Homeschooling in New Mexico
Here are some useful resources that may be helpful as you are getting started.
Power Homeschool’s Homeschooling in New Mexico site highlights resources, helpful tips, support groups, and so much more!
Homeschool Laws and Requirements in New Mexico
Each state has different rules regarding a parent’s ability to homeschool their children and all the laws that they must follow.
Homeschool Groups and Support in New Mexico
Some of the best resources to help homeschool families be successful are homeschool associations, support groups, and co-ops.
How to Start Homeschooling in New Mexico
If you have decided that homeschool is a good fit for your family, you are probably wondering how to get started with the whole process.
Field Trips Available to Homeschoolers in New Mexico
The flexibility to go on more field trips is one of the many perks of homeschooling.
Find out what New Mexico has to offer!
Resources
New Mexico Homeschool Laws and Requirements
Many states have rules and guidelines regarding parents homeschooling their children. Here are some links to help you find information regarding New Mexico.
Important Considerations for Homeschooling Success
Create a Study Plan
When homeschooling in New Mexico, it is important to establish a clean environment where distractions are limited for your child to study on a regular schedule. Study routines are valuable for learning discipline. They also help your child stay on track with weekly, monthly and yearly academic goals. Create a schedule and expect your child to stick to it. Modify the schedule when necessary to help your child stay challenged while still able to achieve your expectations.
Read more: 10 Tips to Effectively Homeschool Online
Build Foundational Knowledge
As your child progresses in their studies, addressing gaps in their foundational knowledge will be crucial to their future success. For example, if your child struggles with basic math, it may become nearly impossible for them to master more advanced math concepts until they get help with their basic math challenges. In Acellus courses, Vectored Instruction automatically takes into account a student’s existing knowledge gaps and provides targeted interventions to bridge those gaps. If a student lacks the foundational understanding required for the new concept, the system automatically provides relevant remedial content before proceeding further.
It is crucial that students achieve early success with online learning so that their confidence will grow. Sometimes it may be necessary to place your child into an earlier course so they can begin experiencing success before they are ready to start moving forward with their learning.
Read more: Helping Your Student Excel in Acellus
KEEP RECORDS AND DOCUMENTATION
You should keep thorough records of your child’s education. This will be beneficial when they apply for colleges or jobs after high school. Power Homeschool’s online parent portal automatically makes it easy to track progress, download coursework examples, attendance, and keep transcripts of classes taken.
It is also a good idea to get student ID cards and parent/teacher ID cards. Many retailers and venues offer teacher or student discounts that can be claimed by showing ID cards. A professional student ID card with a good quality identification photo included is also an good way to show that your student is enrolled is a reputable homeschool program.
Resources
Homeschool Support & Groups in New Mexico
One of the most beneficial things that homeschoolers can do is to get involved in their state and local homeschool communities. Statewide homeschool associations are organizations that provide resources, offer legal advice, and sponsor events.
One of New Mexico’s largest homeschool associations is called the Christian Association of Parent Educators (CAPE-NM). The perks of becoming a member of this homeschool association include email alerts, information about upcoming events and suggested resources, and discounted HSLDA memberships.
In addition to a statewide homeschool association, New Mexico homeschoolers can join support groups and co-ops. Homeschool support groups allow families to connect with other homeschoolers in their area and share advice about homeschooling. These groups can either meet in person or communicate online, but either way, homeschool support groups can enhance home education and offer support for parents and students.
Homeschool co-ops are similar to support groups, but they exist to give homeschoolers group learning experiences, which build valuable skills like teamwork and communication. Parents typically take turns providing instruction or hire a tutor. Some homeschool co-ops focus on particular subjects or enrichment activities, while others are general or offer faith-lead studies.
Whatever your family is looking for, you are sure to find a homeschool support group or co-op that aligns with your needs. Many groups have Facebook pages or websites, making them easy to find online. However, here are a few examples to provide you an idea of the types of support available to New Mexico homeschoolers:
Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!
How to Start Homeschooling New Mexico
When considering homeschool for the first time, it is perfectly normal for you to have a lot of questions. Our guide to getting started with homeschool is a great place to begin when researching whether homeschooling is the right fit for your family. First, you should research the homeschool laws in New Mexico to ensure you can abide by all the necessary requirements. If you choose to transition to homeschool, you will need to notify your school district.
Before starting to homeschool, you’ll also need to select a homeschool curriculum program that will fulfill the subject requirements for home education in New Mexico. Power Homeschool is an online curriculum for K-12 students, which includes courses in the core subjects of mathematics, language arts and reading, science, and social studies. Our students can also take electives, foreign languages, career and technical education, and social and emotional learning courses.
Resources
Homeschool Field Trips in New Mexico
A great way to enhance any curriculum is by going on field trips and participating in enrichment activities. Students of all ages and grade levels can learn something new by touring museums, exploring science centers, and attending special educational events. New Mexico has many different field trip destinations for all types of students. However, the following are examples of field trips across New Mexico to give you an idea about all the state has to offer.
- Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano in Grants: This unique field trip allows students to learn about geology and landforms by exploring an ice cave and volcano. Families will have a full day of activities with touring the galleries, participating in gem mining, and visiting the trading post.
- Aztec Ruins National Park in Aztec: Although named after the Aztec civilization, these ruins actually belonged to the Pueblo community. Students can explore the ruins to learn about what life was like centuries ago.
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque: Exploring the halls of exhibits will allow students to learn about the science and natural history of the region. Complete with a theater and planetarium, families will find a lot to do at this museum.
- National Hispanic Culture Center in Albuquerque: Located on the Rio Grande, this cultural center allows visitors to learn about the Hispanic culture and history of the area. In addition to permanent and temporary exhibits, families can attend workshops, special events, and more.
- Bandelier National Monument in Los Alamos: Exploring this land will allow students to learn about the diverse ecosystems, wildlife species, and history of the ancestral Pueblo people that inhabited the land more than 10,000 years ago.
- Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe: With nine galleries and numerous family programs, this museum allows students to learn about the world-famous American artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Young artists will be inspired by her paintings, drawings, watercolors, and pastels.
- New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe: New Mexico homeschoolers can learn about the history and culture of the state. The museum’s exhibits showcase the history of indigenous tribes, Spanish colonization, the Santa Fe Trail, and much more.
- Mesalands CC Dinosaur Museum in Tucumcari: Housing both replicated and original fossils, this museum is a great field trip for students to learn about paleontology and geology. The museum also features sculptures, paintings, and a children’s activity center.
- Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio: Homeschoolers can explore wildlife species that are native to the region, including birds that fly south for winter. Free guided tours and nature trails are available, as well.
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