Roadschooling: What It Is and How to Do It

When most people think of homeschooling, they imagine a child sitting at a kitchen table with mom or dad tutoring them in all subjects. But there’s another option: roadschooling.

Also known as unschooling, this approach to education takes learning on the road, incorporating travel and real-world experiences into the curriculum.

If you’re considering roadschooling your child, here’s what you need to know.

What is Roadschooling?

Put simply, roadschooling is taking a child’s education on the road. The idea isn’t to take your child out of school and never teach them again. Rather, it’s about adding travel into the equation by visiting historic sites, museums, art galleries, and other places that might not otherwise be in the curriculum.

Roadschooling families often first explore their local area to see what learning opportunities might be available near home before hitting the road for more distant trips.

How Does Roadschooling Work?

When you roadschool, the curriculum is up to you. Some parents choose a specific subject and focus on that for a set amount of time during each trip – perhaps math or science when visiting a regional museum, for example. Others might combine learning with fun by taking an educational outing one day and then going to an amusement park the next.

Roadschooling can be done like traditional homeschooling – Mom or Dad takes charge of the lessons and guides their child through various concepts using textbooks, workbooks, and other resources. But it’s also possible to use roadschooling to give your children more autonomy over their education.

Is It Legal to Homeschool My Children on the Road?

Yes, it is! Laws vary by state and country, so check with your local education department to determine the regulations in your area. In general, many countries require that parents follow a specific curriculum or provide proof of their child’s progress annually. Some also specify how often children must be taught or how long trips must last to count as learning experiences.

It’s essential to check the legal requirements for homeschooling in your area before deciding whether or not roadschooling is an option for your family. Regardless of the laws in your area, roadschooling can still be a great option if you want to incorporate travel into your child’s education without giving up homeschooling altogether.

If I Roadschool My High School Students, Can I Create My Own Curriculum?

Yes, you can. Most laws that govern homeschooling stipulate that parents must provide proof of their children’s progress each year or follow a prescribed curriculum. But no rules specifically state how that curriculum must be designed or implemented. This means you will have the freedom to create your own materials based on your child’s interests and goals and roadschool as you see fit.

Of course, some families choose to roadschool because they feel the traditional school doesn’t work for their teens – due to learning challenges or other reasons – so it’s important to remember that roadschooling is not necessarily a magic solution for every family. But if you’re interested in exploring this type of education for your child, it’s worth looking into the laws in your area and trying roadschooling out for a season. It might just be the perfect learning experience for you and your family!

Roadschool Schedule

While there is no “right” way to create a roadschool schedule, it’s generally recommended that you plan your trips carefully and include plenty of time for learning and exploration. Some key elements to consider when creating your schedule include:

• The length and frequency of your trips – How long do you want each trip to last, and how often do you want to hit the road? Do you have any specific destinations in mind, or will you be traveling more broadly?
• Your child’s interests and goals – What topics are they interested in exploring, and what would they like to achieve over the course of their time on the road? Are there any particular fields or careers that interest them, and can those be incorporated into your roadschooling?
• Your family’s schedule – When are you most likely to have time for trips, and how much notice will you need in order to make travel plans? Is there a particular time of year that tends to work best for your family? And finally, what other activities do you typically do as a family outside the context of roadschooling (such as sports or hobbies)?

With these factors in mind, it can be helpful to create a rough draft schedule outlining the length and frequency of your trips, along with any key destinations or goals. You may then use this template as a starting point for planning more detailed lessons, activities, and outings for each trip.

Additionally, as you go through multiple seasons of roadschooling, you may find that your schedule evolves and changes over time. This is normal and expected, so feel free to adapt it as needed based on your family’s needs and preferences.

Roadschooling vs. Regular Education

The biggest difference between regular educational approaches and roadschooling lies in how students learn the material. In traditional schools, teachers lecture students on basic information and present assignments that must be completed within a set amount of time. The classroom environment can be challenging for many students, who often feel like they’re not getting enough time to express their ideas or process information in the best way for them.

By contrast, roadschooling takes a more learner-centered approach. The entire purpose of this type of education is to encourage students to learn through exploration and engagement with the world around them. Families may sometimes choose classes or programs at historic sites, museums, or other places of interest as part of their roadschooling curriculum.

At its core, however, Roadschooling emphasizes developing a child’s individual interests, talents, and capabilities rather than being limited by rigid educational standards and structures.

What are the Advantages of Roadschooling?

Roadschooling offers a number of benefits for both parents and children, including:

1. Flexibility and Freedom

One of the biggest benefits of roadschooling is the flexibility it offers. Since you are not bound by a set curriculum or classroom schedule, you can design your own lessons and activities that fit your child’s interests and learning goals. This gives parents (and children) a great deal of autonomy over their education, which can be very empowering for both learners.

2. Increased Opportunities for Learning Outdoors

Roadschooling naturally lends itself to many outdoor learning experiences, from exploring local parks and hiking trails to camping out under the stars or visiting national parks and other natural areas around the country. These activities have been shown to support brain development in children and help reduce stress levels and boost overall happiness.

3. Exposure to New Cultures, Places, and Perspectives

When you hit the road, your child will have many opportunities for cultural exchange that are not typically available in traditional classrooms. They can experience different languages, customs, and traditions first-hand, which is crucial for building empathy and global awareness.

4. Personalization of Learning Experiences

Roadschooling allows children to learn according to their interests and passions rather than following prescribed curriculum standards or expectations from teachers or parents. This can help instill a love of lifelong learning beyond the roadschooling context.

5. Increased Independence and Self-Reliance Skills

Since roadschooling often involves solo travel as well as group excursions and activities, children have many opportunities to develop confidence and self-reliance skills. They will learn how to navigate new environments on their own, ask for help when needed, and work through any challenges or difficulties that arise along the way.

This is an invaluable skill set for growing up, regardless of whether you continue with roadschooling into adulthood or not.

6. Reduced Stress

Because there is no set schedule to follow or classroom to attend, roadschooling can be much less stressful than traditional schooling. There is also typically more time built into trips for relaxation and enjoyment, which further reduces stress levels and helps your child stay engaged and motivated throughout their adventures on the road.

What are the Disadvantages of Roadschooling?

While there are many benefits to roadschooling, there are also some potential downsides that parents should be aware of. Some of these downsides include the following:

1. Potential Safety Hazards

Roadschooling may involve traveling to new and unfamiliar places, sometimes alone or with other children. This can create certain safety risks, particularly if children do not have adequate knowledge of how to navigate these environments on their own.

2. Limited Social Interaction Opportunities with Peers

Since roadschooling involves traveling away from traditional classrooms and other kids their age, it can be more challenging for kids to maintain meaningful social connections with peers during this time period.

Parents may need to make a special effort to plan activities that encourage peer interaction and relationships, such as joining local homeschooling groups or participating in online communities for roadschoolers.

3. Higher Overall Cost Than Traditional Schooling Options

While the flexibility of roadschooling may be appealing, this lifestyle’s increased travel and accommodation costs can add up quickly. Parents will need to carefully plan out their budgets to ensure that they have enough money for all their roadschooling needs, from transportation expenses to activities and entertainment.

4. Less Formal Structure and Routine

Roadschooling is often less structured than traditional schooling options, which can make it more challenging for parents who are used to a specific schedule or routine in their daily lives. This may require some adjustment on everyone’s part, as well as additional support from friends and family members if needed.

Final Thoughts!

Roadschooling has become a popular choice for parents who want to homeschool their children. The combination of homeschooling and road schooling offers families the flexibility they need while also providing an education that meets state standards. If you are interested in road schooling your high school students, it is important to understand the process and what is required.

Contact High School of America today for more information on how we can help you get started on this exciting journey!