Watch CBS News

Best Resources For Homeschool Families In Chicago

By Sara Lugardo

Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular method of education for children of all ages. Public schools have come under fire for teachers failing to produce quality results in their students and private schools can be extremely expensive. Homeschooling can be a great alternative for parents wanting to have more involvement in their child's education. However, it can be a little intimidating to find resources to help with the homeschooling process. Taking advantage of the different resources available to families in Chicago for homeschooling is a great way to make the process easier for both you and your child.

YMCA
(Credit: ymcachicago.org)

Home School Swim
Indian Boundary YMCA
711 59th St.
Downers Grove, IL 60516
(630) 968-8400
www.ymcachicago.org

Price: $25
Dates: Feb. 1-28, 2013

The YMCA is collaborating with homeschool groups for instructional swim and play classes. The class helps to socialize kids that are homeschooled. They focus on developing proper stroke technique, water safety and personal growth. Physical activities in homeschooling is important to add dimension to the curriculum and socialize with other children. YMCA of Metro Chicago offers a wide variety of different programs that qualify as homeschool gym credits. Check out the listings at your local YMCA and find a sports activity that will complement your homeschooling curriculum. Click here to sign up.

Chicago Homeschool Expo
(Credit: Chicago Homeschool Expo's facebook)

2013 Chicago Homeschool Expo
Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 342-5485
www.chicagohomeschoolexpo.com

Price: $20 online, $30 at the door
Dates: May 16-18, 2013

This event is scheduled just before the beginning of the new school year. The exhibits include educational materials by Christian, secular and independent publishers. There will be informative displays, educational resources for sale and open discussion of different educational tools for implementing in homeschooling. This event is perfect for parents, teachers and those that are new to the homeschooling process.

Homeschooling
(Credit: chicagohomeschoolexpo.com)

Homeschooling For Excellence 101
Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 342-5485
www.chicagohomeschoolexpo.com

Price: $60 online, $75 at door
Date: May 16, 2013

Homeschooling for Excellence 101 is affiliated with the Illinois Homeschool Expo. Workshop attendees are encouraged to attend the Chicago Homeschool Expo and additional workshops for no additional charge. The actual class is a conference taught by Randi St. Denis, the Director of Home Educators Encouragement Alliance, and Rebecca Ingram Powell, a homeschooling author, speaker and mother of three. The conference includes everything from a section on answering the most commonly asked questions regarding how to begin homeschooling to how computers can be used to enhance the effectiveness of homeschooling.

Chicago Public Schools
Homeschooling
125 S. Clark St., 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
(773) 553-3733
www.cps.edu

While homeschooling can be a great alternative to public education, it's important to ensure proper documentation and requirement information for your child. For parents choosing to homeschool their children in Chicago, there are three separate documents to be completed. The website for homeschooling requirements for Chicago Public Schools is an important resource for parents looking to homeschool their children. There are downloadable attachments for required documents and mailing information on where to send completed forms. There are also helpful sheets on learning standard guidelines for Illinois and resources for parents and students.

iche
(Credit: iche.org)

2013 ICHE Annual State Convention
Calvary Church
9S200 State Route 59
Naperville, IL 60564
(630) 851-7000
www.iche.org

Price: 1 day from $55-$65, 2 days from $75-$90, 3 days from $105-$120
Dates: June 6-8, 2013

Illinois Christian Home Educators holds an annual state convention for homeschooling needs. There are speakers that offer instruction in homeschooling and workshops that are geared towards parents, families and children of all ages. While the 2013 ICHE Annual State Convention is a huge draw to unite families of faith in homeschooling, the organization has a wide variety of different programs with resources for parents who choose to homeschool. Whether it's movie night events to bring families together in socialization or support groups for parents needing encouragement in their regimen, all are beneficial.

Sara Lugardo is a Korean American who thrives in writing about Asian community news in Chicago. She has a Bachelor's in Communication and is currently working on her Master's. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.