North Carolina ranks No. 4 nationwide for growing homeschool population

What do North Carolina, Vermont, Delaware and Alaska have in common?

They all rank highest in the nation for homeschool growth, the Fox affiliate in North Carolina recently reported.

“According to an analysis of US Census Bureau data from July 23 to Aug. 19 of 2024, North Carolina ranked fourth out of all 50 states, with just over 10% of kids homeschooled,” writes Madison Forsey. “That’s roughly 400,000 kids out of the almost four million who reported.”

Alaska ranks first, with Delaware second and Vermont third.

Helen Skeen, a former educator and mom of three, is one of these newer North Carolina homeschoolers. She began homeschooling her twins, then in kindergarten, during the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020.

“We’re getting ready to start the Narnia series, and I just know they’ll build their own wardrobes and things like that,” Skeen said. “I think that’s so precious. … Those things sink in when learning, and that’s what I want to instill is the joy of learning.” 

‘Bullying is a very big issue’ 

Jessica Frierson, media manager for North Carolinians for Home Education, told journalists common reasons for homeschooling include educational safety and more time with family. 

“We usually have an uptick when there’s been a school shooting,” she said. “Bullying is a very big issue, and we have a lot of parents that say, ‘No. My kid is not going back. That’s it.’” 

Homeschool laws vary by state, and North Carolina’s legal procedures are relatively homeschool-friendly, according to Frierson. 

“You go to the NC DOA [North Carolina Department of Administration] website, and it’s a pretty simple process.” 

Startup costs vary widely – from free to whatever amount the family decides works best for their needs, Frierson said. 

“It’s a tradeoff. The more money you put into it, the less work for the parent. The less money you put into it, the more work for the parent.” 

Frierson also pointed to “a lot of free resources” for homeschoolers, including the library and internet. 

“Most homeschoolers look at life as the learning begins at birth, and it doesn’t end,” she explained. “There’s more opportunity for kids to develop the skills of learning – not what we learn, but the skill of learning.” 

‘Accountability for past plans, and past failures?’ 

The growth in homeschooling comes as the Tar Heel state faces increasing criticism over its public-school system, which has been experiencing a substantial number of chronically absent students. 

Analysts of a recent strategic plan from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) pointed out a lack of focus on academics. 

“If we are to glean the guts of the plan from the eight pillars, I’m not encouraged,” said Dr. Robert Luebke, director of the Center for Effective Education at the John Locke Foundation. “Where is the emphasis on academic excellence? The topic is not even specifically mentioned in any of the eight pillars.” 

If the plan misses any of its targets – including a higher four-year graduation rate and ACT composite score by 2030 – the department fails to provide much detail on any consequences, Luebke argued. 

“Where is the accountability for past plans, and past failures?” he said. “Has the State Board of Education or NCDPI paid a price for missing goals? A plan for correcting those oversights might be a good place to start.”