschool “teachers” must have a high school diploma or GED or test scores which demonstrate high school equivalence, or the parent must “work under the direction of a person holding a baccalaureate degree . . . until children’s test results demonstrate reasonable proficiency . . .”
Does each school district have different requirements?
No. The requirements for homeschooling became effective August 1, 1989. School districts may not exceed, change or alter these requirements in any manner.
I’ve decided to homeschool. Who do I need to notify?
Notify the Superintendent of your school (not the attendance officer, student services personnel or school principal). If your district contains the word “local,” notify your County Superintendent of Education.
What do I need to provide to my school when I decide to homeschool?
You must fill out a homeschool notification form available from the superintendent’s office of your local school. The requirements are the same for all Ohio school district schools. You will also need to submit an overview of the curriculum you will be using as well as a list of textbooks/books that you will be using. Descriptions of classes that will be taken at LOL and books that will be used can be cut and pasted from our website.
Do I have to wait until the start of the year?
No. You may start homeschooling any time.
Is there something I need to provide at the end of the year? Do I have to have my child tested each year?
At the end of each school year, you need to provide your child’s school with one of the following “assessments: A portfolio review Keep samples of the child’s work throughout the year. Contact a certified teacher willing to do a portfolio review (LOL has teachers available). The teacher will review samples of your child’s work, and/or interview you and/or your child. The teacher then provides a signed statement, which you turn in as your assessment. Cost is about $40 - $55 per child, often with discounts for siblings. Or A nationally normed, standardized test. You could have your child take the standardized test with other kids at your local public school. Another option is to get a test yourself and have your child take it according to the directives. Or Anything else you and your superintendent agree on. Contact your superintendent and request to work out an alternative form of assessment.
Does my child have to start LOL at the beginning of the school year?
No, you may start at any time during the year for most classes if there is still space in the class. Some classes are difficult to pick up mid-year.
Can LOL be used as full time school?
Yes, LOL offers a full range of classes.
How many students are there per class?
We recognize the importance of small class size in maintaining a quality learning environment, and keep an average of ten students per class.
How do I know what age group is best for my child?
Age is often a good starting point when deciding how to place students in a group situation. However, students of the same age are not necessarily at the same place academically, socially, or emotionally. After twelve years, we have come to the conclusion that a two-year age range works best for the more academic classes, and a two- to four-year age range for the enrichment classes.
We advise parents not to be too quick to automatically think their child should be in an older group. A child's emotional and social needs are just as important as his or her academic needs. Our small class sizes usually allow us to challenge most students. We rely on our teachers to make group change recommendations.
What are your teachers’ qualifications?
LOL is not a co-op. Our teachers are pivotal to the success of our program. We hire knowledgeable, highly qualified teachers who are passionate about their subjects, teach in a hands-on way, and love and respect our children. Our teacher credentials compare favorably with some of the most expensive private schools in the area: about 40% of our teachers have advanced degrees.
Does my child get “grades” at LOL?
Students will receive a written evaluation of their work for each class they attend twice a year, once in January and once in June. These evaluations will include learning objectives for the class and information about how well these objectives were met by the student. Information about class participation, conduct attendance, and enthusiasm will be included as well.
Students in our academic classes will be given the option of choosing to receive a letter grade in addition to the evaluation. While we hope that all students are motivated by the intrinsic joy of learning, we recognize that grades can be a motivator for some students. This is an attempt to individualize our program and to best meet students’ needs.