I like the idea of a uniform, especially for outings. I would definitely go for comfort, so the casual. However, a navy shirt and black pants don’t go together. Try a polo shirt and khaki pants. That is an outfit that is easy to find at all uniform places like LandsEnd.com. The girls could then wear khaki skirts or polo dresses.

I agree with others – this is overkill, IMO. Why not just get some bright t-shirts/sweatshirts with a screen-printed design of your name/logo?

How many days per week are you doing this? I also agree it sounds more like a private school, not homeschooling. If it’s a co-op that meets now and then for classes, activities, and field trips, then I think t-shirts would be fine.

However, if you’re very conservative in your religion (sounds like it), then t-shirts may be out of the question.

One thing I can see about the traditional uniform is that the kids will be *swealtering* in that many dark colors. Have you ever been on an outdoor field trip wearing navy and black??? Ugh…but it’d be a good lesson on how dark colors absorb heat ;-).

I would go for kacki pants/shorts/skirts if you have to go with your uniform idea. Then get a nice polo shirt, or t-shirt as mentioned above. At the very least, get some lighter colors.

Some sort of clothing item to set the kids apart will give them a sense of belonging in the group and make them easier to spot in public, so I like that idea.

If I had to choose between the two options you listed I’d go with the casual. However, I would probably opt to go even more casual. I might consider having plain white T-shirts made up with an emblem on them for the homeschool group. Then I would have the kids all Tie-dye their shirts in the same colors, very bright, preferably neon. They would stand out in Public more with those shirts than they would in the dark, plain colors you are describing, so if your main reason was to be able to spot your kids on field trips these might be a better option. You could also provide baseball caps in matching colors, which would make the identification even easier and faster.

I agree with the people who said this sounds less like homeschooling and more like a private or charter school. However since you didn’t say how often classes are I won’t draw that conclusion, for all I know you meet once a week and the kids are homeschooled the rest of the time.

The usual reason for adopting a dress code in schools is to ensure that students will dress modestly, because it is hard to keep track of how 500 kids are dressed. With only fifteen kids, you will know the kids and parents well and can agree upon rules for appropriate dress. For a small home school co-op like you are describing, uniforms really aren’t necessary.

The uniforms you describe are worn by students from numerous schools and it is not unlikely that you will run into other school groups on your field trip who wear the same or similar uniforms. You might be better off having t-shirts, in a bright color, printed with the name of your co-op and/or a logo. It would be much easier to Identify kids wearing a unique t-shirt than to find them in a uniform similar to that of other school groups.

Do the kids want a uniform? Is this a really formal class situation? Are they going to be going out and want a sense of identity as a group? It sounds like a bit of an overkill if there’s no real purpose for it.

As for which uniform, I’d say let the kids vote on the options you’ve given.

Seems rather odd to me, I’d say a dress code that the students vote on is the way to go.

How about something like khaki or dark blue pants -not jeans- and a solid-color polo? Shoes could just be, ‘not ratty.’

Homeschooling as a class in a building with a dress code kind of freaks me out.

For us, one of the most wonderful aspects of homeschooling is the ability to allow much more freedom of individualism. We use homeschool to remove our child from the ‘herd’ mentality found in most public and private schools, in which he is expected to dress, think and behave like everyone else. I understand that this is not a direct answer to your question, however it is something that you may want to consider. At a bare minimum I would suggest allowing your pupils at least a choice between a few different options. Have you spoken with the students as to their preferences? That would likely be the very best place to find the answer to this question. Congratulations on starting your homeschool group. This is a fantastic education choice, and one we have never for a moment regretted in the 12 years we have been doing so. Warmest wishes.

Home schooling is the process of educating school-aged children at HOME rather than at a school. Unless all of these children are yours, what you are doing is not HOME schooling. However, if the children are being, for the most part, taught by their parents in their home, and you are using this as an outlet for their interacting with peers, then it is okay. Teaching a group of that size could even be considered by some as “private schooling”. As private schooling falls into a different category, may require licensing and certification, it may be wise for you to check with your states D.O.E. to be sure you are legal. I am not against what you are doing, but thought I should pass this along, as the laws and criteria for home schooling vary from state to state.

As far as the uniforms go, I’d say let the kids vote on it.

.

I live in FL, please note, below, that it says “directed by his or her parent or guardian “. You need to be sure to check the requirements in your state.

.

Section 1002.01, F.S., defines home education as the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent or guardian in order to satisfy Florida’s compulsory education requirements.

.

An umbrella/satellite school refers to a private school offering programs or services to homeschool families. (FL. D.O.E. definition).

(“offers services” does not mean it does the home schooling).

Sounds to me like you are starting your own private school. Why the uniforms??? Part of homeschooling is allowing each child to be an individual.

the casual one sounds better but it doesnt match. Try going with khaki pants/shorts, and a red, navy or white polo.