Homeschooling

Homeschooling is unique to each child and family. Curriculum, instruction, experiences, settings, and more can be customized to the student, but parents do have to adhere to state homeschool laws. Most homeschooling families build local or online communities to provide the same types of academic support and social opportunities that a school would offer.

Every parent can be a teacher

Under Pennsylvania law, parents can disenroll their children from the public education system via affidavit. These homeschooling students will still be required to have their portfolio evaluated by a qualified evaluator and take state examinations every few years. But parents can be their primary instructor—and thousands of parents have found incredible success teaching their own kids.

Dozens of Pa. homeschooling organizations

It’s crucial to find other like-minded homeschoolers and coordinate with them on finding curriculum and opportunities for your child. Organizations in Pennsylvania are both local, helping parents form groups and co-ops, or online statewide. Themed organizations for religious denominations, special interests, cultural identities, and professional experience are also becoming more popular and easier to find.

Homeschooling and academic excellence

Research has shown that homeschooling correlates with standardized test scores 15-30 percent higher than public schooling. The academic benefits of homeschooling are connected to its comfortable, stress-free learning environment, its flexibility to deeply explore many topics of interest, and its freedom to emphasize student strengths and overcome weaknesses. Teaching and learning is customized, which means students can move at their own pace—which is often much faster than in a typical classroom.

Countless American families are now taking advantage of the freedoms homeschooling provides. Setting your own schedule, going at your own pace, and tailoring lessons and methods to your students are just a few of the benefits of home education. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 11 percent of American students are now homeschooling. From the 2019-2020 school year to the 2020-2021 school year, alone, the number of homeschooling students doubled. Schooling at home is growing in popularity—and it seems the COVID-19 pandemic has only enhanced homeschooling’s appeal.

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