Just over 6000 Kiwi kids were taught at home last year.

These students belong to 3022 families, and the average age of homeschoolers was 12.

Home school parents need approval and regular checks from the Ministry of Education, and must educate their children to the standard they would receive at a registered school.

So what is it about home schooling that attracts parents? Quality time, better managed health needs, freedom to individualise learning?

Or is it a perceived failing of the public education system? What does home schooling offer that public school cannot?

Do you home school your family? What was the reason behind your decision? What challenges have you faced since home schooling your children?

To share your story, hit the button below. As usual, we prefer submissions of 250 words or more, and we’d love to see photos of your home school activities, too. App users: email stuffnation@stuff.co.nz

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Needing help for your home schooling journey: https://hef.org.nz/2011/needing-help-for-your-home-schooling-journey-2/

And

Here are a couple of links to get you started home schooling:

Information on getting started: https://hef.org.nz/getting-started-2/

and

Information on getting an exemption: https://hef.org.nz/exemptions/

This link is motivational: http://hef.org.nz/2012/home-schooling-what-is-it-all-about/

Exemption Form online: https://hef.org.nz/2012/home-schooling-exemption-form-now-online/

Beneficiaries: http://hef.org.nz/2013/where-to-for-beneficiary-families-now-that-the-social-security-benefit-categories-and-work-focus-amendment-bill-has-passed-its-third-reading