A Homeschool Schedule: How To Make It Work!

✏️ Please note that this article is based on my family’s homeschool experience (15+ years). We generally homeschool:

• Using a fixed time of minutes (we relax it once we get going)
• Monday through Friday, mornings and afternoons
• Following a traditional 36-week school year
• With three children or fewer (depending on the season of life)

The Google spreadsheet I offer works best for creating a similar schedule. The examples provided reflect a schedule appropriate for elementary-aged students. There are many ways to manage your homeschool day. Do what works best for your family!

Ready to Start?
Already convinced you need a schedule? You can skip the benefits section and jump right to the step-by-step instructions.

The Benefits of Following a Homeschool Schedule

Creating a homeschool schedule can be intimidating. It sometimes requires a lot of decision-making, which can be overwhelming. If you’re like me, that can lead to procrastination and “analysis paralysis.” Eek. I hope this article helps you get ‘er done!

Your schedule won’t be set in stone. You will probably need to make adjustments. But you should find that mapping out a homeschool schedule is well worth the effort! It can be a game-changer for some families.

A Homeschool Schedule Has Superpowers

A schedule can be somewhat of a taskmaster. I’m not sure why this is true, but schedules somehow rule. They can carry a lot of weight. If The Schedule says it’s time to move on to the next subject, then it’s time to move on!  

Having a routine also minimizes interruptions and questions like “what do I do next?” And there’s less procrastination when there’s an allotted time for each subject. This keeps everybody moving. Both kids and parents are accountable. It can be a blessing to follow a routine and find a rhythm.

The Schedule Helps You Say “No”

Sometimes, the best thing we can do in our homeschooling efforts is say “no.” That choir, co-op, or art class might look really shiny. But the reality of a schedule can make it easy to see how much time you have available. It protects you from the burden of overscheduling. More than once, I’ve had my best-laid plans messed up by the reality of our schedule.

A Schedule Helps Manage What Feels Overwhelming

A homeschool schedule helps us manage our days as busy moms. This can truly be “make it or break it” for some homeschool parents.

Years ago, I was presenting a “Homeschool 101” for a small co-op. As I shared scheduling tips, one of the moms started crying. (Not what I hope for when presenting, but acceptable in this moment!) She was completely overwhelmed with homeschooling and felt like she was failing. But she realized she was missing this key component – a schedule.

In that moment, I sensed a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She just needed the right tool to help her manage significant responsibilities. A homeschool schedule can be powerful.

First Things First: Pray

God knows what’s best for each of our families. We simply need to pause from our (possibly frantic) planning and turn our efforts over to Him. Give thanks for the blessing of homeschooling, and then ask for help. Do you need wisdom? Clarity? A sense of peace? We still need to do the work, but we know that God is sovereign. We can prayerfully move forward with confidence and make adjustments as needed.

Access and Customize Your Homeschool Schedule Spreadsheet

• Once you’ve accessed the Google spreadsheet, update the title to the current school year. 
• Be sure you’re on “Tab 1: Time & Subjects.” The tabs are located at the bottom left of the spreadsheet.

You can skip to the next gray box if you’re creating a schedule for just one child.

Prioritize Scheduling for the Student with Less Flexibility

Our first step is to add names in row 1 of the spreadsheet. If you’re creating a schedule for more than one child, you’ll need to be strategic. “Child A” should be the one that requires the most time from you during the school day. It might be your oldest child, or one who struggles with learning. Or this might be a teen who has less flexibility in their schedule due to other commitments. You can mold your other kids’ schedules around this “Child A.”

While younger children require more one-on-one instruction, they have less schoolwork to complete. They also have shorter lesson times. A kindergartner should have more playtime during the school day. That makes their schedule more flexible. If you have a fourth grader and a kindergartner, assign the fourth grader as “Child A.” (This will be “Susie” on the sample homeschool schedule.)

• Add your children’s names in row 1.

Put Your Coursework in the Order of Importance

Next, make a list of all the subjects you’ll be covering. Try to put them in the order you’d like them completed. Generally speaking, kids are more focused in the morning. So that’s the time to tackle more difficult coursework. Consider prioritizing the three R’s: reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Schedule less important subjects in the afternoon. With younger kids, for example, it’s okay to have art or music fall off the schedule if needed. So you might leave those subjects for the end of the day. For very young children, history or science might also be less of a priority.

If you have any subjects you study as a family (such as Bible, History, or Science), note these on the spreadsheet as “Shared.”

• Fill in the “Subjects” column. List more important subjects first. 
• Do this for each student. 
• Add “shared” next to any subjects completed with siblings.
• See the sample homeschool schedule on the spreadsheet as needed.

Consider Time Needed to Complete Each Subject

Check the Curriculum’s Suggested Schedule

A reputable curriculum should provide a suggested schedule, so you know about how much time is needed. (Expect some adjustments after a few weeks of using your schedule.)

Add Extra Time Sessions If Needed

Consider if a subject, such as math, should be split up into two or even three sessions. You’ll need to be familiar with your curriculum to evaluate this. 

Math has always been the subject that takes us the longest. It would be drudgery for my child to do her math fast facts, warm-up problems, practice problems, and math assignment all in one session. Consider if there’s a subject you want to break up throughout the school day. Add a second or third line for that subject.

If math needs to be split into three sessions, label them in the “Subjects” column:

• Math session #1
• Math session #2
• Math session #3

Then you can add time throughout the day to complete this subject. (See my example on the spreadsheet.)

• Add extra lines and labels for any subject that needs more time throughout the day.
• Do this for each student.

List Alternating Subjects on One Line

If you have subjects that can be taught on alternating days, during the same time period, coordinate them. List them on one line. For example:

• Art: 10:30-11:00 Monday & Tuesday
• Music: 10:30-11:00 Wednesday & Thursday

List them as: Art/Music

• Put alternating subjects on one line
• Fill in the “Time Needed” column for each subject.
• Do this for each student.

Decide Breaks and Lunchtime

Now decide if you’ll want a recess or free time on your schedule. If so, do you want both a morning and an afternoon break? With elementary-age kids, we have one morning and one afternoon recess.

I send the kids outside whenever the weather allows. They sometimes complain, but always come back in more ready to focus. If your school day is shorter, you might only need one break. You’ll find a balance between completing the school day and taking breaks as needed.

Also decide if you’d like a longer or shorter lunch time. Do you want to wrap up the school day sooner, or take a longer lunch break? Since my husband works from home, it works well for us to take an hour-long lunch. He joins us, and sometimes I can even get a few other things done. Because we take two breaks and a long lunch, we have a longer school day.

• Add a label in the “Subjects” column for break and lunch times.
• Fill in the “Time Needed” for break and lunch times.
• Do this for each student.

Put It All Together for a Daily Homeschool Schedule

We’re now going to move to a new tab – “Tab 2: Daily Schedule.” You can find this tab located at the bottom left of the spreadsheet. Moving to this new tab will give us more room to work. This is needed for families homeschooling more than one child. Here, you’ll assign specific time periods for each subject.

• Make sure you’re on “Tab 2: Daily Schedule.”
• Add your children’s names in row 1.
• Copy everything in the “Subjects” column on Tab 1 to the “Subjects” column on Tab 2.
• Do this for each student.

Set a Realistic Start Time for Your Day

Consider your family’s natural routine, and be realistic about your daily start time. Early mornings require early bedtimes. If you won’t actually be ready to start your school day at 8:00 a.m., don’t stress yourself out with that expectation.

If you’ll be distracted until Dad has left for work, wait until then. Consider what might affect your school day as you decide your start time. Do remember, of course, the later you start – the later you finish. (The struggle is real!)

• Declare your start time below “Time Period” (cell A3).
• Do this for each student.

Assign Start and Stop Times

If you’re creating a schedule for more than one child, do this step for “Child A” first.

Now you’ll assign start and stop times for each subject, each break, and lunch. Reference the “Time Needed” from Tab 1. If a subject, such as math, is split into sessions, spread those out over the school day. But if it’s a high priority subject, try to keep the bulk of the work in the morning.

Rearrange the schedule as needed. Move your breaks and lunchtime to logical times in the schedule.

If you’re creating a schedule for more than one child, feel free to make minor time changes! This can help make the schedule cohesive. For example, maybe you want two children to complete spelling at the same time on the schedule. But you allotted 20 minutes for Susie, and only 15 for Jimmy. You can change that so both are allotted 20 minutes. Be flexible in this process.

• Add a start and stop time for each subject, each break, and lunch.
• BOLD these anchor points: breaks, lunch, and shared subjects (with more than one child).
• Do this for each child.

If you’re creating a schedule for only one child, you’ve made it! Yay!! 🥳 You can print your schedule and post it where you need it! Then skip ahead to the section about adding extracurriculars.

Fill in Mom’s Homeschool Schedule

This is the most difficult part of the process, but you’re so close!! 🙌

First (an easy step), you need to copy the bolded anchor points to your “Mom” schedule. Then, you’ll make sure you’re available for each student when needed. You’ll list each time period you need to work with each child.

It’s important to remember that students who are reading and writing can do a lot independently. Although Susie has 30 minutes of grammar on her schedule, she won’t need me that whole time. She needs about 15 minutes for me to go over the lesson and give the assignment. Then she works on her own. That frees me up to work with another child the other 15 minutes. Instead of listing 30 minutes for Susie’s grammar lesson on the “Mom schedule,” I list 15 minutes.

If you still have scheduling conflicts, move the “Break” time. Or you can change the subject order (do this for “Student B” first). There will be some trial and error as you work through this. But it should be doable! It’s like putting a puzzle together.

• Copy over the bolded anchor points (breaks, lunch, and shared subjects).
• List each time you NEED to be working one-on-one with a child.
• Make adjustments as needed.
• Do this until you can celebrate. Or find more chocolate and keep at it.
• Print your schedule and post it where you need it!

Do a happy dance as you move to the next section. 💃

Adding Extracurriculars to Your Homeschool Schedule

Now that your homeschool academic schedule is mapped out, you’re ready to consider other commitments. You might have to adjust your schedule when adding an activity to your day, but you have a solid framework! (And next year’s schedule will be SO much easier! You have a system in place!)

In my first year of homeschooling, I signed us up for too many activities (a rite of passage for homeschool moms!). Over the years we’ve mostly settled into a routine that keeps us home all day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. This gets us into a good groove.

By Thursday, we’re ready for a late afternoon break for piano lessons. We also take most of Friday afternoon off for homeschool choir. It’s a great way to end the week. But overall, our school time is pretty well-guarded. Prioritize academics and strive to find a good balance for your family and your season of life.

Extracurriculars: What Offers the Greatest Value?

Consider the value of extracurriculars being offered in your homeschool community. Here are a few questions to help you begin evaluating activities:

• Will the activity help my child experience something new?
• Will this extracurricular help my child form positive friendships
• Could my child grow spiritually from this influence?
• Will this help develop critical thinking or communication skills? 
• Will it encourage lifelong healthy habits?
• Will my teen consider new career options from this experience? 
• Is there a significant commitment of time? Energy? Money? 

Not every extracurricular has to meet qualifications. But it’s wise to consider how your family will spend limited resources.

Reevaluate and Make Adjustments

After a few weeks of following your routine, you’ll find that some things are working, and others aren’t. At this point, you should know a reasonable time for your child to complete each subject. 

On a good day, when your student is working diligently, how long does it take to complete assignments? Use that to set a time limit. Without this, a distracted child can waste a whole afternoon on a math assignment. 

At our house, if schoolwork isn’t completed in the scheduled time, it has to be done during free time. My kids are usually motivated by the reminder: “If you don’t focus and get this done now, then you’ll do it at recess.” We move on to the next subject at the scheduled time.

Remember that one of the benefits of homeschooling is doing what works. Make adjustments as needed throughout the year! Your homeschool schedule should do the heavy lifting for you. Make it do the work!

---

If creating a homeschool schedule still feels overwhelming, consider booking a homeschool consultation. I’d be happy to help you build a schedule that fits your family.