Yes, homeschooling is one word. This is the standard spelling in modern American English, used by the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, and major dictionaries. While you may occasionally see the hyphenated form home-schooling or the two-word version home schooling, the single-word form is now the accepted norm in educational writing and everyday use.
Why spelling matters for parents and educators
Using the correct spelling of homeschooling helps your writing appear professional and credible. When you search for resources, fill out state paperwork, or communicate with school districts, using the standard form avoids confusion.
Many state education websites, including those for California, Texas, and New York, now use the one-word version in their official documents. Consistency matters, especially when submitting forms or writing about your educational approach.
How dictionaries and style guides treat homeschooling
Major American dictionaries list homeschooling as a single word. Merriam-Webster, American Heritage, and Cambridge Dictionary all use the closed compound form.
The Associated Press Stylebook, widely used in journalism and educational publishing, also recommends the one-word spelling. This standard applies to related terms like homeschool (verb), homeschooler (noun), and homeschooled (adjective).
| Term | Correct Spelling (US) | Incorrect Spellings |
|---|---|---|
| Homeschooling (noun) | homeschooling | home schooling, home-schooling |
| Homeschool (verb) | homeschool | home school, home-school |
| Homeschooler (noun) | homeschooler | home schooler, home-schooler |
| Homeschooled (adjective) | homeschooled | home schooled, home-schooled |
When you might see alternative spellings
Despite the standard, you may encounter other forms in older texts or certain contexts. Hyphenated versions like home-schooling were common in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Some state laws still use the two-word form in their statutes. For example, a few state education codes refer to home schooling in their legal definitions. Always check the specific wording required by your state when completing official forms.
If you are writing for a national audience or general publication, stick with the one-word spelling. It is the safest choice for clarity and professionalism.
Common related terms and their spellings
Understanding how to spell related words helps you maintain consistency across your writing. Here are the standard forms:
- Homeschool — the verb form (e.g., “We plan to homeschool our children.”)
- Homeschooler — a person who homeschools (e.g., “She is a veteran homeschooler.”)
- Homeschooled — past tense or adjective (e.g., “He was homeschooled through high school.”)
- Homeschooling — the activity or practice (e.g., “Homeschooling has grown steadily.”)
Each of these follows the same pattern: the prefix home combines with the base word without a space or hyphen. This consistency makes learning the spelling rules easier.
Tips for remembering the correct spelling
If you struggle to remember whether homeschooling is one word, try these simple strategies:
First, think of similar compound words like homework or homemade. These are also single words, and homeschooling follows the same pattern.
Second, use your word processor’s spell checker. Most modern software flags home schooling as incorrect and suggests the one-word version.
Finally, when in doubt, check a reliable online dictionary. A quick search will confirm the standard spelling instantly.
Why the one-word form became standard
Language evolves over time, and compound words often move from two words to hyphenated forms to single words. Homeschooling followed this natural progression.
As homeschooling became more common in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, writers and educators began treating it as a distinct concept rather than a description. The single-word form reflects its status as a recognized educational approach.
Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics uses the one-word spelling in its reports. This official usage reinforces the standard for schools, researchers, and families.
What about British English?
If you are writing for a US audience, stick with the American standard. British English sometimes uses home-schooling or home schooling more frequently.
However, for US education websites, state forms, and local communications, always use the one-word form. This ensures your writing aligns with American conventions.
Practical summary
To summarize: homeschooling is one word in American English. Use this spelling in all your writing for clarity and professionalism. Remember that related terms like homeschool, homeschooler, and homeschooled follow the same rule. When completing official paperwork, double-check your state’s requirements, but for general writing, the single-word form is always correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homeschooling one word or two?
Homeschooling is one word in American English. This is the standard spelling used by dictionaries, style guides, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Is it homeschool or home school?
The correct verb form is homeschool as one word. For example, “We homeschool our children” is the standard American usage.
Does the spelling of homeschooling change in different states?
Most states use the one-word spelling in their official documents, but a few state laws still use the two-word form. Always check your specific state’s forms for exact wording.
Is home-schooling with a hyphen ever correct?
Hyphenated forms like home-schooling were common in older texts but are now considered outdated. Stick with the one-word version for modern writing.
How do you spell homeschooled?
Homeschooled is one word, following the same rule as homeschooling. It is the standard spelling for the past tense and adjective forms.
