Prisma is the world’s most engaging virtual school that combines a fun, real-world curriculum with powerful mentorship from experienced coaches and a supportive peer community
The pandemic brought so many marginal words into mainstream vocabulary, like quarantine, PPE and sourdough. But for parents of school-age kids, one word had the biggest impact on every-day life: homeschooling.
As physical classrooms closed their doors, families woke up to find this once-distant concept sitting at their dining room table (and asking for snacks).
But homeschooling is not literally attending traditional school from home. Instead, during the shutdown most families experienced remote schooling, as curriculum and instruction continued to come from the school their child once attended in-person.
So, how does homeschooling work?
There are so many forms of home education, as long as you follow the homeschooling laws in your state. (For information about homeschool requirements, check out this resource.) Some families take a parent-driven approach while others are child-directed, allowing kids to manage their own education, a philosophy known as ”unschooling.” Others choose a full-service option that provides curriculum, assessment, teacher support and community. Another popular approach is to form a small homeschool group, often structured as a co-op, where several families team up to create a mini-school of their own.
Because it’s personal by definition, there’s no singular roadmap to a successful homeschool experience. But here are the top ten tips we’ve gathered from conversations with over 100 homeschool families.
When stepping away from the traditional classroom, a natural instinct can be to recreate the learning environment we all know: separate periods for math, science, reading, social studies and arts. But for more than 100 years, the traditional school model has kept individual subjects penned up – to the detriment of students.
While reforming the entire public education system could well take another 100 years, your homeschool experience can center the kind of interdisciplinary learning designed to meet real-world challenges. At Prisma, we believe in teaching kids for a future that will require them to access knowledge and skills from across a spectrum of subjects by fostering their interdisciplinary fluency with hands-on projects. Combine science and English Language arts by having your child write a science fiction story based on scientific research. Or, combine social studies and technology by having your child code an animation about a historical event - then take a field trip to the places they researched.
Whether you’ve got a budding naturalist, a programmer-in-training or a future poet laureate, homeschooling offers the gift to tailor learning around your child’s interests. A rigid teaching style often backfires, making kids resistant not just to that subject – but to learning in general. Self-directed children take ownership of their work, kick-starting a virtuous cycle that unlocks a love of learning. Not to mention, their experience with independent study means they develop comfort tackling problems on their own, rather than letting a grownup dictate their next step. Prisma learners have written their own novels, created popular public art installations, and become professional water skiers, before even starting high school.
There’s no “advanced” or “behind” in homeschool, no test scores governing the resources they can access. There’s just where your kid is today. Don’t constrain them to a grade level. If you don’t know your child’s level in a given subject area, start the school year with an assessment tool to get a baseline. (We like this one, from nonprofit NWEA.)
Once you have a starting point, let them move their own pace, the speed dictated by their learning style. Compared to a traditional classroom where focused learning is a mere fraction of the six-hour public school day, a homeschool schedule can be incredibly efficient. That means your child can zoom through the easy parts of their coursework until they get somewhere exciting – and linger on the subjects that don’t come as quickly, without the anxiety of being “delayed” or the pressure to get “ahead.”
One of the fastest ways to start traditional homeschooling is to buy a prepackaged curriculum. But if you want to customize your child’s learning to their interests and abilities, take advantage of the innovative learning resources that are freely available on the web. Youtube offers expert how-tos, and Pinterest is chock full of creative inspiration for projects. Curating a homeschool curriculum takes work, and that’s one of the benefits we offer at Prisma: a professionally developed learning framework enriched with cutting-edge resources, vetted by experienced educators.
In a public school, organizing a field trip is a massive bureaucratic undertaking, bogged down with logistics, permission slips and chaperones. Few school districts have the resources to do the extensive hands-on projects that make kids more likely to enjoy, internalize and retain learning. But when you go to school at home, your child’s education isn’t constrained to the formal school setting: everything from the kitchen to the tool shed to the garden, can be a classroom – but so too can your local museums, watersheds and recycling centers.
Fostering connections within the community also provides another potential benefit for homeschooled kids: allowing them the opportunity to relate to other adult mentors. In public school, private school and charter schools, kids have interactions with a diversity of grownups, each of whom not only provide different subject expertise, but also perspectives, life experiences and problem-solving approaches. Look to your community for adults who can help your homeschooled children access different facets of their developing identity.
Recess – most kids’ favorite part of school – is often considered a break from “serious” learning. But studies have shown that play – running in nature, building forts, cooking – is essential for well-being. (It’s even been recognized by the United Nations as a fundamental right of every child). Since homeschoolers can be efficient in tackling their schoolwork, that leaves plenty of time for extracurricular activities as we as free, unstructured time – alone or with others – during which your child can tend to the serious work of fostering emotional wellness, executive functioning and social skills through play.
Socialization is more than just chatting in the cafeteria and picking teams for kickball. There’s a real value that comes from kids learning together, side by side: workshopping ideas, problem-solving and discovering their intellectual personality amongst peers. When kids have the opportunity to share feedback and debate perspectives, they do more than sharpen their ideas: They learn about compromise, collaboration and respect.
In addition to web-based resources such as writing workshops or debate groups, your community may offer homeschool programs, like a math club, outdoor learning, or rock band. You could also consider joining a co-op, where a group of homeschooled students pool resources and support one another’s learning.
No parent wants to see their child struggle. It can take a biological override to sit on your hands while they flail in search of a solution. But the grit, stamina and resilience that comes as a result of that search is by far the greater gift, says Dr. Carol Dweck, the preeminent psychologist who popularized the concept of the growth mindset.
The growth mindset should be a centerpiece in any homeschool framework: If you teach your kids that they aren’t limited by their inborn skills, you’ll have laid the foundation for a life where “failure” is the feedback that leads to even greater successes. If you’re looking for resources, activities and further reading on fostering a growth mindset, check these out.
Screen time has become everyone’s favorite boogeyman, with some educators and physicians issuing blanket warnings against the evils of excess technology. However, recent studies have challenged these assumptions, showing the potential benefits associated with technology usage, including the development of stronger friendships.
More to the point, not all screen time is created equally. There’s a difference between passive consumption of low-quality content and active engagement with well-designed educational technology. Today’s leading apps, like the reading coach Ello, use artificial intelligence to adapt to the ability of the child, allowing them to progress at a steady pace – without heavy parental involvement.
With so many moving parts, homeschooling can be a heavy lift on parents. It’s labor intensive to curate curriculum, vet online resources, cultivate social networks, and connect to the community. Once these resources are in place, homeschooling parents still need to adapt them so that they meet a child’s ever-changing social, emotional and intellectual needs. Add to that the challenges of teaching your own children. Without a strong support network, healthy boundaries and a well defined plan, it’s easy for the stresses of homeschooling to lead to caregiver burnout.
For families that want the benefits of homeschooling without many of the downsides, enrollment in a home-based service like Prisma provides the interdisciplinary hands-on framework, coaching, built-in community and record keeping. That saves parents the work of becoming overnight experts – and lets kids get to the “hard fun” of learning.
Want to learn more about how Prisma can empower your child to thrive?
Talk with usWith adolescent mental health in crisis, here’s how to support your high school student’s well-being.
At its core, creativity is the expression of our most essential human qualities: our curiosity, our inventiveness, and our desire to explore the unknown.
The concept of critical thinking can seem vast and abstract. But one of the most meaningful ways you can start to tackle it is by rethinking the role of the teacher.
Imagine your child exploring new countries, meeting people from different cultures, and gaining a deep understanding of the world in a way that simply isn't possible in traditional education.
Unstick your child’s creativity, stretch their thinking, and improve their writing skills with topics that tap into their passions.
I never expected to find a family within my child’s school, but the leadership, teachers, parents and kids have become friends for life
Homeschooling can be overwhelming for parents. Here's how to recognize the signs of burnout & concrete solutions.
What’s behind your child’s complaint — and what to do about it.
If building social skills has been a bumpy road for your kid, here’s how to help them form healthy friendships.
The homeschool day can be quite efficient, compared to a typical public school day. Then, their school work completed, kids have plenty of time for extracurriculars, hobbies, unstructured play and generally... fun.
Possibly. But here’s what to do first.
To instill life-long healthy eating habits, take a hands-on approach
Distance learning doesn’t have to be a drag. Here’s how Prisma creates a community-centered online learning environment.
Distance learning is gaining popularity. Here’s what you need to know about online learning for high school students.
A bridge into high school, middle school is the time to prepare for independent learning. Here’s how to set the stage.
ADHD is only one reason for a short attention span. Find the cause, then try these tips for helping your child focus.
There’s no roadmap to develop a true passion — but here are ways to make the journey more fruitful.
Kristen Shroff is an experienced educational leader who has been with Prisma from the very beginning, first as a Founding Curriculum Designer & then as Head of School. Now, as CEO, she will lead Prisma into its next stage of growth.
Meet Claire Cummings, our Head of Middle School. Claire started out as a beloved Learning Coach in our middle school program before transitioning to the Head of School role in January 2023! She is based in Detroit, Michigan.
From making a meal to balancing a budget, here’s how to help teens learn to thrive in the real world.
In our Meet the Team blog series, you’ll get to read more about the innovative thinkers behind Prisma. Next up is Emily Veno, one of Prisma's Founding Curriculum Designers. After two years focused on building Prisma's middle school curriculum, in her new role as Head of Learning Innovation she works across both the middle & high school programs.
In our Meet the Team blog series, you’ll get to read more about the innovative thinkers behind Prisma. Next up is Leena Williams, the Lead Coach & Curriculum Designer in our new high school program.
Get to the bottom of your child’s apathy and help them find their ‘why.’
At Prisma, we believe the families and learners who like to call themselves Prismarians—are our ‘secret sauce’! Here we highlight one of our favorite stories from the Prisma community
From national parks to beach vacations, design an in-the-field learning experience the whole family will enjoy
Online learning takes many forms. Decide why you want to go remote — and the rest will fall into place.
Here’s how parents of ADHD children can set themselves up for successful learning at home.
Online learning doesn’t have to be distracting. These tips can prime your child to thrive at home.
From early childhood through high school, homeschooling provides the ideal setting to facilitate a gifted child’s learning. Here’s how.
And how can you support them in the classroom?
From fostering a love of learning to developing problem-solving skills, child-initiated learning is a pillar of a successful homeschooling journey. Here’s how to get started.
Focus on number sense and you’ll help your child add math skills to their toolkit.
Combine fun with a pinch of self-discipline, and you’ll be well on your way to a wellness routine your child wants to follow.
Kids need to develop their own world as they mature. But the stereotype of the zip-lipped pre-teen doesn’t have to be your reality.
It’s not easy to juggle full-time work and homeschooling — but it is possible. Here’s what we’ve learned about how to thrive.
Learning languages opens doors, offers connections and inspires new ways of thinking. Here’s some advice about which one(s) to pick.
Critical thinking matters for academics, work and relationships. Here’s how to lay the foundations at home.
Read about the hands-on learning opportunities one Prisma high schooler tackled in the Secrets of the Biosphere theme
Creative thinking is the key to problem-solving. Here’s how to foster creativity at home.
Traditional four-year college is only one option. Here’s how to inform your decision.
The Montessori approach focuses on early childhood. Here’s how the popular pedagogical method can lend itself to home-based learning for all ages.
Here’s what parents need to know about the popular social media network.
Here’s what every parent should know about facilitating a routine that works for the whole family.
Hands-on learning benefits all students. Here’s how to incorporate it into your homeschooling.
There’s no evidence to confirm the validity of these popular labels. But here’s how auditory learning strategies can benefit everyone.
Although no studies link these popular labels to academic achievement, here’s how visual learning helps everyone.
Here’s what parents need to know about the free, popular chat app.
Incorporate these reading tips into your routine, and you’ll be on your way to fostering a love of reading in your child.
Ready to Deck the Halls? Here are projects to engage kids of all ages—and tackle your seasonal shopping with DIY keepsakes.
More than just asking questions in the classroom, the Socratic Method helps learners test their own ideas in a real-life context.
Here are some guidelines to help sift through the infinite options.
When students set the conditions of their learning experience, they show more creativity, passion and sticktuitiveness.
With built-in lesson plans, educational tools, and endless problem-solving opportunities, Minecraft: Education Edition can help motivate kids in coding, science, language arts, and more.
Get into the spirit of gratitude with these easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids.
Teach children gratitude and they’ll experience better mental health, well being and social connection.
8 tips to ensure learning disabilities don’t get in the way of building reading skills.
Why does your child dread Mondays? Once you know, take these steps to help them (re)discover their spark.
To stop bullying behavior, educate yourselves and your children.
Bullying is about a power dynamic between peers. To interrupt it, first understand why it happens.
Children’s Mental Health is in Crisis. Here’s How to Help Develop Your Child’s Self-Esteem.
To reach their high potential, twice-exceptional children benefit from a flexible learning environment.
The holiday season is the time to get your hands dirty with these Halloween craft ideas - candy corn optional.
Dyslexic kids often lose their love of learning. Here’s how parents can help them rediscover it.
The challenges of adolescence can be magnified for LGBTQ kids. Here’s how to help them thrive.
From bullying to finding a safe bathroom, LGBTQ students navigate a tough landscape at school.
What we know about the relationship between ‘hard fun’ and learning. (Hint: It’s not about playing games in between worksheets.)
Here’s what we mean by ‘success’ at Prisma - and how we use it to help kids thrive.
What parents need to know about socialization in—and out of—the classroom to help your homeschooler thrive.
Child entrepreneurship is trending. Here are three steps to developing an innovative business that stands out from the crowd.
A hands-on approach to develop real-world skills, resiliency and a love of learning — here’s how we practice it at Prisma.
A Shared Name and Diverse Strengths Led Two Bens to Build an AI Writing Business.
When traditional public school isn’t the best option, consider these alternatives.
Five ways parents can help their kids see themselves as a work in progress.
Gifted kids face unique challenges when it comes to burnout. Here’s how parents can help.
For travel-hungry families dreaming of school vacation, there’s much to celebrate about shifts in the way we live, work and educate our children.
To create a customized education for your child takes more than a checklist. This three-stage framework can help you get started.
If you’re homeschool-curious, here’s what 100 families have to say about the biggest advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling.
Learning how to use the internet safely, smartly, and creatively is one of the most essential skills for success in our hyper-connected world. Prisma learners just wrapped up their Cyber Citizens learning
A live learning platform purpose-built for kids. It's a new, fun and engaging way for kids to learn and collaborate together virtually.
Technology has completely revolutionized how we shop, communicate, entertain ourselves, and even how we work, but no such revolution has happened in education.
We’ve officially wrapped up our first ever fall session at Prisma and are excited to share our learnings and observations with you.
Starting today, families can apply to join Prisma from anywhere in the USA. Here’s how it will work. You can still apply to any of our five founding cohort hubs (Chicago, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, or Tampa) if you live nearby.
Over the past week, as millions of parents have realized that traditional in-person schooling may not be safe or available come September, a new twist on an old phenomenon has emerged.
We're excited to announce the rollout of Prisma cohorts in 5 US cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tampa and Salt Lake City.
We’re Prisma, and today we’re announcing the world’s first Connected Learning Network, a whole new category in education. We’re not a school in the conventional sense; we’re a locally-rooted, globally connected at-home learning network that gives kids the tools to live their optimal life, starting today.
First-time Poet Wins “Games for Change Student Challenge” with “Poem of PvZ”.