The number of children being homeschooled in New York has increased by over 200% in the last 15 years, with more than 53,905 students now educated at home statewide. In New York City alone, over 14,000 children are homeschooled. This growth rate surpasses that of charter schools, with homeschooling enrollment rising nearly 8% since 2023 compared to 3.1% for charters.
Parents are increasingly choosing home education due to concerns about the performance of the public school system, which has been described as struggling with "an illiteracy and innumeracy crisis." This trend has seen homeschooling outpace even the growth of charter schools in the state. Zilvinas Silenas, president of the Empire Center for Public Policy, noted that New York spends approximately $37,000 per child, yet lags behind states like Mississippi in reading and mathematics proficiency, suggesting that for some parents, homeschooling is a preferable alternative to the current public system.
Many parents express frustration with overcrowded classrooms and subpar academic results. Laurie Block Spigel, a homeschooling advocate, highlighted that large class sizes can intimidate students and that the current emphasis on testing may be hindering genuine comprehension and a love for reading. An analysis by Success Academy Charter Schools found that in over 900 New York City public schools, fewer than half of students met proficiency in math or reading on state exams, with many of these schools appearing on state "accountability" lists for years.
Adrienne Jensen, a mother of four, initially had reservations about homeschooling but grew distrustful of the public education system. She found that homeschooling offered a more rigorous and quality education than she felt was available in traditional schools. For Jensen, the benefits evolved from academic rigor to include greater flexibility and time for real-world learning experiences. Her children engage in activities at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Historical Society, participate in clubs, and take field trips across the city.
Surveys indicate that a significant portion of homeschooling parents cite concerns about the school environment, dissatisfaction with academic instruction, and a desire for more family time as reasons for choosing home education. Vivianne Wright, for instance, began homeschooling her academically gifted daughter when her work schedule conflicted with the child's school calendar. Wright prioritizes nurturing her daughter's curiosity through in-depth studies and creative projects.
Carolina Brinkman, another parent, opted for homeschooling to ensure her children could spend more time with their father, whose work schedule involves overnight hours. She describes learning alongside her children as a rewarding experience.
While some research suggests homeschooled children can perform as well as or better than their traditionally schooled peers academically and socially, experts caution about the importance of social development. Clinical psychologist Dr. Wildaliz Caro and Dr. Connie McReynolds emphasize that social development requires opportunities to resolve conflicts, navigate differences, and build sustained relationships outside the family. They advise parents to consider what might be lost alongside the potential gains of homeschooling.
However, advocates like Spigel argue that children who thrive in traditional schools tend to remain there, and that the current system may not be conducive to all learners. New York State requires parents to notify their school district, file an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), track attendance, and submit quarterly progress reports. The curriculum must cover 180 days of instruction, including subjects like English, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, art, and music, with annual assessments. Parents do not need a teaching certificate but must meet state requirements for their home classroom.
Unlike some other states, New York does not offer educational choice vouchers that would provide public funds for homeschooling. Despite this, parents like Jensen and Wright value the autonomy and freedom that homeschooling provides, believing that government funding could lead to increased regulation and diminish the independence that makes homeschooling appealing. They assert that the freedom to determine curriculum and teaching methods is a core benefit.