Summer Prep for a New Homeschool Year: Tools to Help You Plan, Pray, and Press On

Summer is finally here—and with it, the chance to slow down, soak up the sun, and catch our breath after a full homeschool year. But if you’re anything like me, your brain doesn’t exactly shut off. Even while we're focused on rest and making memories, thoughts of curriculum choices, goals, and routines for the new school year start quietly knocking.

That’s exactly why I created these resources. Each one came out of a real need in our home, and many of them are straight from my own iPhone notes and planning binders. Whether you’re a brand-new homeschooler or a seasoned mom looking to simplify your process, these downloads are here to serve you.

Here’s a quick look at what’s available and how each one can help as you get ready for the school year ahead:

Prepare for Success this Summer: Homeschool Summer Prep List

Overwhelmed by all the things to do before school starts? This checklist is literally pulled from my personal notes—the exact list I work through every summer. It’s not fancy or perfectly ordered, but it works. I chip away at it throughout break, adjusting as needed. Think of it like a trusted friend whispering, “Hey, remember to update your chore chart,” or “Did you order that math book yet?”

Learn more in this video.

Plan the Year with Purpose: Road Map, Goal Sheets & Attendance Tracker

A successful homeschool year doesn’t just happen—it’s built with thoughtful planning and simple tools that keep you grounded when life gets busy. That’s where these three printables come in.

Start with the Homeschool Year Road Map, my go-to big-picture planner every summer. It helps you outline your family’s vision for the year, including curriculum choices, group studies, character goals, service opportunities, extracurriculars, and expected start and end dates. It’s everything you need in one place—so when August hits, you’re not scrambling to piece it all together.

Then, throughout the year, use the Quarter Goal Setting Sheets to help your kids take ownership of their learning. These pages guide them in setting personal academic goals, brainstorming projects and field trips, reflecting on what’s working, and dreaming about what’s next. It’s a simple but powerful way to check in each season and make meaningful adjustments.

And finally, stay on top of your state requirements with the Homeschool Yearly Attendance Record. No matter your schedule—traditional, year-round, or somewhere in between—this printable gives you a clean and flexible way to track attendance for each student all year long.

Together, these tools provide structure without stress, helping you build a homeschool year with intention and confidence.

High School Record Keeping + Graduation Checklist

Homeschooling through high school can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be. My High School Record Keeping Sheets are where I track each student’s courses, credits, grades, community service hours, test scores, GPA, and more. I update them each semester, and when it’s time to create a transcript or submit college applications, I’m not scrambling—I’ve already got everything in one place.

And if you’re preparing for graduation (congrats, mama!), I’ve also created a High School Graduation Checklist to help you stay organized. From planning a ceremony to ordering a diploma, this printable covers all the big and little things you don’t want to forget as you celebrate your senior’s accomplishments. I originally made it for my own daughter’s graduation, and now it’s yours to use and adapt.

Together, these two printables will help you not only survive the high school years but finish them strong.

Encourage a Love of Reading: Book List, Reading Log & Book Report Sheets

A new school year means new stories to explore—and if you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you covered. My Recommended Book List is filled with tried-and-true titles my own kids have loved over the years. Whether you’re curating next year’s literature picks, building a morning basket, or just stocking up for quiet reading time, this list takes the guesswork out of finding quality books your kids will actually enjoy.

To keep track of all that reading, use the Homeschool Book Log. It’s a simple way to record what each child is reading—or track read-alouds and group books across your whole homeschool. You can reuse it year after year, and it becomes a sweet record of your family's reading journey.

Want to help your kids engage more deeply with what they’re reading? That’s where the Book Report Sheets come in. With fun designs like the Geometric Wolf and Flowers, these pages prompt your kids to summarize the plot, describe the characters and setting, and even illustrate their own cover. It’s comprehension practice made fun—and it encourages thoughtful reflection without turning reading into a chore.

Together, these tools help you build a rich, organized, and joyful reading culture in your home.

Chore Ideas & Family Chore Chart

Summer is the perfect time to reset household rhythms, and getting kids involved in chores is a big part of that. My Chore Idea List is a practical tool to help you evaluate and refresh your family’s expectations before the school year begins. It includes both everyday family contributions and optional paid jobs, making it easy to encourage responsibility while also giving your kids opportunities to earn and grow.

Once you’ve decided who’s doing what, the Family Chore Chart helps everyone stay on track. It’s simple to customize, easy to reuse, and makes expectations clear for the whole family. I like to post ours where everyone can see it—especially during the school year when life gets busy with lessons, activities, and co-ops.

Setting these systems in place during summer gives your home a strong foundation for the school year ahead—and makes daily life run a little smoother for everyone.

Simplify Mealtime: Lunch Ideas & Meal Planning Printables

Let’s be honest—figuring out what to feed your crew every day can be just as overwhelming as planning their schoolwork. That’s why I created two simple tools to help you tackle meals with less stress and more intention.

The Lunch Ideas Printable offers 30 easy, kid-friendly lunch options you can rotate through during the school year. It’s perfect for posting on the fridge or referencing while you meal plan—because some days, just knowing what to make is half the battle.

Pair it with the Meal Planning Printable to map out your weekly meals, keep grocery trips focused, and stay within budget. I use this sheet every week, especially during busy homeschool seasons, to reduce decision fatigue and ensure our days run a little smoother.

Together, these printables take the guesswork out of mealtime so you can focus more on learning—and less on what’s for lunch.

Daily Bible Journaling Printables (Kids & Adult Versions)

As we prep our homes and schedules, let’s not forget to prep our hearts. These Bible journaling sheets are designed to help you and your kids connect with God daily. There’s room to record what you read, what it means, and how it applies. Use them during morning time, personal devotions, or family worship.

Want to go deeper? Grab my Gratitude Journal on Amazon. It’s a beautiful way to build rhythms of reflection, faith, and thankfulness into your homeschool.

Let’s Make This the Year You Step Forward With Peace

Summer may be the season for slowing down, but it’s also a beautiful time to reset and refocus. I hope these resources help lighten your load and give you clarity as you prepare your heart, home, and homeschool for what’s ahead.

You’ve got this, friend—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way. One more piece of advice…go enjoy the summer with your kids! MAKE THOSE MEMORIES!