Should Homeschoolers Be Tutored?

Homeschooling opens up an exciting world of personalized learning, but let’s face it—not every parent is ready to tackle trigonometry or craft the perfect college essay. That’s where tutoring comes in. Far from being a crutch, tutoring can add depth, expertise, and efficiency to the homeschooling experience. Let’s explore why it makes sense to include tutoring in your homeschool toolkit—and how it’s not just for struggling students.

Why Homeschoolers Should Consider Tutoring

1. You’re not expected to know everything. Homeschooling doesn’t require you to be a walking encyclopedia. For specialized or advanced subjects—think calculus, AP Chemistry, or even Mandarin—bringing in an expert tutor can make all the difference. It’s about ensuring your child has access to quality education, even if the topic is outside your comfort zone.

2. Prepping for college is a whole other ball game. College admissions can feel like a full-time job: standardized test prep, essay writing, application deadlines, and interviews. Tutors who specialize in these areas can provide personalized strategies, practice tests, and constructive feedback to ensure your homeschooler shines among traditional school applicants.

3. Tailored support for unique learning styles. Not all students learn the same way, and that’s especially true for homeschoolers who may already follow a less conventional path. Tutors can adapt to your child’s specific needs, whether it’s working at their own pace, addressing ADHD challenges, or accelerating learning for gifted students.

How Tutoring Solves Common Homeschool Challenges

Feeling spread too thin: If you’re juggling multiple kids’ learning schedules or working part-time, tutors can help lighten the load by focusing on specific subjects.

Hitting a knowledge ceiling: Advanced math and science topics often require not just subject knowledge but also teaching expertise to explain complex ideas.

Preparing for specialized opportunities: Whether it’s scholarships, STEM competitions, or music conservatory applications, a tutor with expertise in those areas can guide your child through the process.

How Tutoring Enhances the Homeschooling Journey

When paired with tools like free online resources, tutoring acts as a bridge between homeschooling and mainstream education. It fills knowledge gaps, provides accountability, and helps students achieve academic and personal goals.

Free Resources to Complement Tutoring

• Khan Academy: Offers courses on virtually every subject, complete with interactive exercises, videos, and mastery challenges.

• Coursera: While many courses are paid, there are free options for homeschoolers to explore college-level material in subjects like computer science, history, or writing.

• HippoCampus: This free resource covers middle school to college-level topics, offering multimedia lessons in science, math, and the humanities.

• Project Gutenberg: Free access to thousands of classic books in the public domain, ideal for literature studies.

If you're looking for structured and personalized support to take your homeschooling to the next level, we at North American Tutors offer expert one-on-one tutoring in various subjects and college preparation.

The Bottom Line

Homeschooling is a fantastic opportunity to customize your child’s education, but it doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Tutors bring expertise, relieve pressure, and open doors to new opportunities—without replacing your role as the primary educator. If you want to give your homeschooler an edge, tutoring can be a smart addition to your educational plan.

After all, education isn’t about going it alone—it’s about creating a network of resources that helps your child thrive.