Why We Chose Homeschool on the Road
When we chose RV life, it was because we wanted to experience the world with our kids — not just on vacations, but every day. We believe that exposure to different places, cultures, and ideas shapes young minds in powerful ways.
But the truth is, homeschooling came first for us.
With my oldest, my daughter, I was deeply involved in her education from the start — checking homework every day, encouraging extra reading, going to every parent-teacher conference, and staying in constant contact with her teachers. I wanted to make sure she was thriving, and every year I was reassured that she was doing great.
Then, every spring, about a month or two before the end of the school year, I’d get a letter saying she was suddenly far behind — so behind that they weren’t sure how she could move on to the next grade.
Cue the panic.
Each time, I’d schedule meetings, get told all the ways she was behind, and then spend the last weeks of the school year in a frenzy of extra work to catch her up. She was miserable, I was stressed, and it happened three years in a row. By the third time, I realized this wasn’t a “her” problem — it was a school problem.
She was never actually held back. She always caught up enough to advance. But the stress it caused both of us felt unnecessary. Combined with a few bullying incidents at school, we made the leap to homeschooling in March of 2023.
It was the best decision we’ve ever made.
By the end of that year, her test scores were a grade and a half above level. Since then, she’s only continued to excel — and so has my son, who now reads at an 8th–9th grade level while entering 3rd grade. Honestly, I think both of them might outsmart me soon.
Our Homeschool Setup
Our setup is intentionally simple. Each kid has a laptop and does their work at the kitchen table (or picnic table, or couch — wherever we are parked). We keep clutter to a minimum by grading and tossing paper printouts daily.
Most school days take one to two hours. If we’re working on a big project, it takes longer, but our focus is on letting them learn through experiences and the world around them — not just worksheets.
Curriculum & Resources
We’ve tried several different programs over the years, each with pros and cons:
- Acellus Academy – Great price and a solid starting point, but not very customizable. My daughter even found some “loopholes” to skip work, so we moved on.
- Miacademy – One of our favorites! Fully customizable, full of games, and even has a safe online community (which you can block if you want). They offer sibling discounts if you ask.
- The Good and the Beautiful – Our current favorite. My kids asked for a faith-based curriculum, and this was a beautiful way to bring faith into our everyday life while on the road. Most core subjects are free to print, but I highly recommend purchasing their spiral-bound books to make life easier.
- Easy Peasy Homeschool – We switched to this once my daughter aged out of The Good and the Beautiful.
For enrichment, we love Gather ‘Round Homeschool unit studies. And when we manage a pumpkin patch or Christmas tree lot, we even host homeschool field trips — my kids help run them, which is an incredible learning experience in itself.
Making Travel Educational
One of the best parts of roadschooling is that everywhere becomes a classroom.
We seek out destinations that have something to teach — national parks, museums, historical sites. We once planned to spend a summer in Gettysburg just to soak up the history.
But the most meaningful lessons have come from immersing ourselves in the local culture.
For example, at the Grand Canyon, we didn’t just learn about geology and erosion. We also spent time with members of indigenous tribes, learning about their history, customs, and traditions. One young man showed us how he spools yarn and weaves rugs by hand — completely self-taught. Watching him turn wool into intricate designs was a lesson in patience, craftsmanship, and dedication.
These are lessons you just can’t get in a classroom or on a quick field trip.
Our Daily & Weekly Routine
Our kids attend school Monday through Friday, but they can work ahead to take Fridays off if they want — which sometimes they do.
They read for at least an hour a day (my daughter will read for days if we let her), and we do one large project a month, working on it piece by piece. The rest of our time is filled with adventures — beaches, zoos, museums, hikes.
We want them to enjoy childhood and see learning as something joyful, not something to rush through.
Socialization & Community
One of the biggest questions people ask about homeschooling is: “But what about socialization?”
Our kids are never lacking for friends. We often travel with our best friends and their three kids, who are similar ages. We join local homeschool groups wherever we go, and we attend meetups when we can. Plus, our kids are pros at making campground friends within hours of arriving.
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Homeschooling on the road isn’t always easy. Finding the right curriculum has been trial and error. Balancing Wi-Fi needs with travel days can be tricky. And sometimes, you just have to throw the plan out the window and learn from life that day.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
- There’s no “wrong” way to homeschool.
- Your kids’ needs might change — and that’s okay.
- This can be a chance to grow closer as a family.
Top Tips for Families Considering Roadschooling
If you’re thinking about homeschooling while traveling, here are a few things we’ve learned that might help:
- Keep it simple. You don’t need a classroom setup — a table and a laptop are enough.
- Stay flexible. Some days will go exactly as planned, and others will be a mess — that’s okay.
- Choose a curriculum that fits your lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to switch if it stops working.
- Take advantage of your travels. Turn field trips into lessons and let your kids learn from the world around them.
- Connect with others. Join homeschool groups and online communities so your kids (and you!) have friends on the road.
- Document the journey. Keep a travel journal or portfolio — it’s a great record for memories and for showing progress.
- Give yourself grace. There will be hard days. Remember why you started and celebrate the wins.
