New York observes second-highest rate of growth in homeschooling nationwide

Despite New York’s reputation as a high-regulation homeschool state, its families are turning to home education in record numbers.

“New York’s homeschooling rates have jumped 178% over the past decade, surpassing growth in charter and private schools,” notes FingerLakes1.com, a local digital media outlet. “This trend continues despite the state’s stringent homeschooling regulations, which include mandatory quarterly reports, standardized testing, and the absence of eligibility for a state diploma.”

An estimated 50,000 students are homeschooling in the Empire State. Only Washington, D.C., surpasses New York in terms of homeschool growth nationwide, according to a Washington Post report.

“The rise is most notable in New York City, where homeschooling increased by 324%, particularly in Brooklyn and the Bronx,” the FingerLakes1.com reported. 

One homeschooling mom, Léa Bouillon, helps her three children learn about classical arts and music through her experience as an opera singer with a degree in French literature. 

“What is wonderful about homeschooling is that you really get to think about your own education all over again and maybe reconsider your own strengths and weaknesses and how they can be improved,” she told Spectrum News. 

Local libraries such as the Greece Public Library have responded to the increase by offering “homeschool kits” for parents to borrow as needed. 

These kits provide supplemental materials ranging from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to foreign languages, according to librarian April Newman. 

“It’ll be things that people don’t have in their homeschool curriculum, per se, but they want to have an add-on,” she said, adding she has spent over a year making these kits. “So it’s really helpful for the parents if we give them some new materials.” 

Bouillon agrees, saying she has appreciated the number of materials available to homeschool parents. 

“I think it used to be that there weren’t a lot of resources for some parts of homeschooling. And now thankfully there are so many resources.” 

Although these resources can help reduce some costs, homeschooling still incurs a form of double taxation for parents. 

New York’s public schools “keep both the local and federal dollars allotted for each (homeschool) student,” explains Emily D’Vertola for the Empire Center for Public Policy, a think tank based in Albany. 

“Homeschooling families in New York pay for all educational materials and expenses out-of-pocket,” she writes. “Meanwhile, they continue to pay taxes in support of the public school system they are not using.” 

D’Vertola explored some reasons why parents choose this financial sacrifice, including dissatisfaction with public schools. 

“I attended public schools all the way through,” she quoted one homeschool mom, who moved from Washington state to central New York. “Our plan all along was to send our four kids to public school. Yet when it came time to send our eldest, I was dismayed by what I observed during the tour.” 

The homeschool environment in Washington state was “very friendly” to homeschoolers, this mom said. 

“They can go to school part-time there. They can play sports in the schools. They can join clubs. They have the option to be mentored by teachers. They have learning resource centers that are funded by the state. If we had that (in New York), we would take advantage of it. It’s not easy being closed off from all the school opportunities and activities.” 

D’Vertola also notes the number of requirements placed on New York’s homeschool families, from individualized home instruction plans to quarterly reports and yearly assessments. 

Additionally, the state will not allow homeschool students to receive a high school diploma, although families can request an equivalency letter from their local high school. 

“It is ironic that demand for homeschooling has increased so quickly in New York, a state that presents so many barriers to the practice,” D’Vertola wrote. “Imagine how many more parents might also make a different choice for their child (homeschooling or otherwise) if they had the power to do so.”