Is Homeschooling Practical For New Englanders?

My daughter and her husband plan to homeschool their children, as they live in a very rural part of Western Massachusetts.

This did not surprise me because they are well-educated medical professionals who value travel, exploration, life skills and creativity.

In looking further, the reasons why New Englanders, in particular, opt for homeschooling are interesting and different than some of the other states in America which are far more relaxed with education.

It really depends on the priorities of the state, whether it's academic excellence, catering to different learning styles, religious values, or simply a better schedule.

Homeschooling in New England reflects some unique characteristics compared to the broader homeschooling trends in the United States. New England states, known for their strong emphasis on education, generally have more stringent regulations for homeschooling.

Families are required to submit detailed educational plans, maintain thorough records, and participate in regular assessments to ensure that homeschooled children meet the state’s educational standards.

The driving force is a dissatisfaction with public schools, and safety issues, which skyrocketed during Covid. Many families have since opted for homeschooling, but it's not easy.

In New England, the focus is on community-based learning whereby a small group homeschool together, using historical sites, museums, lubaries, farms and other local opportunities to learn by seeing or doing it first-hand.

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Homeschooling is rigorous but well-rounded, which is why our family chose this educational route for Kindergarten through 12th grade. According to nheri.org, 6% of America's children are homeschooled.

In New England, Vermont has the highest percentage of homeschooled families at nearly 17%, according to education.jhu.edu. Since Covid, Vermont has relaxed their rules a bit, allowing more children access to good homeschooling environments.

New Hampshire has an impressive number as well, at 5.6%, Maine at 6%, Rhode Island at 4.4%, Massachusetts at 1.7%, and Connecticut at 0.3%.

According to babwell.com, homeschoolers typically "score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests".

The upshot is that homeschooling continues to grow as families struggle with schedules, safety, and quality learning which fits their child's needs.

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