Illinois Homeschool Legal Requirements
Illinois Homeschool Conferences and Conventions
Illinois homeschooling Classes and Co-ops
Other Illinois Homeschooling Events and Resources
Illinois Homeschooling Field Trips
Illinois Homeschooling Support Groups
Job opportunities for Illinois homeschool students
Educational resources about Illinois
Submit a homeschooling event, support group, class or job opportunity for homeschool students
Illinois Homeschool Legal Requirements
Homeschool Legal Advantage (HLA)
~ Free membership ~ TheHomeschoolMom has arranged for a special offer for our newsletter subscribers from Homeschool Legal Advantage. Through the generous contributions of several individual donors, Homeschool Legal Advantage is providing a code to subscribers of TheHomeSchoolMom newsletter for a complimentary first-year family membership (a $65 value!) in Homeschool Legal Advantage (offer applies to the first 500 people that sign-up for membership with our special code, which is mailed to you when you subscribe to our newsletter).
HLA is an outreach of the Christian Law Association. The CLA has faithfully served churches and families since 1969, and has successfully defended over 8,000 educational freedom related cases. Today, the Homeschool Legal Advantage team includes a large group of full-time attorneys and an additional 200+ affiliated attorneys throughout the United States. HLA stands ready to educate and empower Homeschoolers so that they can respond kindly and confidently to local officials when homeschooling questions arise. And, when direct attorney involvement or even legal representation is required to defend your right to homeschool, as a member of Homeschool Legal Advantage, you can rest assured that assistance from one of our experienced attorneys is only a phone call away! For more information, please visit http://www.HomeschoolLegalAdvantage.com
Illinois Homeschooling Laws
From HOUSE (Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience)
Illinois and Regional Homeschool Conferences and Conventions
2010 MidWest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati
April 8, 2010 - April 10, 2010
The HOMESCHOOL EVENT of the YEAR! Outstanding Speaker Roster includes Dr. Susan Wise Bauer, Jessie Wise, Doug Phillips, Cathy Duffy, Andrew Pudewa, Catherine Levinson, Douglas & Nancy Wilson, Jim Weiss, Amanda Bennett, Attorney David Gibbs and more! 220+ Seminar & Workshop sessions including a WORLDVIEW Teen Track led by John Stonestreet & Dr. Jeff Myers. HUGE Exhibit Hall with 200+ Exhibitors. Optional Childrens Program. Extremely affordable! Homeschoolers attend from 20+ states! For more information, please visit http://www.CincinnatiHomeschoolConvention.com
Cincinnati
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Other Illinois homeschooling events and resources
Homeschool Gymnastics
2nd Friday of the Month Open Gym
Dupage/Kane County
Illinois Homeschooling
Helpful Information, Links & Tips for Homeschoolers in Illinois
Statewide
Homeschool hiking/biking annual event
May 23, 2010 - May 29, 2010
The homeschool hiking/biking annual event began in May 2005 as a way to gain recognition for homeschooling as well as getting some exercise, group involvement, and introducing homeschoolers and their families to hiking and biking in the great outdoors!! It is an annual event now and will be held each year the last full week in May all across the United States. We are asking for individuals and groups involved in homeschooling to set up events in their areas. If you would like to set up a group event in your area, please send your name, email address, phone, city and state to me at: homeschoolhikebike@hotmail.com
Illinois Homeschooling Co-ops
Christian Family Educational Co-op
A group of Christian homeschooling families that have joined together in an Educational Co-op to help each other add to the Home School experience. The purpose the Christian Family Educational Co-op (CFEC), is to provide home education families an opportunity to enrich their children's academic curriculum and social experience within the context of a Christian-based, co-operative organization.
Crossroads In Education
A homeschool study and support cooperative.
Crossroads is open to high school age homeschoolers and their parents. Group size is limited to 15. For the 2005-2006 year, the study group plans to offer classes in Science, Language Arts, Spanish and Visual Arts. In the spirit of creating an experience where the children are afforded an opportunity to get to know one another well, participating in all four subjects will be required to be in the group.
Champaign / Urbana
Christian Homeschool Connection
We have a new co-op family center opening this fall 2008. Infants-12th gade. Inter-denominational group coming together once a week to give our children the opportunities that lend themselves to learning in a group setting.
Chicago, IL
Phenomenal Homeschool
Homeschool Co-op for Special Needs
Elgin, St. Charles, Algonquin,
Christian Workshops of the Fox Valley - Homeschool Co-op
If you are looking for enrichment classes to add to your homeschool, CWF may be what you are looking for. Christian Workshops of the Fox Valley is a co-op of families that meet on Mondays at Grace Evangelical Church in Elgin. A wide variety of classes are offered for nursery age through high school. Reasonable tuition makes CWF an affordable co-op choice. CWF is currently interviewing interested families to fill slots in their upcoming semester schedule. For more information contact Susan Russell at rruss6868@comcast.net.
Near West Suburbs of Chicago
The Community Co-op for Near West Homeschoolers
New not for profit corporation, offering a once a week day of enrichment classes in a community environment for families.
Illinois Homeschooling Classes
Masterpiece Art Instruction
Various homeschool art classes and summer camps
Barrington, Lake Zurich, Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Dundee
Fun with Phonics
Teaching children to become excellent readers while having fun! A unique phonics reading program specifically designed for your pre-k or school-age child. Children learn to read by singing while learning their sounds of the alphabet, hopping on letters to form words, painting words and forming words out of play-doh. This program enables your child to learn his or her sounds as well as recognize and become familiar with short vowel word families. Level 2 students will be learning blends and long vowels. They will play board games, build better writing skills in a creative way, and increase their fluency. There is no greater gift you can give your child than the gift of learning to read. Email Miss Betty at readingbooks52@comcast.net for more information or to register for classes.
Elgin
Horse Summer Self Esteem Group for girls ages 9-12
A fun and supportive Self Esteem group for girls ages 9-12 involving horses!
This is a great after school support group for young girls ages 11-17, that focuses on building SELF ESTEEM, SELF IMAGE, and CONFIDENCE. All of our instructors are certified and have extensive experience in the field of Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning. They impart thier knowledge in a safe, constructive but fun environment.
Elgin, St. Charles, Algonquin,
Christian Workshops of the Fox Valley - Homeschool Co-op
If you are looking for enrichment classes to add to your homeschool, CWF may be what you are looking for. Christian Workshops of the Fox Valley is a co-op of families that meet on Mondays at Grace Evangelical Church in Elgin. A wide variety of classes are offered for nursery age through high school. Reasonable tuition makes CWF an affordable co-op choice. CWF is currently interviewing interested families to fill slots in their upcoming semester schedule. For more information contact Susan Russell at rruss6868@comcast.net.
Mt. Prospect
CHAMPs
September 8, 2008 - May 18, 2009
Christian Homeschool Arts & Music Programs
North Aurora
Gina's Studio
Previously homeschooled herself, Gina is a recent art school graduate offering private art lessons from her home in North Aurora. Lessons are structured to fit the needs of each individual student regardless of age or previous art experience. Gina's goal is to help all of her students foster a love for art and ultimately reach a level where they can sit down and draw anything that is placed in front of them whether that is a landscape, still life, portrait, etc.
St. Charles
Musical Theatre Classes
September 15, 2007 - December 31, 1969
Acting, Singing, Improv, Performances
Most recent homeschooling field trip listings for Illinois
Franklin Grove
Battle of Chaplin Creek
Sponsored by the Franklin Grove Area Historical Society & hosted by Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery. Needed are Civilian re-enactors to man the village stores, the blacksmith shop, the village jail, the schoolhouse, etc. We need Union and Confederate Infantry, Cavalry, Medical, (Artillery by invitation only). Check website for event held in June.
White Hall
White Hall Civil War Days
5th Annual White Hall Civil War Days "Our Battle of Shiloh" School day on Friday, battles on Saturday and Sunday. Spectators can stroll the camps and see period activities. Saturday morning Ladies Tea and our favorite event: blowing up the outhouse! Great Ball on Saturdy evening with refreshments and period music. Sutlers and reenactors contact us for more info. Come have a great time! October. Check website for details!
Aurora
SciTech Hands-On Museum
Come to SciTech, where science is an adventure! Play with our engaging exhibits while you explore our spacious and colorful museum. At SciTech we give our visitors an opportunity to explore science in a comfortable, family-friendly environment. Over 200 engaging, hands-on exhibits and daily science shows will intrigue and excite you and your family.
Decatur
Scovill Zoo
Scovill Zoo’s education programs offer opportunities designed to help animal lovers of all ages explore and discover the animal kingdom through unique and innovative experiences. From our Zoo Academy to our Mobile Zoo, our education programs provide fun, hands-on connections to the animal world. While you are here, take a spin on Scovill Zoo’s beautiful Endangered Species Carousel! Specially designed for Scovill Zoo, the carousel is unique to Central Illinois. It features 30 colorful, hand-carved wooden animals, representing protected and endangered species from across the globe.
Chicago
Sears Tower Skydeck
The 99th floor Skydeck offers spectacular views spanning up to 50 miles and 4 states! Explore Chicago top to bottom......and from yesterday to today. Voted one of the 7 Wonders of Chicago by Chicago Tribune Readers. Chicago's most visited and highest observatory. You haven't seen Chicago until you've seen it from the Sears Tower Skydeck. The best view of Chicago and beyond from the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Interactive displays highlight the character and characters of this great city. Knee High attractions for kids.
Chicago
David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art
Located on the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus, the Smart Museum of Art houses a permanent collection of over 10,000 objects, spanning five millennia of both Western and Eastern civilizations. The scope of its permanent collections, combined with groundbreaking special exhibitions, a focus on research and teaching by University of Chicago scholars, and distinguished outreach and educational programs geared to both adults and school age children, make the Smart one of the Midwest's most dynamic and innovative educational institutions in the visual arts.
Chicago
Spertus
Spertus is a Jewish institution grounded in Jewish values that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the multi-faceted Jewish experience. Through its innovative public programming, exhibitions, collections, research facilities and degree programs, Spertus inspires learning, serves diverse communities and fosters understanding for Jews and people of all faiths, locally, regionally and around the world.
Springfield
Springfield Children's Museum
Located downtown, the center features a variety of exhibits on art, architecture, health, medicine, history, nature, and sciences in a hands-on environment.
See all Illinois field trip listings
Illinois Homeschool Support Groups
Illinois H.O.U.S.E.
H.O.U.S.E. (Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience) is a network of homeschool support groups whose purpose is to support families in exercising their right to homeschool regardless of age, color, creed, ethnic background, family composition, financial condition, gender, learning disabilities, race, religion or lack thereof, sexual preference, or special educational needs. H.O.U.S.E. is a non-sectarian homeschooling support group.
SCCCHE
St. Clair County Christian Home is intended to provide useful information to aid families in their endeavor to educate their children at home. Please contact us if you have any questions conerning home education.
Christian Home Educators Coalition
Christian Home Educators Coalition of Illinois is a state organization whose purpose is to preserve homeschooling liberties in the state of Illinois.
Illinois Homeschool Announce (ILHSannounce)
This list is for all Illinois homeschoolers, or those who are interested in homeschooling in Illinois.
This is to be an inclusive list, so while you may certainly identify your religious interests as it affects your home education program, we will not encourage comparative religion discussions.
This list is intended for announcements of area activities, field trips, speakers, group meetings, and legal information discussions.
Legislation information, whether local, State, or Federal, is requested although this list is not a source of legal advice. However, discussion of alerts from various sources is always encouraged.
Homeschool Dads in Central Illinois
This group will serve as a meeting place and information exchange for Central Illinois area homeschool Dads. Fathers who are considering homeschooling their children are welcome as well. Here, Fathers can discuss homeschool issues, ask questions, exchange ideas about curriculum, share activities and schedule get togethers.
Homeschooling in Illinois
Explore Homeschooling in Illinois
Crossroads Area Home School Association
CAHSA unites Central Illinois homeschoolers in the area where I-74, I-39, I-55 and IL-51 connect. This website is a resource for those who have chosen homeschooling as the best route for educating their children. Here they will find information about classes, activities, field trips, and communications with other homeschoolers in the area.
Association of Peoria Area Christian Home Educators
"Helping Parents Excel in Home Educating Their Children from a Christian Perspective". The vision of APACHE is threefold: To provide education and information to parents. To provide activities to assist parents in their efforts. To promote understanding and acceptance of home schooling as an excellent means of education. Some of APACHE's activities include: a monthly newsletter, annual convention and curriculum fair, library, choir, a track and field day, history fair, science fair, talent night, and smaller local support groups and parents' meetings.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace
Our group consists of practicing Catholic home schooling families. A primary purpose of the group is to build up the kingdom of God on earth by raising children who are strong in the practice and knowledge of their Catholic faith. We offer support and information to parents, and provide social, academic, and spiritual opportunities for our children.
Christian Family Educational Co-op
A group of Christian homeschooling families that have joined together in an Educational Co-op to help each other add to the Home School experience. The purpose the Christian Family Educational Co-op (CFEC), is to provide home education families an opportunity to enrich their children's academic curriculum and social experience within the context of a Christian-based, co-operative organization.
Grassroots Homeschoolers HOUSE
This non-profit organization exists for the purpose of nurturing your family in a non-denominatinal, non-sectarian capacity. We welcome all faiths, all abilities, and all educational styles. To the homeschooling community, we offer social opportunities, practical information, and learning adventures to be experienced by not only our members but the general public as well.
Mom's Home Room
Come and chat with other homeschooling moms! Share your homeschooling adventures, get some homeschooling advice, vent your homeschooling frustrations in a safe, friendly place. Have a field trip idea? A class idea? Want to meet for lunch? Share your ideas here on the list! This list is for informational purposes and sharing of ideas among are homeschooling moms. This list has members from all over the Chicago area and from many different religious backgrounds. Members also have different homeschooling philosophies. The common ground is homeschooling.
Westside HOUSE
Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience is an inclusive, non-sectarian network of homeschooling support groups. The Westside HOUSE chapter meets the second Friday of each month at the Forest Park Public Library (at the corner of Des Plaines and Jackson) between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. You and your children are welcome!
Decatur Area Homeschool Network
A network of homeschool information and available community resources for homeschooled students and families. With the mutual goal of providing the best education possible for their children, this group is meant to be a source of support and information for experienced and inexperienced homeschoolers alike.
Kaleidoscopes- Co-op
A homeschool co-op group.
Lake County H.O.U.S.E.
Home-Oriented Unique Schooling Experience Our mission is to provide non-sectarian and non-political support and information for homeschooling families as well as providing socialization and shared educational opportunities for our children. Lake County H.O.U.S.E. provides many clubs and field trip experiences organized by and for its members.
Off The Beaten Path
An inclusive support network of unschooling families. OTBP’s mission is to bring local unschooling families out of the woodwork and give them the opportunity to connect and support one another, both online and in person.
Peoria Area Homeschoolers
Enhancing the home education experience for homeschooling parent/guardians of all backgrounds in the Peoria area. PAH provides an opportunity for members to provide support, playdates, field trips, and networking opportunities to each other.
St. Clair & Madison County Homeschoolers
Exchange ideas, give links, support each other with curriculum, homeschool, general talk, scriptures or encouragment!
Crossroads In Education
A homeschool study and support cooperative.
Crossroads is open to high school age homeschoolers and their parents. Group size is limited to 15. For the 2005-2006 year, the study group plans to offer classes in Science, Language Arts, Spanish and Visual Arts. In the spirit of creating an experience where the children are afforded an opportunity to get to know one another well, participating in all four subjects will be required to be in the group.
Prairie State Homeschoolers
PSH is a nonsectarian inclusive Homeschool group. PSH provides support, park days, gym days, book discussion, story time, field trips, used book sales, a lending library and more.
Quad City Area Secular Homeschoolers
QCA Secular Homeschoolers is primarily geared toward families who are homeschooling
for reasons other than religion and who
are looking for an alternative to religious homeschool groups. Activity announcements, homeschooling related questions/stories/advice, event
planning and supportive emails are all
appropriate for the group. The QCA
Secular Homeschoolers group is not
limited to any one form/method of
homeschooling.
Queen of All Saints Home Educators
A group of Catholic Homeschooling families.
Schaumburg H.O.U.S.E.
A non-sectarian group of homeschoolers that support all educational philosophies and family lifestyles. We facilitate activities, classes, cultural events, and general gatherings to aid our children in making friends and being part of a larger community. Schaumburg H.O.U.S.E. is a chapter of Illinois H.O.U.S.E., the statewide organization (Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience).
Woodfield Area Learning Exchange
WALE, a chapter of IIllinois H.O.U.S.E.
(Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience)! We meet regularly to support all friends of homeschooling! Mad Math Mondays, Park Dates, FUN Excursions to area attractions, Accurate information through Illinois HOUSE and AdHoc on legal developments in our state, and updates on area happenings through our bulletin board chat on Yahoo! eGroups
MECHE - Metro East Catholic Home Educators
Support group of Catholic Homeschoolers living near Belleville, IL.
Riverbend Christian Home Educators Coalition
We are a Christian home school support group.We do not have a web site, but our newsletter is sent by email.
Illinois Classical Christian Homeschool
Classical Conversations Communities exist to complement your home-centered education and connect you with like-minded families. Each community is facilitated by a trained parent-director, and classes are led by trained parent-tutors who model the classical tools of learning. Tutors have the privilege of encouraging students toward becoming lifelong learners while also encouraging parents in the classical teaching of their children.
Classical Conversations values your time and commitment to quality classical Christian education for your family. We honor your desire to train your children in the way they should go.
Champaign / Urbana
Christian Homeschool Connection
We are a Christian support group. We are based out of Champaign, IL and encompass many other counties as well. We hold classes, field trips, support groups and with our web site we are able to provide a secure place to communicate with other members and create learning experiences for our children.
Champaign / Urbana
Christian Homeschool Connection
We have a new co-op family center opening this fall 2008. Infants-12th gade. Inter-denominational group coming together once a week to give our children the opportunities that lend themselves to learning in a group setting.
Chicago
National Parenting Education Network (NPEN)
The vision of the National Parenting Education Network (NPEN) is that all parents/families will have the information, resources and support needed to provide a nurturing relationship and an optimal environment that will encourage their children’s healthy growth and development.
Chicago
Holistic Learners Homeschool Group
Holistic Learners Homeschool Group is a non-directed support group made up of open-minded homeschoolers of all ages, that puts our children's education safely in our own hands. This group does not only focus on the academic portion of schooling, but teaching the whole child - mind, body and soul to create life long learners.
Chicago & Southwest Suburbs
Christian Home Educators of Southwest Chicagoland
Home Discipleship Focused support group
Chicago, IL
Phenomenal Homeschool
Homeschool Co-op for Special Needs
Decatur
MICAH
MICAH is a new, inclusive homeschooling group forming in the Central Illinois area. We offer an exciting slate of cooperative classes plus all the things you want in a support group.
We have a monthly newsletter, starting August 1st, containing details about MICAH activities such as field trips and special classes. MICAH members will enjoy: Field trips, Co-operative classes for K4-12th grade, Moms-only meetings, Family activities, School pictures, Homeschool ID, Book fair, Standardized testing, Private online groups for support and social networking, and small, specially arranged classes like horseback riding
DuPage, Cook, and Kane counties
The Prairie Connection for Christian Homeschoolers
The Prairie Connection is a non-profit support group serving the northern Illinois counties of DuPage, Cook, Kane and surrounding areas. Our mission is to provide support, information and encouragement to those who wish to homeschool. We meet several times each month, year-round, for fun and educational activities, clubs, functions and meetings. Membership is FREE! We are a Christian support group that welcomes all faiths (or lack thereof).
Kane/Dupage/McHenry
Holistic Learners Homeschool Group
Natural/Organic Living
Monee
Homeschool Resource Center
The Homeschool Resource Center exists to provide information, advice, encouragement, fellowship, and resources to Christian homeschooling families. The Center also conducts monthly meetings that include discussions on various subjects pertaining to the heart of homeschooling and home discipleship. There are also two co-ops, e-mail information loop, larger lending library, used curriculum, etc.
Naperville
Wild Indigo Life Learners
Wild Indigo Life Learners is made up of unschooling families who have chosen to be facilitators in the life learning journey of their children. We are based in the Naperville area yet draw from many communities in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We are currently planning field trips and other organized events on Wednesdays.
Naperville, Aurora, Joliet
Many Rivers Unschoolers
An all inclusive homeschooling group. We practice child-led learning, as opposed to following a set curriculum. We meet every Wednesday for an unstructured play group, and on other days for special field trips and special-interest groups. Our special-interest groups currently include anime club, science club, game day, gym day, fiber arts group, and parent’s night out. We also produce Undercurrents, our own journal of arts and literature, and participate in homeschool acting classes, swimming, and skating days.
Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois Homeschool Monthly
Monthly Newsletter
Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois Homeschool Monthly
Northern Illinois Homeschool Monthly is your news resource for Current Events, Field Trips, Co-op Classes, Private or Instructor Led Classes, Used/New Curriculum Sales, Groups, Conferences, Museum Discount Days, Nature Centers and so much more.
Streamwood
TEACH Tri-county Eclectic and Creative Homeschoolers of Illinois
TEACH is an all-inclusive, private, volunteer-run homeschooling group for families residing in the NW suburbs of Chicago, including Northwest Cook County, Northwest DuPage County, and Northern Kane county. TEACH supports many different homeschooling styles and offers educational opportunities, social activities and resources for our member families. We offer the following activities: Park Days, Open Gym, Monthly Bowling, Monthly Nature Hikes, Monthly Teen only activities for grade 6 and up, Parent Meetings, Reading Programs including Read to Succeed and Kane County Cougars, Field Trips, Service Projects, Yahoo Group with Group Calendar, Fall Kick Off Party, Winter Holiday Party, Valentine’s Party, End of Year Picnic, Ice Skating, and so much more!
Will and DuPage counties
Legacy Christian Co-op
Homeschool co-op meeting weekly
Will County
Homeschool Resource Center
support group
Job opportunites forIL homeschool students
Yorkville
Raging Waves Waterpark
Largest family waterpark in Illinois. Opening Summer 2008
http://www.ragingwaves.com
Thanks to graphicmaps.com for the state graphics