Naming Your Homeschool? How to Find the Best Name!
Now that you’ve started homeschooling, or even if you have a few homeschool years under your belt, the question may arise “Should you name your homeschool?”
Great question! Naming your homeschool may be one of the first things you thought about as you got started homeschooling. Or, again, it may be an afterthought a few years down the homeschool path.
The answer to this question relies heavily on another question – does your state require you to name your homeschool? Answer = all states are different, haha very helpful I know!
Check out HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) to see your state’s requirements when it comes to homeschooling.
Legal requirement aside there are also a few other reasons many homeschooling families choose to name their homeschools.
Why?
Why name your homeschool? There are many reasons it may be the right choice for your family:
May be legally required
Mentioned above, but again, some states do require all those who are registered as homeschoolers to formally name their homeschool. Make sure you see if this is the case where you live.
For Homeschool Discounts
As I’ve written about here about discounts for homeschool field trips, there are so many opportunities for discounts available to homeschooling families.
From back to school supplies (Target offers homeschoolers this!) to admission discounts or homeschool days at local museums and science centers, there are so many ways to save!
Having a homeschool name is not necessary for these but sometimes easier to have when filling out forms.
High School Transcripts
Having a name for your homeschool will also come in handy for your high school transcripts you will create for your kids.
Also, whether you order one yourself or are a part of a homeschool organization that provides one & handles a graduation ceremony, you can use the name of your homeschool on your child’s diploma.
It may not be necessary or legal where you live, but it may make things feel more organized and official if you have a name to put for the school name section.
Job Applications
Another perk to having a homeschool name is if your teen decides to start working while still in high school, or even after.
Filling out job applications can most definitely have homeschool as the school name. But again it may make you or your child feel more confident having a school name to list.
Scholarship/College Applications
Just as with job applications, a homeschool name can come in handy with applying for scholarships or when applying for college admission.
To “feel official”
This could be totally irrelevant to you and your homeschool philosophy or your “why” you chose to homeschool, but a homeschool name can make it all feel more “official.”
Just like some people like to structure their homeschool days in a more orderly or organized way, adding an official name to your homeschool may bring you some peace of mind.
Because it’s fun!
FUN is one of the biggest perks to homeschooling! And if it’s fun to brainstorm a name for your homeschool with your kids, do it!
Make it a big deal – it is a big deal!
This precious time with our kids is the biggest deal of all in my opinion 🙂
Have everyone, kids and parents and maybe even grandparents if you’re lucky enough to live near them, come up with an idea or two.
Make a big list and try out the names for a couple of days. Write them out, say them aloud, etc. You will know what your homeschool name is when it feels right!
Think of ways to make it fun now. Maybe print labels or stickers with your homeschool name on them, or if you’re crafty and have a Cricut vinyl cutting machine, make school t-shirts with your new name on them.
If you have a pet, make them your school mascot!
There are many ways to incorporate your homeschool name in your everyday school life that can make it feel fun and important for your kids.
How?
How to name your homeschool? A few things to keep in mind when deciding on your homeschool name:
Don’t be misleading with your homeschool name
A helpful tip is to make sure to include the word homeschool in your name to not be misleading. Let’s say you decide on your favorite type of tree for your homeschool name, the Maple.
Naming your homeschool Maple Academy may not be enough on an application, college, job, and scholarships to designate your child as homeschooled.
You don’t want to be falsely representing a school outside of the home. But more importantly, you want to make sure the fact that your child was homeschooled is noticed.
As mentioned above, check HSLDAto see if your state has requirements for naming your homeschool.
Ideas for names
As mentioned above, finding the right name for your homeschool is important. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when selecting your homeschool name:
Favorite book character/setting
Use the name of a favorite literary character or setting in your homeschool name, like Avonlea Academy.
Favorite season/activity
“Summer School” may not work here haha, but maybe if you are a ski/snowboarding family something like Winter Hill Academy or Driftwood Homeschool if summer and the beach if your family’s favorite time of year & spot.
Your last name
Simple, but you can always chose your last name along with school, academy, homeschool, learning center etc!
Geographical landmark
Choosing a geographic location that is important to your family is another option, something like Azalea Park Prep Homeschool.
Things to consider when choosing your homeschool name:
Name that will grow with your kids
If you start homeschooling when your kids are little, little ones, keep in mind the name you choose should be able to grow with them.
If your girls love princesses in early elementary ages and choose Princess Training Academy or you have kids into superheroes and choose School for Superheroes, will those names look great on a high school transcript?
Cute as they are, probably not haha. Choosing a name that will work for many years will be the best bet if you are serious about using the homeschool name later in your kids’ future endeavors.
Consistency is key
That last tip leads easily into this one. Whatever name you choose, keep it consistent, especially as your kids get a little older. Make sure they know the name and are comfortable with remembering and spelling it for when they fill out any forms on their own.
Have fun naming your homeschool!
There are an endless amount of options out there when it comes to naming your homeschool. Have fun with coming up with ideas! Try one or two out and see how it feels, you’ll know when you’ve found the one!
