How Long Does Homeschooling Take?

Written By: The Good and the Beautiful Published On:

Wondering how long homeschooling takes each day? Learn why homeschooling often takes less time than traditional school days in this article and video where Jenny Phillips discusses the findings of a recent homeschooling survey about how much time families spend homeschooling.

3 Common Questions Parents Ask About How Much Time It Takes to Homeschool:

  • How long does homeschooling actually take?
  • How do homeschoolers get everything done in such little time?
  • Is homeschooling academically effective if you’re getting schoolwork done quickly?

One of the things I have loved most about homeschooling is the extra time that my children and I have because we get our learning done so quickly. In this video I'm going to answer these questions: How long does homeschooling actually take? How do homeschoolers get everything done in such little time? And is it academically effective if you’re getting schoolwork done quickly? 

How much time do families spend homeschooling per day?

We recently did an Instagram survey with just over 5,000 families who homeschool with The Good and the Beautiful homeschool curriculum. Eighty-one percent of the families homeschool three hours or less a day and  96% of the families homeschool four hours or less a day. And get this: Many homeschoolers take Fridays off for field trips or hobbies or just for unstructured play.

A school-aged girl sitting at a table with her mom glueing an activity for her Language Arts lesson | The Good and the Beautiful

Does that blow your mind? Most kids attend public school for six and a half hours a day. And it's even longer if you include the door-to-door time from when a child leaves for school until they get back home.

  • A child stepping onto a school bus | The Good and the Beautiful
  • A classroom of children all sitting at desks and raising their hands | The Good and the Beautiful

Sometimes people say they don't have time to homeschool. But the three and a half hours I often spend formally homeschooling a day is almost equal to the time I would have previously spent before homeschooling—helping with homework, driving to and from school, volunteering, and just staying involved with my children's education and reviewing what they are learning.

Daily time spent homeschooling

  • 81% spend < 3 hours
  • 96% spend < 4 hours
  • Many reserve one day per week for field trips, hobbies, or unstructured play

Results of a recent Instagram survey of families who homeschool with The Good and the Beautiful

Daily time spent in public school

  • 6 ½ hours in school
  • Plus transport time
  • Plus homework and review

Based on traditional public school structure.

Why can homeschoolers get through so much learning so much faster? 

When comparing homeschooling time to other forms of education, you might wonder, "Is it enough?" Well, even though homeschoolers tend to spend significantly less time on formal schooling than public school children, homeschooled children tend to excel academically. 

According to the National Home Education Research Institute, home-educated students in the US typically score 15 to 25 percentile points above public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. 

How can homeschoolers spend less formal time learning, yet typically score higher than public school students on standardized tests?

Why is this true if homeschoolers spend less formal time learning? Well, homeschooling can be much more efficient and effective. 

Homeschooled children don't have to wait for a teacher to handle distractions or spend time on things they already know. Instead, they can move at their own pace: faster in subjects they understand easily and slower where they need extra time. Since the lessons are personalized and focused on the student, they learn more in less time. 

With all this considered, keep in mind that some states have laws about how many hours you are supposed to homeschool each week. 

Visit this website to help you find your state's requirements.

For fun electives and ideas to fill remaining homeschool hours with even more meaningful learning visit our Electives page. 

  • At The Good and the Beautiful, we do all we can to make homeschooling easier, more possible, more effective, and more joyful. Our award-winning language arts and math curriculums are open-and-go with no prep time needed. This helps parents have the time to homeschool while still taking care of their home and work responsibilities. The curriculum is also available completely free. 

  • A collage of course books from all subjects | The Good and the Beautiful
  • A collage of YouTube video covers by Jenny Phillips on a blue and white background | The Good and the Beautiful

  • If you are thinking about homeschooling, subscribe to our YouTube channel to find other short, helpful videos to help you on your journey and check out our free downloads in the link below.

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1 comment

Amber Williams

I agree with this. Go at your own pace. Find your own family rhythm. What works for you.I school multiple kids at the same time. It still takes less time than public school. I feel like the one on one helps get through all the subjects in better timing than a classroom setting.

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