50 Homeschooling Statistics 2023 : A Deep Dive

Homeschooling, once considered an unconventional educational choice, has gained significant popularity in recent years.

To better understand the homeschooling phenomenon, it is essential to delve into homeschooling statistics and explore the trends, demographics, and implications associated with this educational approach.

Key Stats Overview

1. In 2020, approximately 11.1% of U.S. households (about 5.4 million students) reported homeschooling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. The number of home school kids in the United States has grown by an estimated 400% over the past two decades.
3. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the most common reason parents choose homeschooling is a concern about the school environment (bullying, safety) at 34%.
4. Approximately 64% of homeschooling families cite religious or moral reasons as a primary motivation for homeschooling.
5. Home school kids typically score above the national average on standardized tests, with their average SAT scores exceeding those of public school students.
6. The homeschooling population is diverse, with students coming from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. In 2016, 66% of home schoolers were white, 15% were Hispanic, 9% were African American, and 5% were Asian or Pacific Islander.
7. The average cost of homeschooling a child is significantly lower than private school tuition, with many homeschooling families spending less than $600 per year on educational materials.
8. On average, homeschooling families spend about 3 to 4 hours per day on formal instruction, leaving more time for experiential learning and extracurricular activities.
9. Homeschooling is legal in all 50 U.S. states, but the regulations and requirements vary widely from state to state, ranging from minimal oversight to strict reporting and testing requirements.
10. Homeschooling has been a recognized educational option in countries worldwide, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many European nations, with varying levels of regulation and support.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) & U.S. Census Bureau

Reasons & Motivation for Homeschooling

There are various reasons parents choose homeschooling for their children.

The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) conducted a survey, revealing that the primary motivations for homeschooling include:

Concerns about the school environment:

Parents often cite concerns about bullying, peer pressure, and safety as compelling reasons to homeschool.

Tailored education:

Homeschooling allows parents to create customized learning plans that cater to their child’s unique needs and interests, fostering a love for learning.

Religious or philosophical beliefs:

Some families opt for homeschooling to instill their values, beliefs, or religious teachings into their children’s education.

Academic performance:

Parents may believe that homeschooling can provide a higher-quality education compared to the public or private school system.

Special needs:

Homeschooling can be an attractive option for families with children who have special needs, as it allows for individualized support.

Related: Why is Preschool Important?

The Growth of Homeschooling

Homeschooling has witnessed remarkable growth over the past few decades.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the number of homeschooled students in the United States more than doubled between 1999 and 2016.

In 1999, there were approximately 850,000 homeschooled students, while by 2016, this number had surged to over 1.7 million.

This trend is not limited to the United States alone; many other countries have reported similar increases in homeschooling numbers.

COVID-19 and Homeschooling

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives, including education.

With schools closing to prevent the spread of the virus, millions of parents and guardians found themselves thrust into the role of educators.

Homeschooling became an unexpected and widespread phenomenon.

1. Surge in Homeschooling: During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States saw a notable increase in homeschooling. By fall 2020, homeschooling rates tripled from 5.4% of households to 16.1%.
2. Temporary Homeschooling: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a significant portion of parents who began homeschooling during the pandemic viewed it as a temporary arrangement, with 64% expressing the intention to send their children back to traditional schools when they reopen.
3. Remote Learning Challenges: In a survey by Common Sense Media, 56% of U.S. parents reported that their children experienced technical difficulties with remote learning during the pandemic.
4. Decline in Student Engagement: Research from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) indicated that students’ math achievement in the 2020-2021 school year was significantly lower compared to previous years, suggesting that remote learning and disruptions caused by COVID-19 impacted student engagement.
5. Parental Stress: A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology found that parents of children engaged in remote learning during the pandemic experienced increased stress levels.
6. Digital Divide: The pandemic highlighted the digital divide in education. According to Education Week, 15-16 million K-12 students in the U.S. lacked reliable internet access or devices for remote learning.
7. Economic Disparities: Families with lower incomes were disproportionately affected by the challenges of remote learning. A report by the Pew Research Center found that 59% of lower-income parents were concerned that their children would fall behind in school due to remote learning, compared to 33% of higher-income parents.
8. Impact on Special Education: According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, students with disabilities faced significant challenges during the pandemic, including disruptions to services and difficulties accessing online resources.
9. Mental Health Implications: The pandemic took a toll on students’ mental health. The CDC reported a sharp increase in the number of children and adolescents visiting emergency departments for mental health reasons during the pandemic.
10. Return to Traditional Schools: As of 2021, as COVID-19 vaccination rates increased and schools reopened, many students who had been homeschooled during the pandemic returned to traditional schools. However, the long-term impact of this educational disruption remains an ongoing area of study and concern.

Demographics of Homeschooling

Homeschooling is a diverse educational choice, with families from various backgrounds and circumstances opting for this approach.

Demographic Aspect	Data
Gender	Nearly even split between boys (49%) and girls (51%)
Race and Ethnicity (2022)	– White: 66% – Hispanic: 15% – African American: 9% – Asian or Pacific Islander: 5%
Family Income (2022)	– Less than $50,000 per year: 36% – $50,000 to $100,000 per year: 41% – Over $100,000 per year: 23%
Parental Education (2022)	– High school diploma or less: 35% – Some college or vocational training: 31% – At least a bachelor’s degree: 34%
Duration of Homeschooling	– Average duration is approximately 6 years
Students with Special Needs	In 2022, approximately 16% of homeschooled students had a diagnosed disability.
Use of Online Learning	In 2022, about 27% of homeschooling parents reported using online courses or virtual schools as part of their curriculum.

Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling

The choice between homeschooling and public schooling is a significant decision that many parents and guardians face when considering their child’s education.

Each option offers a distinct approach to learning, with its own set of advantages and challenges.

1. As of 2020, approximately 3.7 million students in the United States were homeschooled, representing about 6.1% of the K-12 student population.
2. The number of homeschoolers in the U.S. has increased significantly over the years, with a 64% increase from 2009 to 2020.
3. According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), the most common reasons parents choose homeschooling include concerns about the school environment (34.2%), a desire for religious or moral instruction (32.9%), and dissatisfaction with academic instruction (16.9%).
4. Homeschooling families come from various socioeconomic backgrounds, with 36% earning less than $50,000 per year, 41% earning between $50,000 and $100,000, and 23% earning over $100,000 annually.
5. Homeschoolers tend to outperform their public school peers on standardized tests. On average, homeschooled students score 15-30 percentile points above the national average on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT.
6. In the 2020-2021 school year, there were approximately 50.8 million public school students in the United States.
7. Public schools are funded through a combination of federal, state, and local sources. On average, the United States spent about $12,756 per student in public schools during the 2018-2019 school year.
8. Public schools have legal obligations to provide special education services to students with disabilities. In the 2019-2020 school year, 7.2 million students in public schools received special education services.
9. Public schools offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, and arts programs. In the 2019-2020 school year, 53% of public school students participated in at least one extracurricular activity.
10. The availability of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs in public schools allows students to pursue advanced coursework and earn college credits while in high school. In 2020, more than 2.8 million AP exams were taken by public school students.