Homeschooling grew sharply around 2020, and survey data suggests it stayed above its pre-2020 level afterward. The reasons families give are a mix of school environment, safety, flexibility, special needs, dissatisfaction with academics, and a wish for more control. No single cause explains it.
What the numbers say
Two federal sources are worth knowing, and they do not measure the same thing.
- The Census Household Pulse Survey reported 5.4% of households with school-age children homeschooling in spring 2020 and 11.1% in fall 2020. The fall question clarified the distinction from virtual public or private school.
- NCES reported 3.4% of students ages 5–17 with a K–12 grade equivalent as homeschooled in 2022–23. Its broader 5.2% figure includes full-time virtual education as well as homeschooling.
The two sources differ because they count different things: households versus students, and different question wording and survey methods. The Census question changed during 2020, and NCES separates homeschooling from the broader category of instruction at home. Those distinctions matter before drawing a trend line. We have not cited a 2026 figure because we do not have a comparable federal one to point to. Many states do not require families to report, so no count is complete.
Why families say they are leaving school
NCES and other surveys have asked parents for their reasons. Common answers include concern about the school environment, such as safety, drugs, or negative peer pressure, a wish to provide moral or religious instruction, and dissatisfaction with academic instruction. Parents also cite a child's health or special needs, and a desire for flexibility. The exact ranking depends on the survey and year, so treat any single ordered list with caution.
What kept the number up
Closures gave many families a first look at learning outside the school building, and some found that it suited a child who had been struggling. Work schedules changed too, as more parents work from home or have flexible hours. And the tools improved: it is now much easier to get lessons that adapt to a child than it was a generation ago. These are explanations, not measured causes, and researchers still debate how much each one matters.
What the growth does not tell you
A rising number does not show that homeschooling is better for any particular child. It shows that more families are choosing it, and that it is a normal, legal option in every US state. Whether it fits your child depends on the child, the family's time, and the support you have.
For a family considering the change, the more immediate questions are which courses the child will use, who is home during the school day, and where they will see friends. Our state-by-state guide covers the requirements to check alongside those arrangements.
