At JCPL, we make every effort to help and encourage homeschool families. Librarians can guide you toward resources to support your homeschool curriculum. Programs, materials, and space for schoolwork are just a few options available at your local Branch.
The following websites can direct homeschool families to group support and other information:
Homeschool Programming at Your Library
Please consult our Calendar of Events for homeschool programs and registration at our branches.
JCPL branches regularly host a wide variety of programming for children from birth through teens. Homeschooling students are encouraged to attend. Please consult our Calendar of Events for topics, dates and age restrictions.
Homeschooling Requirements
Indiana requires you to provide 180 days of education equivalent to public school. Equivalency can and may show itself:
- In the course offerings and school subjects.
- Time spent in courses or subject areas.
- Skill development.
- Hands-on interaction with a teacher.
- Incremental, daily lessons (four days for alternate or five-day traditional schedule).
How to Get Started with Homeschooling:
- Explore the library collection - JCPL has a wide variety of titles on homeschool education.
- Learn the Indiana state standards on the Indiana Department of Education's Homeschool Information page. You can review state law and learn best practices. The standards are a guide for your educational program. They are not a curriculum in and of itself.
- Research teaching and educational styles - To understand schooling styles, see the introductory chapters in 101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy and The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Bauer and Jessie Wise. Schooling styles greatly influence curriculum choices and guide your selection process.
- Connect with local support groups and co-ops - Get support from those in your local community, such as the Indiana Association of Home Educators. The Home School Legal Defense Association provides information and support.
- Practice absolute commitment - Though it may feel like several months before you become settled and confident, successful homeschooling starts with absolute commitment and the continual desire to learn more about schooling styles, methods, and practical tips for success.
- Our Children's Librarians can help you obtain resources to assist with your homeschooling needs. Contact the Children's Services Department at your Library Branch for personalized assistance.
Homeschool Curricula at JCPL
Young Explorer Series
- Exploring Creation with Earth Science
- Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Exploring Creation with Zoology
Real Science 4 Kids:
Primary Mathematics
Primary Mathematics 4A (Trafalgar Branch)
Primary Mathematics 4B (Franklin Branch)
Primary Mathematics 5A (Clark Pleasant Branch)
Primary Mathematics 5B (White River Branch)
Life of Fred Elementary Series
Life of Fred Intermediate Series
Easy Grammar
Analytical Grammar (White River Branch)
Junior Analytical Grammar (Trafalgar Branch)
Junior Analytical Grammar: Mechanics (Franklin Branch)
WriteShop Primary (Clark Pleasant Branch)
- Book A: Teacher’s Guide
- Book B: Teacher’s Guide
- Book C: Teacher’s Guide
- Activity Set Worksheet Packs for A, B, & C
WriteShop Junior (Trafalgar Branch)
- Book D: Teacher’s Guide
- Book D: Student Worksheet Pack
- Book D: Fold-N-Go Grammar Pack
- Book D: Time-Saver Pack
History Quest: Early Times
History Quest: Middle Times
All About Reading Pre-Reading (Trafalgar Branch)
All About Reading Level 1 (Franklin Branch)
All About Reading Level 2 (Clark Pleasant Branch)
All About Reading Level 3 (Trafalgar Branch)
All About Reading Level 4 (White River Branch)
America the Beautiful (Trafalgar Branch)
- America the Beautiful V.1 & V. 2
- Timeline of America the Beautiful
- Maps of America the Beautiful
- We the People
- Answer key & literature guide
Our Fifty States (Clark Pleasant Branch)
Our Star- Spangled Story (Franklin Branch)
- Our Star-Spangled Story V.1 & V.2
- Answer key & literature guide
- A Star-Spangled Timeline
- Star-Spangled Rhythms and Rhymes
- My Star-Spangled student workbook
Math-U-See Primer (White River Branch)
Math-U-See Alpha (Franklin Branch)
Sonlight Science B Kit (Clark Pleasant Branch)
- Science Instructor’s Guide
- Discover & Do Science: 2nd Grade Experiments Paper Packet
- Level B Science Experiments book
- 8 Books: "Usborne Lift-the-flap Periodic Table", "Usborne World of Animals", "The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks", "The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth", "What is the World Made Of?", "DK Eye Wonder Plant", "DK Findout! Earth", and "Marie Curie’s Search for Radium"
Sonlight Language Arts Grade K Kit (Clark Pleasant Branch)
- Instructor’s Guide
- Grade K Readers
- Alphabet Sounds Bingo w/ bingo markers
- Go A-to-Z card game
- My First Picture Dictionary
Sonlight Language Arts Grade 1 Kit (Trafalgar Branch)
- Instructor’s Guide
- Letter & Word Bingo w/ bingo markers
- Go Blend card game
- 11 books: "Put Me in the Zoo", "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish", "The Cat in the Hat", "Green Eggs and Ham", "A Fly Went By", "A Big Ball of String", "The Best Trick", "I Can Read It Book 1", "I Can Read It Book 2", "I Can Read It Book 3", "I Can Read It Word List"
Sonlight Language Arts Grade 2 Kit (Franklin Branch)
- Instructor’s Guide
- 11 books: "Mouse Tales", "The Titanic Lost…And Found", "Owl at Home", "Frog and Toad Are Friends", "Frog and Toad All Year", "Frog and Toad Together", "Amelia Bedelia", "Pompeii…Buried Alive!", "Greg’s Microscope", "Nate the Great", and "The Beginner’s Bible"
