What homeschooling options are there?

Many families today live as digital nomads - they travel the world, work from anywhere and still want to provide their children with a high-quality education. But how does this work without a fixed school? Traditional schools with compulsory attendance often don't suit this lifestyle. In this article, we show why online schools are the best solution for traveling families and what parents should look out for when making their choice. According to a 2023 study by the International Homeschooling Research Institute (IHRI), online schools have proven to be an increasingly popular choice for digital nomads. Over 75% of parents surveyed said they chose a flexible, digital school option to better balance their lifestyle with their children's education.

1️. The challenge: Education for children of digital nomads

Families who travel a lot face a major problem: how can their children receive a stable and accredited education without constantly having to cope with school changes and new curricula?

 Typical problems of nomadic families:

1. Difficult integration into local schools due to language barriers
2. Constant relocations make school attendance difficult
3. Different school standards in different countries
4. Lack of social interaction with peers

The solution: An online school offers flexible learning opportunities that adapt perfectly to a mobile lifestyle.

2️. Why are online schools ideal for digital nomads?

Learning from everywhere - As long as there is an Internet connection, children can learn from anywhere in the world.

Flexible lessons - Individual schedules adapt to the family's everyday life.

International recognition - Many online schools offer internationally recognized degrees.

Digital classroom community - Social interaction and teamwork via virtual platforms.

Adaptation to individual learning styles - Personalized curricula and project-based learning.

Example: A family lives in Bali for six months, then in Portugal - their child can continue learning without interruption and without having to look for a new school.

3️. What types of online schools are there?

Not all online schools are created equal. Here are the main options for digital nomads:

1. State-recognized online schools - reliability with limited flexibility:

• Follow state curricula and offer a structured, recognized educational pathway with fixed requirements
• Have clear guidelines for lesson times and exams, which can be challenging for some nomadic families
• Examples: German Distance Learning School, Wolsey Hall Oxford

2.Alternative & project-based schools - creative approaches, but little connection to state systems

• Strong focus on free learning methods and creativity, but without clearly regulated transitions to state education systems
• More focus on creativity, practical projects & self-reliability
• Use interactive learning platforms to support pupils individually
• Working with real challenges instead of theoretical tests
• Promote critical thinking & personal responsibility through project-based learning
• More suitable for families who are not planning a long-term return to the school system
• Focus on modern learning without traditional exams
• More focus on creativity, practical projects & self-reliability
• Ideal for free learners & independent students

3. Hybrid online schools - flexibility & future-proofing combined

• Combination of project-based learning & orientation towards state curricula
• No classic exams, instead proof of competence through practical work
• Enables self-determined learning with the security of being able to switch to a state system at any time
• Ideal for families who want to enjoy maximum flexibility without compromising on later academic or professional paths

4. Homeschooling-platforms & self-learning

• Parents assume the main responsibility for teaching
• Learning materials & courses can be selected flexibly
• Suitable for families who want maximum freedom

➡ Which school is the best fit depends on the needs of the family.

4️. What parents should look out for when choosing an online school

❓ How flexible is the timetable? - Can pupils learn at their own pace?

❓ What subjects & learning methods are available? - Is project-based learning offered?

❓ What are the technical requirements? - Is the platform stable?

❓ Are there opportunities for social interaction? - Some online schools offer forums, group projects or virtual meetings.

💡 Hint: Parents should find out more about the school's teaching methods and support - many platforms offer trial lessons or info sessions so that they can form their own opinion.

Conclusion - Online schools as the perfect solution for nomadic children

Digital nomad families need a flexible, reliable and modern form of school - online schools offer just that!

• Learning from anywhere & without changing schools
• Flexible schedules & personalised curricula
• Social interaction & modern learning methods
• International recognition & future-proof

Would you like to find out more about our online school for digital nomads? Request our information material free of charge to see for yourself!