100 Reasons to Homeschool

The number of home educated children is growing every year in the United States, and the reasons people choose to homeschool are numerous.

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Some of these reasons are of an educational nature, some are practical, and many are personal or relational.

Sure, homeschooling isn’t for everyone, but it can be an amazing alternative to public or private school when your child’s schooling is falling short of your expectations for one reason or another.

If you are still on the fence about homeschooling, some of these 100 reasons to homeschool just might convince you to take the plunge!

If you homeschool already, I would love to hear your “why” in the comments below.

Related Post: How to Start Homeschooling Your Child – In 5 Steps

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100 Reasons to Homeschool

Academic Reasons

1. Quality education no matter the school district a family lives in

2. Consistent schooling despite moving

3. Not relying on the government for a child’s education

4. Higher quality education (studies show that homeschooled students perform better than their public-schooled peers)

5. Homeschoolers generally perform better on standardized tests

6. Homeschooled students tend to stay in school longer

7. Homeschooled students tend to be more prepared for college, perform better in college, and are more likely to graduate.

(You can find statistics about homeschooling here.)

8. No reason to worry about finding quality curriculum with so many options available these days

9. So much support for homeschooling available these days

10. The freedom to school by any philosophy or method – even unschooling through a child-led approach

11. Freedom to tailor curriculum/method to child’s individual needs and learning style

12. More freedom in choosing subject matter

13. More time to learn real life skills

14. Control how child is taught about sensitive issues

15. Control when a child is taught about sensitive issues

16. Freedom to start school or certain subjects at an earlier or later age based on child’s developmental readiness

17. Greater opportunity to cultivate a love of learning in child

18. Child can more easily become a life-long learner when education is tailored specifically to him/her

19. Child learns for the purpose of learning, not for the purpose of getting good test grades

20. Parent can take the head in child’s education and have the say-so

21. Shorter school days

22. More time to study/practice for a future occupation, trade, or business endeavor

23. More time to study an instrument or craft or learn a sport

24. Child can study more of what interests him/her

25. More time for child to pursue passions and hobbies

26. Less age segregation than in a classroom setting – generations can learn from each other and kids can relate to and socialize with every age group

27. Child can be a part of school planning

28. Child can discuss topics with parents freely

29. Read more books

30. Kids learn more of what will actually pertain to their future as their education is tailored to them personally.

31. More opportunity for a child to become a learner and a thinker

32. More time to earn duel credit during highschool to save time and money for college later

33. Can study fine arts in depth

34. Can do nature study

35. No school bells – learning doesn’t have to be interrupted as much during a school day so subjects can relate to each other and to real life more

36. Avoid poor teachers

37. Learn the full scope of history

38. Opportunity for greater creativity and individuality for child

39. Child doesn’t have to be confined by a particular grade level

40. Child doesn’t have to be labeled by a particular educational strength or weakness

41. More individual help for a child when struggling with a subject

42. Child can learn at his/her own pace

43. Child can study certain topics more in-depth

44. School can happen anytime during the day

45. School can happen anywhere

46. Learning through experiences more often instead of just textbooks

47. Parent continues to learn and grow educationally alongside child

Practical Reasons

48. Less wasted time during school day (waiting for peers, driving or school bus, waiting in line, being distracted by peers in a classroom setting, etc.)

49. Follow a daily schedule that works for a family’s needs (the school day can start and end anytime of day) and plug subjects in the way that works best

50. Follow a custom weekly schedule, planning each day of the week in the way that works best

51. Create a custom yearly schedule – schooling year-round or taking breaks when needed

52. Work school schedule around parents’ work schedules

53. Freedom to travel at any time during the school year

54. Avoid crowds by going on outings during school hours or trips during the school year

55. Attend special days with less crowds at amusement parks, museums, aquariums, and more that are hosted just for homeschoolers

56. More play time for child

57. More rest time for child

58. Child less worn out at the end of the school day

59. Spend more time outdoors

60. Sick days don’t mean falling behind

61. Avoid school closures or regulations due to health concerns (like Covid-19)

62. Contract less illness/lice from other kids at school

63. No morning rush to get kids to school

64. Give a working parent more time with child

65. Save money on private or charter school

66. Take breaks or change directions freely as needed

67. Mom doesn’t have to wake younger siblings to get older kids to school and pick them up later

68. Eat healthier lunches at home

69. No public school fundraisers

70. No heavy backpacks

71. Less waste of school supplies

Personal/Relational Reasons

72. Ability to preserve your family’s culture or raise your children bilingually

73. Parent better knows what is going on in the child’s world

74. Invest in a child’s life in a greater way and disciple them

75. More help/attention for a child with a learning disability

76. More consistent support for a child with behavioral problems

77. Child can be more sheltered when they are little and so malleable

78. Less pressure for child to conform to the standards and styles of others – they are free to be themselves

79. Leave a negative school environment

80. Ability to choose the community a child is part of

81. Be safer from potential school shootings/violence

82. Be free from restricting safety measures in place to prevent school shootings/violence

83. Less influence toward drug/alcohol use and sex

84. Less influence overall from peers, more influence from adults and family members

85. Freedom to teach faith, character, morals, or values as part of school studies

86. More time for kids to be involved in the community or with church

87. Homeschooling grows parents’ and child’s character as challenges are overcome together

88. No bullies

89. No cliques

90. More family time

91. Family members can learn and work together more and so have more in common

92. Family relationships become a priority and child learns to value family more

93. Potentially tighter-knit family and better sibling relationships

94. No increased sibling fighting during school breaks

95. No extra stress for child on Sunday nights about the school week beginning the next day

96. Child can grow in independence as they learn to manage their day and time for themselves

97. No homework in the evenings

98. Less school-related anxiety and depression with less pressure at home

99. Potential for a more out-of-the-box, visionary family life

100. Parent not missing out seeing child’s educational milestones first hand

So there you have 100 educational, practical, and personal/relational reasons to homeschool! Can you think of others?