We are blessed to live in a state with thriving homeschool communities and significant homeschool freedom. Below is a list of resources available for families homeschooling in Iowa. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been homeschooling for years, I hope these equip and encourage you on your homeschool journey!
As an Iowa native, I have:
• Homeschooled for over 15 years
• Served as the Homeschool Iowa Polk County Representative for 5 years
• Co-led a homeschool support group for 5 years
• Served in many homeschool group volunteer capacities
Reach out with questions! I love connecting with others in our great state. (And Go ‘Clones!!)
You can jump to any section:
- Academic Support
- Annual Iowa Homeschool Events
- Faith-Based Programs
- Family Support and Resources
- Help for Iowa Homeschool Families
- Help for Iowa Homeschool Groups
- Homeschool Community
- Homeschooling Students in High School
- Post-High School Planning
- Testing for Students Homeschooling in Iowa
Academic Support for Families Homeschooling in Iowa
Classical Conversations (CC)
Classical Conversations communities typically meet once a week. They offer significant structure and support, with rigorous coursework grounded in a Christian classical education model. The cost is more substantial than a traditional homeschool co-op. Consider the value of the CC curriculum, structure, and community support when looking for the best fit for your family.
Find a CC community near you.
Homeschool Co-ops
Co-ops are often formed organically by families looking for support and a homeschool community. As the name suggests, these are cooperative opportunities. So parents fill teaching or support roles. This keeps costs low. Co-op leaders often invest heavily in the success of their group. Each group is as unique as its leadership. There can be a significant demand for co-ops. The ones in Polk County often have their open spots filled six months in advance. Homeschool Iowa keeps a database of Iowa co-ops (limited to those that “opt-in” to the list). If you’re looking for academic support and a homeschool community to invest in, consider a co-op.
Find a local co-op.
Homeschool Assistance Programs (HSAP)
These free programs are offered by some public school districts. The services vary significantly from one district to another but are available only to homeschool students. So if your child is attending HSAP classes, they won’t be attending with public school students. (HSAPs are not the same as dual enrollment.) HSAPs may offer field trips, standardized testing, a curriculum library, academic instruction, or other services. Enrolled children are under the supervision of a public school teacher. If your local district doesn’t offer an HSAP, you can contact another district to see if they allow open enrollment (which has a March 1 deadline).
Hybrid and Collaborative Schools
Hybrid schools focus on partnering with homeschooling families. Parents are still very involved with teaching and overseeing assignments, but the school is providing significant support and a framework for the children’s education.
Here are some of the hybrid schools offered in Iowa:
• Adel Classical Academy (Adel)
• St. Thomas Classical Academy (Des Moines)
• Two Rivers Classical Academy (Des Moines)
• Logos Homeschool Academy (Story City)
• The Olive Grove Academy (Waterloo)
Private School Dual Enrollment
Private school dual enrollment gives students access to classes or extracurriculars. This can be a good option if your student wants to participate in the school’s sports program. It can also be convenient for upper-level coursework that you’d like to outsource. Reach out to your local private school to ask if they allow dual enrollment for homeschool students, and what the cost is.
Public School Dual Enrollment
Public school dual enrollment provides free access to classes or services offered by your local school district. Your student, for example, may want to dual enroll for band and a Spanish class.
In some districts, students can also earn college credit under an umbrella program called Senior Year Plus. These classes may be offered online, on the high school campus, or on the college campus. The high school/college partnerships vary from one district to another. Check your district’s website for a homeschool liaison. It is often a school counselor.
Learn more about dual enrollment at homeschooliowa.org.
Dual Credit Accessed Through Private Pay
Your student can earn college credit by working directly with a college or university and paying privately for the classes. The college credit can be listed on both the high school transcript and the college transcript, making it “dual credit.” Classes may be offered online or on campus. Christian colleges sometimes discount dual credit tuition to encourage high school students to enroll. This can help your student get their foot in the door and also get them familiar with the culture of the college. Explore your favorite college’s website for dual credit/high school options.
Explore dual credit at Faith.edu.
Supervising Teachers for Families Homeschooling in Iowa
Your family might want to consider hiring a supervising teacher. This may be required to meet the requirements of a CPI (Competent Private Instruction) option. Or you might hire a teacher simply for support. If you know a licensed teacher, consider asking if he or she would consider supervising for you!
Find more details or request a list of supervising teachers at homeschooliowa.org.
Annual Iowa Homeschool Events
Homeschool Iowa Capitol Day
Have you considered attending Homeschool Day at the Capitol? It’s a neat experience to be under the rotunda with 1000 other homeschoolers. And what a great opportunity to represent our community! It’s so important for us to know who our legislators are and how they’re voting.
Learn more about Homeschool Iowa Day at the Capitol.
Homeschool Iowa Conference
This annual conference is typically held the first or second weekend in June. My husband and I found our homeschool “why” while attending a Homeschool Iowa conference. It helped us fully commit to homeschooling and move forward confidently. Be encouraged, be equipped, and connect with others in our homeschool community.
Find more details about the Homeschool Iowa Conference.
TeenPact (Des Moines)
This program teaches the political process through a Biblical perspective. Children ages eight to twelve can attend one-day classes. Teens can attend four-day classes. Our kids have done both. Iowa TeenPact classes are typically scheduled for March or April. Consider registering in the fall, as classes fill up quickly with alumni students. Early-bird discounts may be offered. After adding the class to your calendar, add a reminder to start the homework a few weeks in advance (you’ll thank me later!)
Explore TeenPact.
Faith-Based Programs
AWANA
The AWANA program is not homeschool-specific, but it’s a fantastic opportunity for families. As a young child, I was deeply impacted by what I learned through this ministry. I’ve now worked through AWANA handbooks with my own kids for over a decade. You can’t go wrong with memorizing Scripture! Most churches use a similar structure for the evening:
• Large group time with a devotional/Bible message
• Small group time for Scripture learning and conversation
• Game time
Our kids have loved attending. Some churches also host an AWANA Grand Prix. My dear husband has made over a dozen Grand Prix cars with our kids over the years (and he’s not done yet)!
Find an AWANA Club.
LifeWise Bible Classes
This program is not homeschool-specific, but it’s another great opportunity for homeschool students. LifeWise is a nonprofit ministry that provides Bible education to public school students during school hours. Homeschool students are welcome to join as well. I’m glad to say my own church serves as a host site.
Learn more and find a LifeWise chapter in your area.
Family Support and Resources
Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC)
If your family is struggling, consider Biblical counseling to get you pointed in the right direction. I recommend a counselor certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.
Learn more about ACBC and search for a counselor. The following Iowa ACBC-certified counselors are familiar with homeschooling: Dr. Dennis Wilkening, Josh Daggett, Nick Lees, and Matthew Magee (there may be others).
ScreenStrong
I’m grateful for the clarity I found after hearing a ScreenStrong presentation. My husband and I have parented three children who are now adults. We’re committed to handling screens differently with our younger kids. I love what the non-profit organization ScreenStrong is doing for families. Our kids need us to be informed and equipped. We need to understand the impact of toxic screens (video games, social media, and pornography).
Explore FREE ScreenStrong Resources or connect with a ScreenStrong ambassador from Iowa!
Help for Iowa Homeschool Families
Connect with your Homeschool Iowa Regional Representative (no cost)
There are Homeschool Iowa Regional Representatives assigned to counties across our entire state. They are a small army of experienced homeschool parents ready to help you!
Find your Homeschool Iowa Regional Representative.
Schedule a Consultation with Diana (phone call or Zoom)
I provide faith-based homeschool consultation to help you:
• Get started homeschooling
• Create a daily, weekly, or yearly schedule
• Work through discipline or discipleship challenges
• Overcome the fear of failure
• Develop a four-year plan for high school
• Create a high school transcript
• Address the questions on your heart and mind
Let’s connect! Schedule a consultation phone call or Zoom meeting.
Help for Iowa Homeschool Groups
Herzog Foundation
This organization wants to assist you with bringing quality Christian education to your community. They offer assistance to homeschool groups, traditional brick-and-mortar schools – and everything in between.
Explore homeschool group and co-op resources from the Herzog Foundation.
Homeschool Iowa Leader2Leader One-Day Conference
This conference is for leaders of homeschool:
• Co-ops
• Support groups
• Hybrid schools
• Extracurricular programs
• Communities
This is a great opportunity to glean from others. You’ll find encouragement and practical guidance for leading homeschool communities in Iowa.
Learn more about the Leader2Leader Conference.
Homeschool Sessions with Diana
Do you find yourself filling the role of guidance counselor for your homeschool families? Consider scheduling a homeschool session for your group. I offer:
Practical Guidance Sessions
✅ Homeschooling 101
✅ Homeschooling Through High School
✅ Creating a Four-Year Plan for High School
✅ Creating a Transcript
Encouragement Sessions
✅ Five Truths to Remember in Your Season of Homeschooling
✅ A Season of Homeschooling: Lessons Learned
Contact me for details or to discuss other needs.
Homeschool Community
Homeschool Iowa Discussion Group on Facebook
Almost any question you can think of has been asked and answered in this group! Use the search function to look for your topic, or post your question for fresh suggestions. This group is moderated by Homeschool Iowa volunteers, which I appreciate.
You might also find information about homeschool groups, classes, or activities created for a variety of interests.
Explore the Homeschool Iowa Discussion Group.
Support Groups
Support groups vary in their structure, but they often offer field trips, holiday parties, online forums, moms nights, and sometimes a curriculum library. They almost always offer encouragement. I often go home from a support group meeting feeling blessed.
Homeschool Iowa keeps a database of support groups (limited to those that opt-in). Request a list of groups in your area.
Opportunities for Homeschooled Students in High School
Build My Future – Hands-On Career Event
This event is not homeschool-specific, but it’s a fantastic opportunity. Students can be exposed to careers in manufacturing, construction, hospitality, law enforcement, emergency services, military, healthcare, IT, trucking, and more. At times, the Des Moines event has had over 100 exhibitors! My son enjoyed trying welding and some electrical work.
In the past, Build My Future events have been held in:
• Cedar Rapids (grades 7-12): Eastern Iowa Build My Future
• Des Moines (high school): Build My Future
• Sioux City (grades 9-12): Siouxland Build My Future
• Quad Cities (grades 9-12): Quad-Cities Build My Future
Career Discovery Events at Community Colleges
Some of Iowa’s community colleges offer Career Discovery Events for high school students. Those might include hands-on activities or demonstrations with professionals. Sometimes there are company tours. The events can help a student think through the day-to-day tasks of various careers. Community colleges have a vested interest in helping your student consider potential careers and the related degree programs that are offered.
Explore Discovery Events at Des Moines Area Community College
Explore Discovery Days at Iowa Central Community College (scroll down to “Career Discovery Days”)
Iowa Legislative Page Program (Des Moines)
The Iowa Senate and Iowa House of Representatives invite Iowa high school juniors and seniors to apply for page positions. They offer this Iowa PBS video with details. The deadline to apply is typically in the fall.
Find out more about the Iowa Legislative Page Program.
JumpStart at Faith Baptist Bible College (Ankeny)
JumpStart is a summer program for rising juniors and seniors and recent high school graduates. They can earn college credits in a one-week on-campus course. This gives high school students the awesome opportunity to experience the culture of a college campus. My son loved JumpStart. (Did you know almost half of Faith students were homeschooled?)
Explore JumpStart at Faith.edu.
Post-High School Planning
College and Career Support
It sometimes feels like we work so hard to homeschool our kids through high school – that we forget there’s another season to help them navigate after that. ICAN supports 99 percent of Iowa high schools – more than 375 schools throughout Iowa. Access their free resources to help YOU with:
• Career planning
• College planning
• Financial aid
• FAFSA completion
• Student Loans
Explore ICAN.
Testing for Students Homeschooling in Iowa
BJU Press Homeschool Testing
If you’d like the convenience of standardized testing from the comfort of your home, consider using BJU Press Homeschool. They offer the Iowa Assessments and the Stanford 10. Testing can be helpful for assessing your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses. We used the paper and pencil method, which was a smooth process for us. An online option is also available.
Explore testing with BJU Press Homeschool.
ISASP (Iowa Standard )
Standardized testing isn’t needed by all homeschool families in Iowa. However, you do have free ISASP testing available through your local school district. (The ISASP is the new standardized test similar to the Iowa Assessments.) You do not need to be dual enrolled to access this testing. Plan ahead – signup is typically well in advance of the testing date.
Taking the ISASP can help your student get comfortable with testing under time constraints or in an unfamiliar environment. It can also help to gauge how your student is doing overall. What areas are they excelling in? Where do they need more help?
Reach out to your local school district if you are interested in standardized testing.
Questions? Suggestions for this page? Connect with me HERE.
Looking for more homeschool recommendations? Check out my Resource Page.