Homeschooling Surges Nationwide: What’s Driving Families to Choose Homeschool Over Traditional Schools?

Homeschooling Continues to Rise Post-COVID: An Educational Shift

A Persistent and Growing Trend

Recent data reveals that homeschooling is rising across the United States, with no sign of slowing down. While the COVID-19 pandemic initially sparked a surge in homeschooling, the trend has only continued to accelerate, well beyond the height of the pandemic’s impact.

In the 2023–2024 school year, 19 states have already reported substantial growth in homeschooling participation, with some states hitting record highs. Most surprisingly, this growth is no longer linked to the pandemic, leaving many experts wondering what fuels the ongoing rise.

The Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy’s recent report confirms that 90% of states collecting homeschool data for the 2023–2024 academic year have seen increases. States like North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Wyoming, among others, are seeing unprecedented numbers of families choosing homeschooling over traditional education.

Homeschooling’s Pandemic Surge Was Just the Beginning

During the COVID-19 pandemic, homeschooling emerged as a lifeline for parents struggling with school closures and the uncertainties of virtual learning. A national survey by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2020 showed that homeschooling rates doubled from 5.4% in spring 2020 to 11.1% by the fall.

As parents adapted to managing their children’s education at home, many found that homeschooling offered flexibility and control that traditional schools could not match.

However, while many experts expected homeschooling numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels once schools reopened, the opposite has happened. Instead of declining, homeschooling continues to expand.

Angela Watson, author of the Johns Hopkins report, pointed out, “Most people thought that students would return to more traditional schools when pandemic disruptions eased, but that’s not what we’re seeing. Homeschooling numbers are still climbing, and we aren’t sure why.”

Record Increases Across States

North Dakota is one state seeing a dramatic increase, with homeschooling reaching an all-time high in the 2023–2024 school year—a 24% rise compared to the previous year. Rhode Island saw an even more significant increase, reporting a staggering 67% jump in homeschooling enrollment. Wyoming has also joined this trend, posting an 8% increase and marking the highest number of homeschoolers the state has ever recorded.

Homeschooling Surges Nationwide: What’s Driving Families to Choose Homeschool Over Traditional Schools?

These numbers aren’t isolated. Eighteen other states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, South Carolina, and South Dakota, are experiencing similar growth. States with large increases tend to follow two patterns: some, like Louisiana and South Dakota, have seen steady growth since before the pandemic. Others, like Minnesota and Washington, saw declines after COVID but are now rebounding, with more families embracing homeschooling as a long-term solution.

Shifting Educational Priorities

What’s driving this shift? One reason could be that parents have become more aware of the benefits homeschooling offers. Many have found that homeschooling provides greater flexibility, allowing personalized learning plans catering to their children’s needs. Others are motivated by dissatisfaction with the current public school system, whether over academic standards, curriculum choices, or concerns about classroom environments.

The pandemic also forced many parents to reevaluate the role of education in their family life. Some discovered they preferred it as they took on a more active role in their children’s learning. The rise of alternative education models like hybrid schools and micro-schools, where students split their time between home and a small learning group, further blurs the lines between traditional schooling and homeschooling, making it easier for families to transition.

Diverse Demographics Choosing Homeschooling

One of the most significant trends is the increased diversity among homeschooling families. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the number of Black families homeschooling jumped from 3.3% in the spring of 2020 to 16.1% in the fall, a fivefold increase. This change has been echoed across racial and ethnic groups, suggesting that homeschooling is no longer confined to one demographic but is becoming a mainstream choice for families from all backgrounds.

This growing diversity highlights the expanding appeal of homeschooling. Whether for flexibility, safety concerns, or dissatisfaction with traditional schools, families across the U.S. are turning to homeschooling to take control of their children’s education.

A Broader Shift in U.S. Education

Homeschooling’s rise is occurring in the context of broader changes in U.S. education. Not only are more families choosing to homeschool, but the total number of students enrolled in traditional schools is also declining.

This is partly due to falling birth rates, but it also signals a shift in how Americans think about education. The rise in homeschooling and alternative models like online schools and learning co-ops suggests that more parents seek flexible and tailored educational experiences for their children.

In states like Texas, which doesn’t officially track homeschool statistics, the Texas Education Agency data indicates that homeschooling nearly tripled between 2020 and 2023.

More than 50,000 students left public schools in Texas to begin homeschooling during this period. Similar trends are occurring in states that do not actively track homeschooling numbers, making it difficult to understand how widespread homeschooling has become.

New Challenges and Opportunities

While homeschooling offers many benefits, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Parents must take on the responsibility of managing their children’s education, often balancing work and other commitments. Additionally, access to resources, curriculum choices, and support networks vary significantly from state to state.

Despite these challenges, the homeschooling community has grown significantly in recent years, with more resources becoming available to support families. Online tools, local co-ops, and hybrid learning models are helping parents provide high-quality education at home.

As homeschooling grows, states may need to reconsider how they regulate and support these families, especially in areas where public funding for homeschoolers is becoming more common.

Homeschooling is Here to Stay

As the 2023–2024 school year progresses, one thing is clear: homeschooling is not a temporary solution. Families are increasingly viewing it as a viable, long-term option. The growth in homeschooling is happening alongside declines in traditional school enrollment, suggesting a lasting shift in educational priorities for many American families.

What was once considered an alternative or fringe option has now become a mainstream choice, with families across the U.S. embracing the flexibility, control, and personal approach that homeschooling offers. As more parents take charge of their children’s education, homeschooling is poised to remain a significant force in the evolving landscape of U.S. education.

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Carl Riedel

Carl Riedel is an experienced writer and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) specialist, known for insightful articles that illuminate underreported issues. Passionate about free speech, he expertly transforms public data into compelling narratives, influencing public discourse.