Often referred to as home schooling and home-based learning, home education is an option available to all Yukon students. It is a way for students to learn in their home and community with an approach that is adaptable and individualized. The parents assume responsibility for their child's education. The Department of Education supports those who choose home education and will provide resources.
Parents select educational methods that suit the needs of the child and family. The parent and child may design their own methods and/or select course(s) for part-time school attendance or distance education.
"I enjoy the extra time I spend with my daughters. It's great to watch their love of learning grow as they discover the things they really enjoy."
Leslie Knight
Home educator
The Department of Education supports the decision by parents to provide home education for their children. The Yukon Education Act specifies that children who have reached the age of six years and eight months by September 1st, and who are younger than 16 years, need to be registered annually with the Minister of Education.
As part of registration, parents are required to submit an education plan. The plan includes the methods of teaching and the resources you will use for the subjects of literacy and numeracy. There is no requirement to provide this information for other subject areas.
On the registration form, you may specify the learning materials and other resources you wish to request from the Department of Education.
The Minister of Education acknowledges each registration in writing. Home educators are advised how to access specific resources and when those requested materials are available. You may pick up learning resources at the school in your area or at Resources Services, Department of Education, in Whitehorse.
For registration forms, the catalogue of curriculum materials, and information about other resources such as distributed learning, travel subsidies and standardized tests, contact the office of the Superintendent of Programs at the Department of Education, 1000 Lewes Boulevard, in Whitehorse. Or you can call (867) 667 5607 (Toll-free 1 800 661 0408, Ext. 5607).
The Department of Education provides the following resources upon request:
Home education is one of the education alternatives outlined in the Yukon Education Act. According to the Yukon Home Educators' Society:
"I like working on my own, at my own pace. Homeschooling lets me do this. Also, I have more free time."
Home education student; age 11
YHES provides activities, catalogues of home school books, support group meetings, and welcomes all enquiries about home-based learning.
Contact the Superintendent of Programs
Department of Education
By phone:
(867) 667-5607
or toll-free 1 800 661 0408 Ext.5607
By visiting the Department at:
1000 Lewes Boulevard, Whitehorse
By mail:
Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 2C6
Copies of the Yukon Education Act and Regulations are available at the Department of Education or the Yukon Government main administration building. The Education Act is available on line.
This information jointly produced by Government of Yukon, Department of Education and Yukon Home Education Society.