For families embracing full-time travel, homeschooling on the road provides a unique opportunity to tailor education to fit a flexible, adventurous lifestyle. There are many options available depending on your family’s needs, from structured online public school programs to more flexible homeschool options. Below, we break down some of the best options and where you can learn more about each.
What is Roadschooling?
Roadschooling is a homeschooling approach where families blend travel with education, turning the world into their classroom. Instead of relying solely on traditional lessons, children learn through a mix of structured coursework, hands-on activities, and real-life experiences. (It’s great to read about Mt. Rushmore, but it can be even better to visit in person!) This method allows families to shape their child’s learning around their adventures, weaving in subjects like geography, history, science, and cultural studies. Whether using online programs, book-based curriculum, or immersive learning experiences, roadschooling provides a dynamic and adaptable way to educate while on the move.
Understanding State Homeschooling Laws
Before beginning your homeschool journey, it’s crucial to research your home state’s homeschool laws. Regulations vary widely, with some states requiring record-keeping, testing, or curriculum approval. Visit your state’s Department of Education website or connect with a local homeschool association to ensure compliance with state laws.
1. Online Public School
For families who prefer a structured curriculum with state oversight, online public school programs provide a tuition-free option. These programs follow state educational standards and often provide resources like teacher support and structured lesson plans. We currently use this option as it provides the structure and support we need while working traditional 9-to-5 jobs on the road.
K-12
Overview: A tuition-free online public school program available in many states.
Best For: Families wanting a structured curriculum with state standards.
Learn More: www.k12.com
Connections Academy
Overview: A well-established online public school that provides certified teacher support.
Best For: Parents who want a structured program with assessments and teacher involvement.
Learn More: www.connectionsacademy.com
Other Options Depending on Your Home State
- Many states offer their own online school options. For instance, in our home state of Wisconsin there are 62 registered virtual charter schools! Check your state’s Department of Education website for availability and enrollment details.
2. Online Homeschool Curriculum
If you prefer more flexibility but still want an online structure, these programs allow for self-paced learning while still covering core subjects. We have utilized some of the options below (we loved Miacademy). We also use some online supplemental options outside of our virtual public school to provide additional learning avenues for our kiddos interests.
Miacademy
Overview: Offers both secular and faith-based options. They also have additional extracurricular options that you can assign based on your children’s interests. There is an interactive game component to this as well, which our children found fun.
Best For: Families who want flexibility in choosing a worldview for their studies.
Learn More: www.miaacademy.com
Time4Learning
Overview: A self-paced online homeschool curriculum with interactive lessons. This option is a little more structured than Miacademy in what can be assigned for a grade level.
Best For: Independent learners who enjoy a mix of video-based and interactive learning.
Learn More: www.time4learning.com
Power Homeschool (Acellus)
Overview: Video-based instruction with automated grading. There is also an assessment option that can evaluate where a learner should be and if additional time is needed on a subject.
Best For: Families who want structured learning with teacher-led videos.
Learn More: www.powerhomeschool.org
Outschool
Overview: Live, teacher-led online classes covering a vast range of topics. This option is often used in supplement to other curriculums, but they have a lot of grade specific classes that you could build together.
Best For: Parents looking for interactive, interest-led learning.
Learn More: www.outschool.com
Khan Academy
Overview: A free educational platform covering core subjects with high-quality instructional videos.
Best For: Families seeking a completely free, self-paced curriculum.
Learn More: www.khanacademy.org
3. Book-Based Homeschool Curriculum
For families who prefer a more traditional approach, book-based homeschool curricula offer structured yet flexible learning that can be adapted to life on the road.
BJU Press
Overview: A Christian-based curriculum offering a mix of textbooks and online learning options.
Best For: Families seeking a rigorous, faith-based academic program.
Learn More: www.bjupresshomeschool.com
The Good and the Beautiful
Overview: A faith-based curriculum that incorporates nature, art, and literature.
Best For: Families looking for a beautiful, open-and-go curriculum with strong moral values.
Learn More: www.goodandbeautiful.com
BookShark
Overview: A secular, literature-based homeschool program. We did utilize this option when we first went on the road. The literature provided was wonderful. We found it was a little load heavy with four learners, so that is something to keep in mind when considering.
Best For: Parents who prefer an open-and-go curriculum with an emphasis on reading.
Learn More: www.bookshark.com
Master Books
Overview: Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschool curriculum with a Christian foundation. They also offer information in Biblical Apologetics, which is a unique aspect.
Best For: Families who prefer short, engaging lessons with a biblical perspective.
Learn More: www.masterbooks.com
Abeka
Overview: A faith-based curriculum with strong academic rigor.
Best For: Families who want a structured, traditional homeschool approach with a biblical foundation.
Learn More: www.abeka.com
Supplemental Resources for Any Homeschool Option
Many families choose to supplement their chosen homeschool curriculum with additional resources to provide a well-rounded education. Some great options include:
Outschool: Offers live classes in unique topics, perfect for electives, arts, or advanced subjects. We utilize Outschool for a variety of subjects and we have many traveling friends who also utilize this great platform for learning. Our youngest daughter is currently learning Korean through Outschool! www.outschool.com
Skillshare: Great for creative courses, including art, music, and design. This is a great option for teenagers on the road looking to learn a specific skill. www.skillshare.com
Duolingo: Free language learning platform for kids and adults. We utilize this as a household and our kiddos really love it! www.duolingo.com
Prodigy: A fun, game-based math learning platform. A great option to make learning interactive and engaging for game loving kiddos! www.prodigygame.com
Adventure Academy: Interactive learning in science, social studies, and reading for elementary students. We utilized ABCmouse when our children were younger, and this is a great option for older kiddos. www.adventureacademy.com
Final Thoughts
Choosing a homeschool curriculum for full-time travel depends on your child’s learning style, your educational philosophy, and how much structure you prefer. Whether you opt for online public school, flexible online homeschool programs, or a book-based curriculum, there are plenty of excellent options to fit your family’s needs on the road.
Stay tuned for Part 2 in our homeschool series, where we will cover hands-on learning resources, travel-friendly learning tools, and how to incorporate real-world experiences into your homeschooling journey. Also, if you are new to full-time RV travel, check out this article on how we plan our routes!
Are you currently homeschooling while traveling? Share your experiences in the comments below!
