K12 Homeschooling is on the Rise—Here’s What School Leaders Should Know

Let’s not sugarcoat it — K12 homeschooling isn’t a fringe movement anymore. It’s a full-on shift in how families think about education.

Across the country, parents are pulling their kids from traditional classrooms and choosing home schooling online, hybrid learning models, and other flexible options that let them mix and match learning experiences.

And while some districts may see this as a challenge, smart school leaders know it’s also an opportunity — to rethink what public education can look like in a post-pandemic world.

The Rise of K12 Homeschooling: A Shift School Leaders Can’t Ignore

Over the last five years, K12 homeschooling has surged — not just among families with strong philosophical beliefs, but across nearly every demographic.

Personally, I’m seeing it a lot on social media. Parents sharing their homeschool set up, their schedule, their children learning….

And this tracks because according to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), the number of homeschooled students jumped from about 2.5 million in 2019 to 3.1 million in 2021-22 — a 20–30% spike in just a few years. Not exactly a small trend.

The pandemic may have cracked the door open, but what’s kept it open is flexibility. Parents discovered that school-at-home could be more personalized, less stressful, and — for many kids — more effective than what they experienced in traditional classrooms.

Today, many families blend online homeschool programs, community classes, co-ops, and extracurriculars to create a learning experience that fits their child. It’s not about walking away from education — it’s about building a home education program that fits their child.

Because parents aren’t rejecting learning. They’re rejecting inflexibility.

→ For related insights on shifting instructional trends post-pandemic, see Beyond ESSER: Cultivating a Sustainable Pipeline of Internal Leaders for School Growth.

The New Landscape of K12 Home Schooling and Online Learning

If you picture homeschooling as parents around a kitchen table with textbooks, it’s time to update that image.

Today’s K12 home schooling ecosystem is tech-driven and connected. Families can choose from a diverse array of online homeschool programs, curricula, and accredited homeschooling programs that rival district offerings.

Here’s what today’s K12 homeschooling looks like:

• Online homeschool classes and virtual schools offer structured schedules, certified teachers, and interactive coursework — often using the same digital platforms public schools rely on.

• Hybrid homeschool models let students take some online courses through their district while completing others at home.

• Community-based learning pods blend group instruction with home study schools or home education programs.

This evolution blurs the line between home and public education and the biggest growth seems to be in those who want to keep some connection to schools while customizing the rest.

→ For a deeper look at how technology is transforming instruction, check out Embracing Technology in the Classroom: Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence.

Why More Parents Are Choosing to Homeschool Their Kids

So what’s really behind the uptick in the homeschooling trend? Parents aren’t just chasing flexibility for fun. They’re responding to real pain points — and public schools would be wise to listen.

Here’s what’s driving the surge:

1. Personalized Learning

Many families feel their kids are more than test scores. Homeschooling allows them to tailor curriculum, pacing, and teaching style to their child’s strengths — something public systems often can’t do at scale.

2. Safety and Well-Being

Between school violence, bullying, and social pressure, mental health ranks high on parents’ lists. A home education program gives them more control over their child’s emotional environment.

3. Quality of Instruction

Some families turned to online homeschool programs after seeing what virtual learning could offer during the pandemic — smaller student-to-teacher ratios, focused instruction, and fewer disruptions.

4. Lifestyle and Flexibility

For families who travel, have nontraditional work schedules, or pursue sports or arts at a competitive level, homeschooling offers freedom that no bell schedule can.

And let’s be real — technology made this possible. Parents now have access to online homeschool programs that deliver top-notch instruction without sacrificing flexibility.

→ Curious how schools can strengthen student well-being and engagement? Read Resilience Strategies for Students: How to Support Our ‘Anxious’ Generation.

The Impact on Public Schools and What Leaders Should Know

This rise in K12 homeschooling directly affects traditional districts. Fewer students often mean less funding — but the implications go deeper than budgets.

• Enrollment and Staffing:  Since 2020, public school enrollment has declined nationwide, forcing districts to rethink staffing, programming, and resource allocation.

• Community Connection:  Families who opt for home study schools or virtual homeschool programs aren’t necessarily anti-school. Many still want access to sports, clubs, and specialized courses. Schools that cut ties entirely lose valuable community connections.

• Equity and Access:  The gap between families who can afford robust online homeschooling programs and those who can’t is growing. Public schools still have a critical role in ensuring equitable access to education programs and digital tools.

Here's a key takeaway: If leaders see homeschooling families as “lost,” they miss the bigger picture because parents are signaling what they value: flexibility, relevance, and connection.

How Schools Are Responding — and What’s Actually Working

Here’s the thing: districts across the country are realizing they don’t have to compete with the rise in K12 homeschooling—they can collaborate with it.

And the ones leaning in? They’re seeing stronger family trust, higher engagement, and even a return of some homeschool families back into public school programs.

Here’s what that looks like in action:

1. District-Supported Hybrid Learning Models

More districts are offering hybrid enrollment options that let students blend school at home with in-person learning.  Some families choose to complete core subjects through online homeschool programs while joining school for electives, labs, or small-group projects.

This allows for families to stay connected to their districts while maintaining the flexibility they want—a balance between home education and public schooling that works for everyone.

2. Expanding Virtual School Options

Forward-thinking leaders are strengthening virtual school and online homeschool programs to meet families’ growing demand for flexibility. These options offer high-quality instruction through accredited platforms, flexible pacing, and live-teacher support that keeps students engaged and enrolled—no matter where learning happens.

3. Shared Resource Partnerships

Many schools now give homeschool students access to valuable district resources—like libraries, science labs, extracurriculars, and counseling—while maintaining enrollment connections.

In this way, districts remain central to students’ educational experience, even when instruction happens off-site.

4. Curriculum Alignment and Support

Some districts are stepping up to help parents align their home education program with state standards, graduation requirements, and even accredited homeschooling programs.

This kind of support builds goodwill and reinforces the district’s role as a partner in student success, not a competitor.

5. Professional Learning for a Hybrid Future

Leaders are also rethinking professional development for teachers. Instead of one-size-fits-all PD, they’re offering training on how to engage hybrid learners, manage digital coursework, and support students across online and in-person environments.

As a result, teachers feel equipped, students feel supported, and schools stay relevant in a landscape where teaching must adapt to changing needs for increased flexibility.

Because let’s be honest—education is changing whether we like it or not.  The future isn’t “either/or.” It’s both/and.   And the leaders who recognize that are already shaping what comes next.

→ If you’re exploring ways to design PD that builds teacher capacity, don’t miss Building Capacity Through Teacher-Led Professional Development: A Protocol.

Key Takeaways for School Leaders

Here’s the bottom line: K12 homeschooling isn’t a passing trend. It’s part of a larger movement toward personalized, flexible learning.  

By reimagining what “school” means, leaders can strengthen — not shrink — their influence in this evolving educational landscape.

Because when schools offer meaningful options — hybrid pathways, strong virtual programs, flexible enrollment — they don’t compete with homeschooling. They collaborate with it and enhance it.

And that’s the future of education: connected, adaptable, and built around students — not systems.

👉 Want done-for-you professional development tools and continued access to time-saving resources each month?  That’s exactly what you get inside our Behind the Desk membership, designed to make your lives easier.