Simple requirements for homeschooling in Manitoba

Getting started and continuing with homeschooling in Manitoba is an easy process. Homeschooling Families are largely entrusted to educate their children with whichever curriculum or teaching method they see fit.

Ministry of Education regulations in Manitoba

For any child between the ages of 7 and 17 in Manitoba, legislation requires that the Ministry of Education is notified of the intention to homeschool on an annual basis. Parents or guardians must supply the name and birth date of each student, the name of the school they would have otherwise attended (or did attend, in the case of students who move to homeschooling from a public or independent school) and an outline of their usual grade level and education program.

Parents or guardians must also supply periodic progress reports. These can be as simple as showing the progress of handwriting through samples and recording the books being read by the child, or a home educator may wish to explain in more detail the teaching methods being used and how they are working in the home school environment.

Notification and progress reports can be submitted online to The Manitoba Homeschooling Office, who will connect families with a government liaison officer. For the most part, the completion of the notification package will suffice to prove that the homeschool environment is effective. Occasionally an officer may be sent to check on a family if there is little evidence of progress being made by a student.

Manitoba homeschooling students do not have to sit exams, although they are welcome to do so through a local public or independent school. Parents and guardians are responsible for obtaining permissions and making appointments with the school to do so.

Homeschooling your child, your way

Homeschooling is a great way to meet the needs of a family’s unique lifestyle or to provide an outside-the-square education for children. While parents may choose any curriculum or educational approach that suits their family, they should be aware there is no funding available in Manitoba for homeschoolers to purchase resources or bookwork, so any structured materials must be funded independently. However, registered homeschools do have access to online resources at the Online Resources for Manitoba Educators site.

While these online resources provide a good starting point for choosing curriculum content, home educators in Manitoba may like to explore other online programmes that provide a more structured pathway through key learning objectives. EP’s rich bank of interactive learning resources, lessons, quizzes and activities can bring the content to life for home learners.

Find out how EP can support Manitoba home educators

Another great resource for families looking for activities and advice on their homeschool journey is the Manitoba Association for Schooling at Home (MASH). The Association organizes field trips and educational themed group activities that children can partake in, which can help with making friends and connections outside the home. MASH can also help with filling out progress reports and creating curriculums for your homeschoolers, and has an avid Francophile contingent.

Thanks to the connection opportunities available online, and supportive homeschooling network, Manitoba students can access a robust, modern education from home.