Skillshare is an online platform that offers over 32,000 video courses. It's ideal for homeschool families looking for affordable electives and project-based learning.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
What is Skillshare?
Skillshare started in 2010 and is an online learning community. It gives you access to over 32,000 video courses taught by professionals. Unlike traditional platforms, Skillshare focuses on project-based learning. Most classes are about an hour long. You can explore creative arts, business, and personal development courses. For homeschool families, it's a great option for electives. One subscription covers unlimited courses for everyone in the family.
How homeschoolers use Skillshare
Many homeschool families turn to Skillshare for electives. Parents might not feel qualified to teach complex subjects like graphic design or animation. Skillshare offers professional-level instruction in these areas. Some families assign one course each term for credit, while others use it to enhance core subjects. The project-based approach means students create real work, like art portfolios or edited videos, instead of just watching.
Course categories worth exploring
Skillshare shines in creative subjects. There are over 6,800 courses in art, design, and animation. Photography and video production courses help students build media skills. The business section covers entrepreneurship and marketing, which is great for teens interested in starting their own projects. There are also personal development courses, but they tend to focus more on adult skills than those for younger students.
Considerations before subscribing
Skillshare suits older students who can learn independently. Younger kids might lose interest without more hands-on activities. Course quality can vary since anyone can teach. It's wise to preview classes first. Some advanced courses need expensive software or art supplies, so keep that in mind. Also, the courses aren’t accredited. Students get a certificate, but it’s not a recognized qualification. Skillshare now requires an annual subscription; monthly options ended in 2025.
The bottom line
Skillshare offers homeschool families a cost-effective way to access high-quality instruction in creative subjects. For families wanting good elective options—especially in art and media—it’s a valuable resource. It's best used as a supplement to core studies, especially for self-directed middle and high schoolers. At about $14 a month for unlimited family use, it's worth considering if you're looking for creative electives.
