BECOME A MEMBER - HOW TO JOIN

We would be honored to have your family as members of our homeschooling organization. Below you will find our requirements for membership. Should you have any questions about membership with RCHSA please do not hesitate to contact us.

Requirements for Membership

1. You must have notified the Division of Non-Public Education of your intent to operate a homeschool.

If your child will be between the ages of 7 and 15 for any part of the upcoming school year (ending next June  30) you must do so to be in compliance with the law. The RCHSA Board expects each member homeschool  to operate within the legal limits of NC state law. We also expect that children educated in member homeschools are receiving proper academic instruction. You can contact the DNPE office at: NC Department of  Non-Public Education, 1309 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1309, by phone (919) 733-4276, or  website, www.ncdnpe.org.

Please note that NC Virtual Schools/Charters/Academies DO NOT qualify as homeschooling by state statutes and therefore we are unable to accept members who utilize these programs. [Read More Here…]

2. As a member you agree to read and adhere to the bylaws of RCHSA

3. A member must operate their homeschool in compliance with North Carolina law.

4. A member signifies agreement with the purpose and ideals of RCHSA.

5. RCHSA is made up of member families who benefit from the group activities. An ABSOLUTE condition of membership is that at least one parent in each family serve RCHSA in some capacity (waived for members in their first year of homeschooling). Members may pick from duties such as assisting during a field trips, working on the yearbook commitee, setting up and cleaning up after events, etc.

6. Currently the annual membership fee is $45 per family; $30 if renewal is paid before June 30th each year. New memberships are $30 per family for the current school year regardless of registration date (late fee does NOT apply to new members). Note: All New Member registrations performed before June 1st will only be valid for the current school year and will require renewal for the next school year beginning August 1st. New Member registrations performed AFTER June 1st will be valid for the remainder of the current school year and the following school year.

7. Graduation Participation Notice. In order to participate in RCHSA graduation excercises a family must have been an active member of RCHSA no later than October 1st of the graduating school year.

8. In order to use the RCHSA website you must agree to the site terms and privacy policies set herein.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

OFFLINE REGISTRATION

To apply for membership offline simply download the membership application below, complete it, and mail it to us with your membership payment.

STARTING HOMESCHOOLING

Deciding to homeschool doesn’t have to be overwhelming. RCHSA is here to help you in this journey from start to graduation. There are steps you must take to legally start your homeschool before joining RCHSA. Click the read more button to learn how to get started from the “North Carolinians for Home Education” (NCHE) website. Once you have started your official homeschool, joining RCHSA may be your next logical step to get all the support you need from local families.

Youthful girls with crayons drawing pictures while sitting by table in the kitchen with their mom on background

STATISTICS

Homeschooling in America continues to grow. As of March 2020 there are about 2.5 million homeschool students in grades K-12 in the United States (or 3% to 4% of school-age children). The homeschool population is continuing to grow at an estimated 2% to 8% per annum over the past few years. North Carolina is growing at an even greater rate of about 15% per year.

Boy and girl drawing chart on whiteboard in classroom

THE LAW

Is Homeschooling legal in North Carolina? The short answer is YES.

North Carolina law defines a “homeschool” as “a nonpublic school consisting of the children of not more than two families or households, where the parents or legal guardians or members of either household determine the scope and sequence of academic instruction, provide academic instruction, and determine additional sources of academic instruction.” (NC Bill 189).

WHAT WE OFFER

Our members will find support for social and educational opportunities which will enhance their curriculum and homeschooling experience.

Cute little girl in a blue apron. Child painting at home

WHO IS RCHSA

The Rowan County Home School Association (RCHSA) is a Christ-centered homeschool support group serving Rowan County North Carolina and surrounding areas. We offer our members the opportunity to participate in academic programs and social activities that strengthen and promote traditional family values.

WHAT IS HOMESCHOOLING

Homeschooling is a form of education in which parents teach their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional public or private school. Families choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons, including special needs of children, dissatisfaction with the educational options available, different religious or educational philosophies, and the belief that children are not progressing within the traditional school structure.

Close up of mother helping her child with homework