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Discovering thehomeschoolmom

Learn about TheHomeSchoolMom, a key resource for homeschooling families, offering invaluable support and information.
Lisa Thorsen
Written byLisa Thorsen
3 min read
Key takeaways
  • TheHomeSchoolMom, founded in 2001 by Mary Ann Kelley, is an essential resource for new homeschoolers, offering state-specific law guides, local support directories, and thousands of honest curriculum reviews
  • This comprehensive site simplifies the homeschooling process and helps families connect with community resources, making it a valuable tool for those just starting out.

TheHomeSchoolMom is a long-standing resource for homeschooling families. Founded in 2001, it offers guidance, local support, and curriculum reviews to aid both new and experienced homeschoolers.

A peer-reviewed study published in Peabody Journal of Education found that homeschooled children are typically well-adjusted socially and score above average on measures of social skills, emotional development, and daily living skills (Richard Medlin, 2013). 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 thehomeschoolmom?

TheHomeSchoolMom is one of the oldest homeschool resource websites in the U.S. It started in 2001, thanks to veteran homeschooler Mary Ann Kelley. This site connects families with resources, info, and support, no matter their educational style. After over 20 years, it’s a trusted spot for both newbies and seasoned homeschoolers seeking practical advice and reliable resources.

State law guides

A standout feature of TheHomeSchoolMom is its state-by-state homeschool law database. Each state page lays out notification rules, testing needs, attendance tracking, and legal details. This is super helpful for families just starting out or moving to a new state. These guides make the confusing homeschool laws easier to understand.

Local support resources

TheHomeSchoolMom also has a huge local support directory organized by state and city. Families can find homeschool co-ops, support groups, places for field trips, sports, and arts in their area. This local focus helps new homeschoolers tackle a common worry: finding community and social opportunities for their kids.

Curriculum reviews

The site features thousands of curriculum reviews written by real homeschool parents. Unlike publisher descriptions, these reviews share honest insights on what worked and what didn’t, plus which learners each curriculum suits best. TheHomeSchoolMom also offers curated lesson plans and free educational resources for grades K-12, sorted by subject.

The bottom line

TheHomeSchoolMom is a go-to resource for homeschool families at any stage. Its mix of state law info, local resource directories, and honest curriculum reviews is especially useful for those just starting out. While it mainly serves as a resource directory, its wealth of free information makes it a must-have for your homeschool planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lisa Thorsen
Written by
Lisa Thorsen

Co-founder, BetterSchool

Lisa is the co-founder of BetterSchool and a homeschool mom of three. BetterSchool administers the largest independent homeschool community in the country — over 350,000 families across all 50 states.

When COVID hit, Lisa and her husband pulled their children out of school and hit the road. Homeschooling wasn't the plan — it was a necessity. But somewhere along the way, the family fell in love with it: the time together, the ability to tailor lessons to each child's interests, learning at their own pace, the freedom to travel, eating healthy on their own schedule, and the countless other benefits that come with homeschooling.

As they traveled, Lisa kept discovering incredible hands-on learning experiences that most homeschool families had no way of finding. She built BetterSchool to make it easy for every family to find and book the experiences that make learning come alive.

Through her community, Lisa has helped hundreds of thousands of parents navigate homeschooling, while also helping local businesses find and serve the homeschool community. She is the former managing partner of a law firm focused on business law and mergers and acquisitions — BetterSchool is her second technology startup. She holds a J.D. from California Western School of Law and a B.A. from Penn State.

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Table of Contents

  • What is thehomeschoolmom?
  • State law guides
  • Local support resources
  • Curriculum reviews
  • The bottom line
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