Free Homeschool ID Card
You may be asked to prove that you are a homeschooler to be eligible for a discount. If your state requires a Notice of Intent to Homeschool or an application to homeschool, you can often use these as adequate proof of homeschooling.
For stores that require something different, the reply from your school district, letterhead from your umbrella school, or an identification card from a homeschooling support group are other options. You can create your own homeschool ID at home using our free template—get access below.
Homeschool Discounts Video
Below is a list of some companies that offer discounts and/or educator appreciation receptions for homeschoolers. We have linked to the website if one exists, but that does not necessarily mean that the discount is honored online. Most sites have a store locator where you can find a brick-and-mortar store near you.
Businesses Offering Homeschool Discounts
Apple Computers - The full line of educational products are available to homeschoolers who meet their state's requirements for legally homeschooling.
Adobe software up to 75% off for students, teachers, and schools
Microsoft software - up to 75% off for students, teachers, and schools
Office Depot/Office Max Rewards - Non-exclusive rewards program that includes special coupons for teachers with ID
Barnes and Noble bookstore - Educator's Discount Card available in stores only for 20% off most book items for a 2-yr period (card is renewable).
Books-A-Million - 20% for classroom purchases when you fill out a teacher discount card; online registration available
JoAnn Crafts - 15% discount in-store and online with deeper discounts available during special teacher events
Target - Target offers various savings opportunities through their Circle program and a specific coupon for use during their Teacher Prep Event (details change annually); to sign up, login or register for an account and select Home School for the name and K-12 Homeschool for the teacher/faculty type; complete the remainder of the form, and submit proof of educator status (see homeschool ID ideas) to receive a 15% off coupon for use during the Teacher Prep Event
Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum - Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum offers a 40% discount with a minimum purchase of $1,000 for group purchases where there is one purchaser and one shipping address. Call 325-649-0976 for discount code. Other available discounts include 40% for single parents and 20% for military, law enforcement, first responders, ministry, farmers and ranchers. Discounts do not apply to digital curriculum.
Tutor.com - Use promo code "homeschoolmom" to get 50 free minutes of online tutoring. You will also receive 10% off any purchases made within 3 months of signing up. Additionally, all eligible U.S. military families have unlimited access to Tutor.com provided by the Department of Defense. Military service members and their dependents around the world can work with a certified, professional tutor online 24/7 to get help with homework, studying, test prep, resume writing and more.
Not Consumed - 10% discount on entire order with no minimum purchase after application is approved.
Museum Discount & Savings Programs
Many museums offer special membership pricing to educators, so it is always worth it to ask. Even at full price, the reciprocal programs below are a great way to save money at museums, science centers, zoos, and aquariums. To take advantage of the program, join a participating museum (check requirements, some require proof of local address), then use your membership for free or discounted admission to other institutions in the network.
Blue Star Museums - a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families each summer
North American Reciprocal Museum Association - Join an institution in the NARM network and receive admission benefits (some conditions and exclusions apply) at all other institutions in the network; search for participating museums
Association of Science and Technology Centers Travel Passport Program - Similar to the museum reciprocal program above, the ASTC member institutions are focused on STEM
Association of Children's Museums - Several hundred institutions in the association participate in the reciprocity program, which offers 50% off of admission; a red pin on the map indicates a participating museum
Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums - ROAM's reciprocal program is mainly art and culture museums; some restrictions apply to free admission at participating institutions
Southeastern Museums Conference - Limited to states in the southeastern US plus Indiana, SEMC reciprocity includes free general admission to participating museums
Association of Zoos & Aquariums - Member institutions grant free or discounted admission; your admission at other participating institutions is "in kind" with the amount of discount offered at the one you joined
Homeschool Discounts FAQ
How do I ask if a store offers a discount to homeschoolers?
If you wish to know whether a store offers a discount, one way to approach the subject is to ask if that store offers a discount to educators. If the answer is yes, you could pursue whether the discount is extended to homeschoolers as well. If it is not, it is always a good idea to ask in a friendly manner if they have considered extending their educator discount to homeschoolers and give them some stats on the large numbers of local homeschoolers in your area. Often a retailer may not have considered the idea. If one of their competitors does offer such a discount, few retailers want to watch business walk away because they will not meet a competitor's offer.
What do I use as a homeschool teacher ID?
If your state requires a Notice of Intent to Homeschool or an application to homeschool, you can often use these as adequate proof of homeschooling. For stores that require something different, the reply from your school district, letterhead from your umbrella school, or an identification card from a homeschooling support group are other options. You can create your own homeschool ID at home using our free template—get access below. For specific requirements, please ask the individual retailers what they require.
Where do I get books for my child......
If you are asking about the books that make up a curriculum or course of study, there are many companies that sell curriculum online through their websites, and some cities have homeschool curriculum stores where you can look at and purchase curriculum in person.
Some homeschool conferences or state and regional homeschool groups have used curriculum sales or swaps. Homeschool conferences may also host curriculum sellers in their vendor or exhibitor areas.
On Facebook, you'll find that some homeschool groups allow buying, selling, swapping, and giving away curriculum. On Facebook, search for homeschool + your city, county, state or region.
There is also some free homeschool curriculum online, both "all-in-one" and by subject. One example is Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool Curriculum.
Most school divisions and schools don't provide curriculum to homeschoolers except if a child is learning at home through a school-funded program. Then they may require or provide certain specific online curriculum or books. These programs may not technically be considered homeschooling in your state.
If you mean you want your child to have books to read, find your local library and help your child get a library card. Some homeschooling parents do homeschool just by using library books; however, this means really staying on top of going to the library, reading aloud, and discussing books with children.
You can read curriculum reviews here at TheHomeSchoolMom.
You can also read about choosing a homeschool curriculum.