Outschool Review: Teaching Online Classes From Home

If you have ever explained fractions with a pizza, taught a Scout troop to sew, or turned your kid’s dinosaur obsession into a week-long lesson, you already know how to teach. Outschool is a platform where that kind of teaching can turn into income.

This Outschool teacher review walks through what the platform is, how teaching works step by step, how you get paid, and whether it fits a mom working from home. The short answer: it can be a good fit, but it takes real prep time up front and income is not guaranteed.

We are not affiliated with Outschool and are not paid for this review.

What Outschool is

Outschool is an online marketplace for live and self-paced classes for kids and teens. Parents browse classes, enroll their children, and pay per class or per week. Teachers design their own classes, set their own schedules, and set their own prices within Outschool’s rules. Classes cannot be free, and some types, like math and English tutoring, have higher minimum prices.

Classes cover almost anything: math, reading, art, coding, cooking, chess, social clubs, test prep, and topics built around a single interest. Many classes are small group video sessions. Some teachers also offer one-on-one tutoring or self-paced courses.

Do you need a teaching degree?

Outschool does not require formal teaching credentials. Instead, you apply by describing your experience and recording a short profile video, then verify your identity and pass a free background check. You must be at least 18 and live in a supported country, including the US, for at least six months of the year. Experience with kids, a specific skill, or a passion for a subject can all count.

That openness is a big plus. It also means you are competing with credentialed teachers, so a clear, well-designed class matters.

How teaching on Outschool works, step by step

1. Apply. Fill out the teacher application, record your intro video, and complete the background check.
2. Create a class listing. Write a title, description, age range, learning goals, and class length. Outschool reviews listings before they go live, which can take up to 3 days.
3. Choose a format. One-time class, multi-day course, ongoing weekly class, tutoring, or self-paced.
4. Set your schedule and price. Pick times that work for your household and for families in different time zones.
5. Teach live on video. Live classes run on Zoom, launched from inside Outschool.
6. Follow up. Answer parent messages, post materials, and ask for reviews.

How you get paid

Outschool keeps 30% of what parents pay, and you receive 70%. Payouts are sent through PayPal in US dollars, usually about a week after a class starts, or on Sundays for weekly classes.

You are an independent contractor, so taxes are not withheld. Set aside part of every payout. Tax rules vary by state, so check with your state or a tax professional.

Realistic earnings and time

Earnings depend on how many classes you offer, how full they are, your price, and how many good reviews you have. Some teachers earn a small side income, and a smaller group builds something closer to part-time pay. New teachers often start with few enrollments while reviews build.

The time most people underestimate:

• Building the class: slides, activities, and handouts can take several hours per class before you teach the first session.
• Listing and marketing: writing strong descriptions and testing times that attract families.
• Teaching: the live session itself, plus a few minutes before and after.
• Messages: parents ask questions and expect replies.

The good news: once a class is built, you can teach it many times. The prep pays off over repeats.

Pros and cons

• Pros: you choose your topic, price, and hours; no license needed for most classes; classes are reusable; teaching kids something you love is rewarding.
• Cons: no guaranteed students, fees reduce your share, heavy prep before earning, competition in popular subjects, and live classes need a quiet space at set times.

That last point matters for moms with little ones at home. A class at 10 a.m. is hard if a toddler is also awake at 10 a.m. Many teachers schedule around naps, school hours, or a partner’s availability.

Who it suits

Outschool is a good fit if you:

• Have a subject or skill you can teach with enthusiasm.
• Can protect a quiet 30 to 60 minutes at predictable times.
• Are comfortable on video with kids.
• Can invest prep time before seeing income.

It is a weaker fit if you need steady income right away or your home schedule changes daily.

Our Outschool teacher review verdict

For moms with teaching skills and a stable weekly routine, Outschool can be a real and enjoyable way to earn. Treat the first few months as building time. Start with one short, specific class (a single-session topic or a four-week club), learn what families respond to, then expand.

If you are still sorting out whether teaching is your best path, our Finding Your Perfect Side Hustle course helps you compare it with other options. Our Side Hustle Spotlights series also looks at teaching and tutoring online alongside other work-from-home ideas.

Quick answers

Can you teach your own kids’ classmates?

Your class is open to any family on the platform. Check Outschool’s rules on inviting families you know before promoting to them.

What equipment do you need?

A reliable computer, webcam, headset or microphone, stable internet, and a tidy background.

Can you teach self-paced classes only?

Outschool lets teachers create self-paced classes, where learners move through posted lessons on their own and you give feedback and answer messages. Check Outschool’s current rules before you build one.

Want the full step-by-step?

If you are ready to explore teaching online and other flexible ways to earn, join Money Magic for Moms for access to all of our courses, including Side Hustle Spotlights and Finding Your Perfect Side Hustle, and everything else in our library.