Homeschooling is a statutory right under Section 12 of the BC School Act.  You don’t need permission nor do you need to explain your reasoning or share your learning plans.

As per Section 13 of the BC School Act, you are required to register your intent to homeschool at the time that you opt out of the school system and each year thereafter by September 30th if your child is between the ages of 6 and 16. Public schools must process registrations; independent schools may choose whether to accept homeschoolers.

Your requirement to provide an educational program is set out in Section 12 of the BC School Act. An educational program, as defined, is an organized set of learning activities designed to help your child:

• Become literate
• Develop their individual potential
• Acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to contribute to society and the economy

When homeschooling, you, as the parent, are the authority who decides what those learning activities are.

You have chosen to opt out of the school system. This means you take full responsibility for your child’s education. You are not enrolling in a school, and the school system has no authority over your program. You simply declare your intent to homeschool to meet the legal registration requirements.

How to Register:

• Email a public school of your choice (or one of the willing independent schools).
• Inform them that you will be educating your child at home and ask them to register your child as homeschooled.
• Include your child’s legal name, date of birth, and PEN (if you have it).
• Be prepared to provide proof of residency.

Deschooling is the transition period from school-based learning to homeschooling.

It often involves stepping away from formal academics and allowing time to reset routines, expectations, and attitudes about learning. This can take a few weeks or several months, depending on your child and your situation.

During this time, focus on:

• Rest and decompression
• Rebuilding curiosity and motivation
• Rethinking what learning can look like at home

Deschooling helps both parents and children move away from the structure of school and begin to build a more natural, home-based approach to education.

Connecting with other homeschoolers is one of the most helpful things you can do.

Local groups give you the chance to:

• Meet experienced homeschoolers
• Ask questions and share ideas
• Learn about different approaches, resources, and routines
• Build friendships and support for both you and your child

Start by finding a local homeschool support group in your area. If one doesn’t exist, consider starting one — a few families meeting regularly at a park or over coffee can grow into a strong community.

You can also connect with homeschoolers across BC through online groups:

• • BC Homeschoolers / Section 12/13 Registered Homeschoolers
  • BC Homeschoolers and Online Learners

Homeschoolers in BC are not required to follow the BC curriculum or prescribed learning outcomes. You choose what and how your child learns.

Examples of learning resources are:

• Homeschooling curriculum packages (designed for home use, often simpler, flexible, and adaptable)
• Workbooks or textbooks
• Online programs and courseware
• Library books and documentaries
• Real-life experiences and everyday learning

Some families rely on structured curriculum, others use none, and most use a mix that evolves over time.

You do not need to buy everything at once! Start simple and adjust as you learn what works for your child.

You can find used materials through local homeschool buy-and-sell groups, community groups, and online marketplaces.

Homeschooling brings additional opportunities for teens. It allows them to earn school credits, prepare for post-secondary education, or focus on personal interests and practical skills. Homeschooling offers flexibility in pace, content, and learning method, so each teen’s education can be tailored to their needs.

• Registered homeschoolers can take individual courses through public and independent online learning schools to earn credits or to explore subjects of interest while keeping their homeschooled status. They are not required to take the pre-requisite courses. The credits will be placed on a BC transcript. A homeschooler could potentially earn a High School Graduation Diploma this way. Contact the online school providing your prefered course to discuss course readiness and how to sign up (cross-enrol) while maintaining a homeschooled status. Online Learning Schools and Courses.
• Adult Graduation Diplomas are also available by taking particular courses for 20 credits. Three of those courses must be completed after the teen turns 18.
• The BC high school courses are available for free to all school-aged and adult BC residents. A homeschooler’s decision today is not set in stone.
• Homeschoolers can audit courses (not for credit) through the local physical school if they are unavailable through online learning. There will need to be space in the school — regular students are first in line to all in-person classes.
• Teens who find traditional high school overwhelming or are not planning post-secondary can focus on personal interests, life skills, or practical learning. Learning can include part-time online courses, apprenticeships, volunteer work, arts, trades, or community projects.

Many families combine homeschooling with online courses, part-time programs, or community learning. This allows teens to explore subjects not easily done at home, earn credits if desired, or focus on personal interests, life skills, and practical experiences.

Keeping simple records of what your teen does (courses, projects, reading, or apprenticeships) can help with future planning, whether for work, post-secondary, or personal goals. Post-secondary institutions have multiple entry options for learners without traditional transcripts, including mature student streams that sometimes start as early as age 16.