The sharp rise in U.S. homeschooling triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a lasting educational shift, as families move away from traditional classrooms in favor of greater flexibility and customized learning, according to a new report.
The analysis, authored by Mark E. Wildmon and Kenneth V. Anthony of Mississippi State University and originally published by The Conversation, reveals that more than 6% of school-age children—approximately 3.4 million students—are currently learning at home. This figure represents a significant increase from the 5.4% recorded just before the pandemic began in March 2020.
Contrary to initial assumptions that families would return to in-person instruction once health risks subsided, the researchers found that the forced school closures of 2020 served as an unplanned “trial” for many parents.
For those already inclined toward homeschooling, the pandemic provided a low-risk opportunity to experience the benefits without a permanent commitment.
“The pandemic alone didn’t drive this increase,” the authors noted, explaining that families who discovered tangible benefits during the lockdown chose to continue the practice.
Survey data indicated that 43% of parents perceived homeschooling as offering more advantages than public schooling, citing benefits such as increased family time and the ability to slow down.
The study, based on 2024 survey data from homeschooling networks, challenges the narrative that homeschooling is a luxury reserved for the wealthy. Instead, researchers found a stronger correlation between work schedule flexibility and the decision to homeschool than with family income.
Stay-at-home and self-employed parents were the most likely to continue homeschooling, with those working fewer than 10 hours per week outside the home showing the highest inclination to stay with the model to meet their children’s specific needs.
Key Findings:
Regional Growth: Homeschooling growth has been particularly robust in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States.
Record Enrollment: As of November 2025, more than one-third of the 30 states reporting data, along with Washington, D.C., hit record homeschooling enrollment.
Health Concerns Diminished: Over 60% of surveyed parents stated that COVID-19-related health mandates, such as masks or vaccinations, did not drive their long-term choice to homeschool.
Customization: Many parents realized their children did not require a full eight-hour classroom day to receive a quality education, preferring a customized environment.
The report suggests that school districts expecting a full return to pre-pandemic enrollment levels may be miscalculating the landscape. The researchers conclude that the pandemic did not necessarily create new demand so much as it revealed an “existing level of demand” for alternative education.
Legislators and educators may need to adapt regulations to better align with these shifting family priorities as homeschooling becomes a permanent fixture in the American educational system.