Why Homeschooling is on the Rise
Homeschooling is no longer just an alternative—it's a movement. Once considered rare, homeschooling has grown into a mainstream education option, fueled by shifting values, better technology, and a growing desire for personalized learning. But what is actually driving this surge? What does the data tell us about how homeschooled students perform?
Let’s dive into the surprising facts, stats, and stories that make homeschooling such a powerful option for families today.
Homeschooling Is Booming—Here’s the Proof
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.7 million students in the United States were homeschooled in 2020–2021. That’s about 7% of all school-aged children, a massive jump from just 1.7% in 1999.
Why the spike?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many families were introduced to the flexibility and customizability of homeschooling.
Others became dissatisfied with traditional education or wanted more control over what and how their kids were learning.
Diverse families—from urban to rural, faith-based to secular—are choosing homeschooling for very different, but equally valid, reasons.
Do Homeschooled Students Actually Perform Well?
Short answer: yes.
In fact, multiple studies suggest that homeschooled students often outperform their traditionally schooled peers—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Standardized Testing: Homeschooled students score 15 to 30 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
College Success: A study by Dr. Brian Ray found that homeschool graduates often have higher GPAs in college, are more likely to graduate, and report a stronger sense of purpose in their education.
Self-Directed Skills: Homeschooling fosters critical thinking, independence, and time management—all key to lifelong learning and success.
Customization Is the Superpower
Every homeschool looks different—and that’s the beauty of it.
A child passionate about science can spend extra hours experimenting.
A struggling reader can get individualized support without feeling behind.
Families can travel, explore, and learn on the go.
This flexibility means learning can happen anywhere, from national parks to kitchen tables. It's education that fits you, not the other way around.
What About Socialization?
This is probably the most common concern—and one of the biggest myths.
Homeschoolers often participate in:
Co-ops and group classes
Sports teams
Community service
Faith based groups
Internships or jobs
In fact, research shows that homeschooled students tend to score higher on measures of social development and maturity. Why? They’re often interacting with people of all ages, not just peers in the same grade.
Final Thoughts
Homeschooling isn’t about isolating kids or recreating traditional school at home. It’s about freedom, flexibility, and real-world learning. It’s about raising thinkers, not just test-takers.
And the data? It backs up what so many families already know:
When students are empowered to learn in ways that work for them, they thrive.
Whether you’re a curious parent, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a student seeking a different path—homeschooling might be the journey that changes everything.
