Homeschool benefits and savings in Kansas City
The Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Schlagle Library, an environmental learning center run by the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library in Wyandotte County Lake Park, holds monthly Homeschool Adventures science programs and offers its StarLab inflatable planetarium for homeschool groups. The library lists no fee for these programs, but registration is required and sessions often fill. Other options include college classes and scholarships and transit fare savings.
Benefits in Kansas City
- Kansas City Kansas Public Library Schlagle homeschool programs
- Kansas City Kansas Community College homeschool dual enrollment
- RideKC low-income fare
Kansas City Kansas Public Library Schlagle homeschool programs
Who qualifies
Is a homeschool family
Homeschool Adventures programs are listed for homeschool families with children and teens, with no proof of homeschooling or school enrollment asked.
Registers every attendee
Register each person who will come, including the adults with the children. Popular sessions show as full once seats are taken.
Meets any age limit
Most programs welcome all ages, but some set limits, such as the December 2 archery session for ages 8 to 17.
What the programs offer
Dates and terms come from Schlagle Library's branch page and the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library homeschool event listings for fall 2026.
- Homeschool Adventures: ABCs outside, Nov. 4
- 10-11 a.m., outdoors
- Homeschool Adventures: Archery, Dec. 2
- 10 a.m.-noon, ages 8-17
- StarLab inflatable planetarium
- For field trips and homeschool groups
- Third Saturday family events
- Hikes, nature crafts, classes
- Summer camps
- Ages 5-15
Both fall Homeschool Adventures sessions showed as full on October 12, 2026, so register as soon as new dates are posted.
How to join a program
- Before a program
Watch the homeschool calendar
The library's events page has a Homeschool filter that lists programs at Schlagle and other branches.
- When registration opens
Register everyone
Sign up each child and each adult who will attend, since seats fill.
- For a group
Ask about StarLab
Email flsinfo@kckpl.org or call 913-295-8250 to schedule StarLab or another program for your homeschool group.
- On the day
Dress for outdoors
Some programs run fully outside on dirt, rock, and mulch trails along the lake, so dress for the weather.
What it includes
Included
- Monthly homeschool science and nature programs
- StarLab planetarium for homeschool groups
- Live animal displays, a touch table, and a nature trail
Not included
- Walk-ins for registration-required programs
- Children under 8 at archery
Who to contact about homeschool programs
Schlagle's scheduling coordinators book group programs and StarLab and answer questions about homeschool offerings.
flsinfo@kckpl.org 913-295-8250 Schlagle Library page
Kansas City Kansas Community College homeschool dual enrollment
Who qualifies
Is in an accredited homeschool
KCKCC offers college classes to students in an accredited homeschool program, along with high school and foster care students. Ask KCKCC whether your homeschool's status meets that rule.
Is a sophomore or older
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can enroll, and ninth graders can if they meet the criteria for gifted students.
Meets placement scores
High School Partnerships staff verify admission and minimum placement test scores before enrolling a student in classes.
What it is worth
KCKCC's fall 2026, spring 2027, and summer 2027 rate for current and dual enrollment students is $80 per credit hour, before program fees. The regular Wyandotte County rate is $110 per credit hour.
- One 3-credit class
- $240
- Two classes (6 hours)
- $480
- 12 hours, the suggested maximum
- $960
- Same 12 hours at the Kansas in-state rate
- $1,500
Federal financial aid is not available to high school students, and some technical programs add program fees, which KCKCC discounts for high schoolers.
From applying to keeping it
- Before you enroll
Contact High School Partnerships
Email hsp@kckcc.edu or call 913-288-7428 to confirm your homeschool qualifies and which classes are open.
- To enroll
Submit the homeschool form
Use the Homeschool Students enrollment form on KCKCC's admission and enrollment page.
- Before classes start
Meet placement scores
Staff check admission and minimum placement test scores, then enroll your student in the requested courses.
- Each semester
Follow the college calendar
Students follow KCKCC's schedule, and a new application is needed if your student does not enroll within three semesters of applying.
What it pays for
Covered
- College classes at $80 per credit hour
- Classes online and at KCKCC's three locations
- Technical programs such as cosmetology, culinary arts, and automotive
Not covered
- Program fees
- Federal financial aid
Who to contact
High School Partnerships staff enroll homeschool and high school students in college classes and answer questions about eligibility and costs.
hsp@kckcc.edu 913-288-7428 Admission and enrollment
RideKC low-income fare
Who qualifies
Gets a qualifying benefit
SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid, Section 8 or other federal housing aid, LIHEAP in Missouri, or LIEAP in Kansas. Send proof of participation with your application.
Or is 6 to 18
Children and teens ages 6-18 are eligible for the reduced fare without a benefit program. Each child needs a separate application with the parent's name on it.
Has a RideKC Go account
Download the RideKC Go app and create an account before you apply, because the discounted passes are issued to that account.
Sends a valid ID
Every applicant includes a copy of a valid ID.
What the fare saves
RideKC's fare page lists regular and reduced prices; fares returned on June 1, 2026 after a fare-free period.
- Single ride
- $1 ($2)
- Day pass
- $2 ($4)
- Weekly pass
- $10 ($20)
- 30-day pass
- $31.25 ($62.50)
- Children ages 0-5
- Free
The 50% discount works on all fixed routes, but not on RideKC Freedom paratransit or IRIS ride share.
How to get reduced fares
- Before you apply
Set up RideKC Go
Download the app and create an account for each person who will apply.
- When you are ready
Apply online or in person
Apply through United Way of Greater Kansas City at unitedwaygkc.org/ridekcapp. If you cannot apply online, go to KCATA's East Village Transit Center, 700 E 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
- After review
Get the discount
United Way reviews the application and tells you the status, and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) issues the Reduced Fare pass to your account.
- Each trip
Ride at half price
Use your RideKC Go account to pay the reduced fare on any fixed route.
What it includes
Included
- Single rides, day, weekly, and 30-day passes
- All RideKC fixed routes
- Children 6-18 by age
Not included
- RideKC Freedom paratransit
- IRIS ride share
Good to know
Homeschooled children qualify
A child 6 to 18 qualifies by age alone, without a school ID. Each child needs a separate application listing you as parent.
RideKC is no longer free
RideKC was fare-free until fares returned on June 1, 2026.
Adults have several ways to qualify
Adults qualify through a listed benefit program, Medicare, a qualifying disability benefit, or by being 65 or older, and each household member files a separate application.
Who to contact about Reduced Fare
The KCATA Regional Call Center answers fare and Reduced Fare questions, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
816-221-0660 Reduced Fare application
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Kansas
You must register the school name, address, and records custodian with KSDE once, not annually. You must notify the previous school when transferring a student.
Kansas sets these rules:
- Subjects: Parents choose the curriculum. Instruction must be competent and substantially equivalent in time to the local public school term.
- Testing: Kansas does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: KSDE recommends complete progress records for transfers and college admission; it does not prescribe a homeschool portfolio or attendance-record format.
- Teachers: Courses must be taught by competent instructors; a state teaching license is not required.
Read the Kansas homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Kansas
Questions parents ask
- Does my child need to be enrolled anywhere to join Schlagle Library programs?
- No. Homeschool Adventures programs are listed for homeschool families, and registration asks only who is attending.
- Do the Schlagle Library homeschool programs cost anything?
- Not that the library lists. The event listings show no fee for Homeschool Adventures; ask the scheduling coordinators about costs for StarLab or private group programs.
- Can my homeschooled teen take KCKCC classes at the dual enrollment rate?
- Only if your homeschool counts as accredited. Ask High School Partnerships how KCKCC applies that rule and for its Homeschool Students enrollment form.
- Can we use federal aid for KCKCC dual enrollment?
- No.
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