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Is Roadschooling Right for Your Family? Pros, Considerations, and How to Prepare
Do you have a love for adventure? Do you get excited at the thought of living in an RV, meeting new people regularly and traveling to different locations to see the sights? If so, you don’t have to put your dream of travel on hold until your kids graduate from high school. Consider homeschooling instead, or more specifically, roadschooling.
One of the great things about homeschooling (roadschooling) is its flexibility.
You have the freedom to choose how, when and where you teach class, even if that means doing so as you travel across the country. Roadschooling is fun, exciting and it’s a great way to give your kids the education they need while living your dream. It’s a wonderful way for students of all ages to learn about this beautiful world they live in.
They’ll meet new people, see things many kids only read about, and learn firsthand how people in different areas live. Of course, it’s not for everyone, even if traveling the country sounds appealing to you. Traveling and homeschooling can be stressful at times but the benefits are many.
So, how do you know if roadschooling is right for your family?
Take time to set down and talk about it with the family. Do the kids understand what living in an RV and traveling around really means? Is everyone excited and thinking it’s a good idea or is there someone who prefers living in your home? Talk about how it will be traveling and some of the main things you would like to do and see while on the road.Is Roadschooling Right for You?
Pros and Cons of Roadschooling
Pros:
- Kids experience hands-on learning through travel and real-world encounters
- Flexibility to design your homeschool schedule around your family’s lifestyle
- Opportunities to visit historic landmarks, museums, and nature sites
- Quality family time and shared experiences on the road
- Teaches adaptability, independence, and resilience
Cons:
- Limited space and privacy in an RV or travel trailer
- Homeschool organization and storage can be challenging
- Internet access may be unreliable for digital learning
- Requires extra planning to meet homeschool legal requirements
- Constant transitions can be overwhelming for some kids (and parents)
If everyone seems to be on board, here are a few more things to consider that may help you decide if roadschooling is right for your family:
• Space will be limited. Living in close quarters can be stressful at times. In fact, you may even have second thoughts once in a while and wonder why you ever thought this was a good idea but that’s normal. There’s very little privacy so expect tensions to build occasionally. You also won’t have much room for storing school supplies so choose your curriculum accordingly.
• You need a plan. Before you set out on your journey, you need a plan that outlines where you plan to visit, the route you plan to take, how long to stay in each place and so forth. This will help you determine which curriculum will work best for your homeschool and allow you to plan field trips along the way. Check for special events, museums and other interesting places to see and things to do during the time you’re traveling through the areas.
• Know the requirements for homeschooling. Homeschooling requirements are different for every state. Normally, you will need to know and comply with the homeschool laws for the state you call home and pay taxes in. Start here if you are brand new to homeschooling.
• You must be flexible. Flexibility is vital when learning on the road. Things don’t always go according to plan. You may need to make a lot of last minute changes to your homeschool schedule. You need to be flexible enough to make changes without getting stressed or allowing yourself to get too far behind.
• Have a system for record keeping. This is very important. At some point, you may be required to show proof of your homeschooling efforts. You will need to show what the kids learned through your curriculum and on field trips. You may even need to create a homeschool portfolio.
How to Start Roadschooling
Talk it through as a family. Make sure everyone understands what roadschooling means and is on board with the lifestyle change.
Research homeschool laws. Learn the legal requirements in your state of residency before hitting the road.
Create a rough travel plan. Outline destinations, how long you’ll stay in each place, and any key sights you want to include.
Choose curriculum and supplies that travel well. Look for digital or compact options that don’t take up much space.
Set up a simple recordkeeping system. Keep track of what your kids are learning, especially if your state requires documentation.
Build flexibility into your schedule. Embrace the unexpected and be ready to adjust your plans as needed.
Join roadschooling communities. Connect with other traveling families online or at RV parks and events for encouragement and tips.
- Grab our Roadschooling Guide for Rookies!
These are a few of the most important things you need to know about roadschooling. It gives you an idea of what to expect before pulling the kids out of school and packing your bags. How well things go will depend on your family’s personalities, likes and dislikes but it will go much smoother when you’re prepared.
If you’re adventurous and don’t mind living on the go, roadschooling is a fun and exciting way to learn. Your kids can learn many things about life and people in general that most kids don’t learn until they’re grown.
