Homeschooling 101
Let's look at the stats:
Numbers
National Standing: Florida leads the nation in the number of homeschooled children, with approximately 154,000 students.
154,000 homeschooled students marks a 58.6% increase over the past five years, up from 97,261 students in the 2017-2018 school year. www.fldoe.org
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As of the 2023-2024 school year, there are approximately 3.7 million homeschooled students in the United States.
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​Other countries with notable homeschooling populations include Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, but none have reached the scale seen in the U.S.
Higher Academic Achievement
​​Studies show that homeschoolers often score 15-30% higher on standardized tests compared to public school students.
They tend to perform well on college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT.
Nationally, homeschooled students have an average SAT score of 1190, compared to 1060 for public school students. Additionally, approximately 74% of homeschooled students pursue higher education, with about 67% graduating from college, compared to 59% of public school graduates.
Social/Well Being
A study analyzing survey data from 140 adults who were homeschooled found that they reported being well-connected in later life, with positive social interactions in both conventional and unconventional settings.
Harvard Kennedy School
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A comprehensive analysis by the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) concluded that homeschooled students exhibit social, emotional, and psychological development at or above the average levels of publicly schooled students.
NHEREI.org
Ready for the Real World
Homeschooling equips students with the skills they need to thrive in the real world by emphasizing independence, adaptability, and hands-on learning. Without the rigid structure of traditional schools, homeschoolers learn to manage their time, set goals, and take responsibility for their education—valuable skills for college, careers, and life. They often gain real-world experience through internships, travel, volunteer work, and entrepreneurship, giving them a head start in developing problem-solving and leadership abilities. Additionally, homeschoolers interact with people of all ages and backgrounds, strengthening their communication and social skills in ways that go beyond the traditional classroom. By learning in a flexible, real-world environment, homeschool students graduate not just with academic knowledge, but with the confidence and skills to navigate life successfully.