Is Homeschool Pro an umbrella school?

No. Homeschool Pro is not an umbrella school, church school, or cover school.

Homeschool Pro is a K-12 homeschool curriculum. Families use it for online classes, instructor grading, Homeschool Advisor support, student records, transcripts, and other homeschooling services. Registering for Homeschool Pro does not enroll your student under an umbrella school.

What Is an Umbrella School?

In some states, an umbrella school is a private or church-related organization through which a family can register while continuing to teach the student at home. You may also hear these organizations called:

• Cover schools
• Church schools
• Umbrella programs
• Satellite schools

Depending on the organization and state, an umbrella school may help with enrollment paperwork, attendance reporting, academic records, testing requirements, transcripts, or other administrative responsibilities.

The exact meaning and responsibilities vary by state. For example, Tennessee officially recognizes church-related umbrella programs in which the parent continues teaching at home under the supervision and requirements of the church-related school.

Can I Use Homeschool Pro With an Umbrella School?

Yes. Homeschool Pro can be used alongside an umbrella school.

The umbrella school and Homeschool Pro would serve different purposes:

• The umbrella school may handle your family’s legal enrollment, reporting, oversight, or recordkeeping requirements.
• Homeschool Pro provides the curriculum, classes, instructional materials, grading, and homeschool support.

You can enroll directly with the umbrella school of your choice and let them know that your student will be using Homeschool Pro as their curriculum.

Important: Purchasing Homeschool Pro does not automatically enroll your student in an umbrella school. If your family wants to use an umbrella school, you must register with that organization separately.

Can I Use Homeschool Pro Without an Umbrella School?

Yes. Families can also use Homeschool Pro independently without joining an umbrella school, as long as they follow the homeschool requirements that apply where they live.

Many states do not use the umbrella-school model at all. In states where umbrella schools are available, they may be one option rather than the only way to homeschool. Tennessee, for example, distinguishes between independent homeschooling and enrollment through a church-related umbrella school.

Your family’s required steps may instead include filing directly with a school district or state agency, keeping your own records, or following another state-specific homeschool option.

Do I Need to Join an Umbrella School?

That depends on your state, the legal homeschooling option your family chooses, and whether you want the additional administrative services an umbrella school may provide.

An umbrella school may be helpful for a family that wants:

• Assistance with state or local reporting
• An organization to maintain certain school records
• Additional oversight or accountability
• Access to local activities or services
• A particular legal structure for homeschooling

Other families prefer to homeschool independently and manage the required forms and records themselves.

Before enrolling with an umbrella school, ask:

• What paperwork does the school handle?
• What records must the parent submit?
• Are there attendance or testing requirements?
• Can we choose our own curriculum?
• How are high school credits recorded?
• Who prepares transcripts and diplomas?
• What fees does the umbrella school charge?

Requirements can differ from one umbrella school to another, even within the same state.

Can My Homeschool Advisor Help?

Yes. Your Homeschool Advisor can help you understand whether umbrella schools are relevant in your state and explain the homeschool options and forms that may apply to your family.

If you decide to join an umbrella school, you will still need to select and enroll with that organization directly. Homeschool Pro does not choose an umbrella school for you or complete the umbrella school’s enrollment process on its behalf.

When contacting your advisor, include:

• Your state
• Your student’s age and grade level
• Whether the student currently attends public or private school
• The name of the umbrella school you are considering, if applicable
• Any forms or instructions you have received

Your advisor can also help you organize Homeschool Pro coursework and records around the requirements provided by the umbrella school.

The Bottom Line

Homeschool Pro is a homeschool curriculum, not an umbrella, church, or cover school.

You can use Homeschool Pro:

• Independently as your primary homeschool curriculum
• Alongside an umbrella school
• As a supplement to another curriculum or educational program

If your family chooses to use an umbrella school, enroll with that organization separately and continue using Homeschool Pro for your student’s curriculum and educational support.