Homeschooling enrollment in Pennsylvania has surged by 72% since the 2019-2020 academic year, according to recent data from the state’s Department of Education.
While the vast majority of students—approximately 97.42%—remained in public school districts during the 2024-2025 term, the number of families choosing alternative education remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The trend is particularly pronounced in central Pennsylvania. Lancaster County reported the state’s highest concentration of home-educated students with nearly 5,000 enrollments in the last academic year, followed by York County with approximately 3,200.
Industry experts and parents attribute this shift to a lasting change in perspective following the COVID-19 pandemic. Families who initially transitioned to home education for health or safety reasons cited increased family togetherness and the flexibility of non-traditional schedules as primary reasons for sticking with the model.
“Time just became such an impactful, powerful thing that we stuck with it,” Sarah O’Donald, a mother of four who began homeschooling during the pandemic told WHP. She noted that her children now “love learning more” because they can study at parks, on vacation, or even late at night without the pressure of a traditional school schedule.
Beyond standard homeschooling, private tutoring—where families hire certified teachers to meet compulsory education requirements—has also seen a sharp rise of 77% since 2019-2020. Furthermore, enrollment in both elementary and secondary age groups for home education has grown by more than 10% just since the 2022-2023 school year.
State policy has evolved to accommodate this growing demographic. As of the 2023-2024 school year, Pennsylvania law now mandates that all home-schooled students be allowed to participate in cocurricular classes, academic courses, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs within their resident school districts. Data indicates that the number of home-schooled students taking advantage of these district resources is steadily increasing.
Educational institutions are also pivoting to serve this market. Programs like “Spring Homeschool Day” at Hershey Gardens provide hands-on learning in aquatic ecosystems, allowing families to learn together across multiple grade levels.
Despite more than 90% of school districts now offering their own online curriculum options, families continue to migrate toward independent home education programs. For those making the switch, local support networks and specialized co-ops have become increasingly available to provide curriculum resources and social opportunities.