What’s The Difference Between Online School and Homeschool?

Understanding which school option is best for your child.

More and more, parents are considering online-based schooling options for their children. Both online school and homeschool offer flexible class schedules from the comfort of your own home, but what are the main differences between the two? How can they impact your child differently?

For families who are just beginning their search for a new approach to education, online public school options like Indiana Digital Learning School (INDLS) aren’t homeschool. They’re at school, at home. Students are taught by classroom teachers and are able to interact with their educators and peers from the comfort and safety of their own home. These schools also offer extracurricular activities, clubs, and student support services, just like their in-person model partners. INDLS is a tuition-free online school that brings local and national resources straight to your doorstep, ensuring your child a personalized pathway to success.

Homeschool is a popular option for families looking for options outside of the traditional public school model. For families who choose the homeschool route, parents and guardians assume responsibility for developing and teaching lesson plans, managing attendance, and monitoring progress for their students.

Are you or your child exploring new education options? Explore the differences between online school and homeschool below.

	Online School	Homeschool
Social Activities	When considering online school, one of the biggest questions is “Will I/my student be able to make friends?” Online schools like INDLS offer spaces like the K12 Zone, where students can connect with others just like them in competitions, virtual and in-person programming, and more.	Students and parents can choose how they want to be involved through clubs, sports, arts, and other extracurriculars.
Student Support	Students and parents can choose how they want to be involved through clubs, sports, arts, and other extracurricular.	Parents and guardians of homeschoolers are responsible for lesson planning, teaching, and maintaining progress, but may look to outside sources for support, like pre-made lesson plans, assignments, and tutoring.
Flexibility	Is your student an athlete balancing a rigorous training schedule, or does your family like to have immersive travel experiences throughout the year? Students enrolled in online school can choose how they structure their day with flexible and adaptable schedules that allow them to work asynchronously or join live class sessions with teachers and peers.	School schedules are flexible with no requirements for in-school hours per day, but Indiana requires 180 days of instruction during the academic year (July 1-June 30).
Curriculum	At K12-powered schools like INDLS, state-certified educators follow the academic structure and curriculum of traditional schools. Parents don’t need to worry about what lessons to teach and when, and INDLS students can expect to learn the same material as their friends in traditional public schools.	Homeschoolers in Indiana are not required to provide an enrollment notice. See here for more Indiana homeschooling requirements.
Cost	While online school costs vary by program, schools like INDLS make low-cost and tuition-free programs easy and accessible. INDLS even delivers textbooks and course materials – and in some cases, computers and internet stipends – directly to your home at no cost.	Families can expect to pay out-of-pocket for school supplies, textbooks, and course materials, as well as extracurriculars and field trips.
State Regulations	Administrators at online schools manage attendance and monitor student progress according to state regulations, making it easy for parents and guardians to support their students through online school.	Similar to in-person learning, an online-learning parent or guardian’s main job is to support their students’ daily schedules and cheer them on. State-certified educators handle everything else, including developing curriculum, providing instruction, facilitating feedback, and monitoring progress.

Homeschool and online school are both options for students looking for a flexible learning environment, but it’s important to find the option that works best for your family’s needs. Weighing factors like socialization, academic support, scheduling, and cost can help drive your choice. If you or your child are interested in online school, find more information here.

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