Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling

Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling

Homeschooling has grown from a niche practice to a thriving movement, reclaiming the role of parents as primary educators. But how do the statistics and realities presented here align with your own experiences? Have you seen the academic, social, or character outcomes of these two educational approaches reflected in your community and even within your own family? Read on to explore the striking differences and share your perspective.


Historical Evolution of Homeschooling

  • Colonial Era to 19th Century: Education began as a family-led effort. Parents used religious texts and practical apprenticeships to teach their children, placing equal emphasis on academics and moral character.

  • Early 20th Century: Compulsory education laws shifted learning to government institutions, sidelining parents from their children’s education.

  • The 1960s and 1970s: Educational reformers like John Holt and Raymond Moore questioned the effectiveness of public schools, championing homeschooling as a way to cultivate personalized, meaningful education. (Source: NHERI.org)

  • 1980s to Present: After a wave of legal challenges, homeschooling was fully legalized by the early 1990s, thanks in large part to the “pioneers” who then in many cases launched Christian State Homeschool Organizations (see HomeschoolFreedom.com). Millions now homeschool, with the movement growing even more rapidly following the COVID-19 pandemic as families sought alternatives to traditional education. (Source: HistoryOfHomeschooling.com)


Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling: A Sobering Comparison

Educational Environment

  • Homeschooling: A parent-led approach where the curriculum is tailored to meet the child’s unique needs while reinforcing the family’s values. It is as much about character development as it is academic success. Christian homeschool parents call this DISCIPLESHIP.

  • Public Schooling: A one-size-fits-all system designed for mass education. It functions primarily as outsourced child care, offering multiple hours per day of supervision but little guarantee of personalized learning or character-building. Homeschooling parents would submit that public schools also engage in DISCIPLESHIP, but that it looks different in the way students are influenced, primarily by State-led thinkers and the culture (ie: peers, assigned mentors, movies, music).

Costs

  • Homeschooling: According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), homeschooling families spend an average of $700–$1,800 per year per child. These costs cover materials, extracurricular activities, and resources, and they are a fraction of public school expenditures. Many current homeschoolers spend far less, however, opting to utilize a myriad of options available or if very low income, taking advantage of scholarships made available by platforms such as SchoolhouseTeachers.

  • Public Schooling: Funded by taxpayers, public schools cost an average of $12,612 per student annually, with some states reporting figures as high as $17,000 per student per year.

For comparison, a full membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com, a homeschooling platform offering over 400 courses for every grade level, costs less than $300 annually—for the entire family. Thousands of homeschooling families currently use the platform.

Parental Role

  • Homeschooling: Parents are at the center of their child’s education, guiding not just academics but moral and character development (biblical discipleship). Homeschooling creates deep bonds and produces well-rounded, confident learners. (Source: NHERI.org)

  • Public Schooling: Public education largely outsources the responsibility of teaching to government employees. While convenient, it often detaches parents from their children’s daily learning, leaving little room for oversight or influence. After years of this pattern, parents have reported a lack of relationship with their children (ie: “I don’t really know them.”)

Academic and Character Outcomes

  • Homeschooling: Research consistently shows that homeschooled students perform 15–30 percentile points higher on standardized tests than their public school peers. They also tend to excel in college and career settings, with a strong sense of self-discipline and moral grounding. (Source: NHERI.org)

  • Public Schooling: Public schools frequently report declining test scores, behavioral issues, and inconsistent character education. Political agendas often overshadow core academics, leaving many children ill-prepared for life’s challenges.


Reaching the Homeschool Market

For advertisers looking to tap into the rapidly growing homeschool market, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine stands as the leading publication in this space. With a dedicated audience of engaged parents actively seeking quality educational resources, it is the perfect platform to connect with homeschool families.

Marketers can also explore opportunities at www.Homeschool.Market, TOS's media kit for reaching homeschooling families with trusted products and services. If you provide educational products or services, this is your chance to place your brand directly in front of the decision-makers shaping the future of home education.

Conclusion

Homeschooling represents a return to intentional, parent-led education where academic success and moral integrity go hand in hand. Public schools, on the other hand, offer an outsourced model of education that prioritizes convenience over excellence, at an exorbitant cost to taxpayers.

Have these realities mirrored your own observations? Are the differences between these systems as stark in your community? Your insights matter—share them below.

Wendy Williams Ph.D-C/Ed.D.,Ed.S., M.Ed.,M.A

Administration (Curriculum & Instruction / Special Education Specialist / Assistant Principal)

1w

Yes Steve Rosenoff, there are plenty of great resources and people willing and able to help you with homeschooling. I’m a licensed public school teacher, with a consentration in Special Education, who will be one of the first to say, “I’m here!” My current Dissertation is based on public school and their assessments and our students /children.

Steve Rosenoff

Owner @ Red Wagon Tutorials | Online Science Education and Owner @ Pro 2A Plus One | Firearms Safety and Proficiency Training

1w

I was a public-school teacher, certified in 1999. For my service, I was given a lifetime substitute teaching certificate in 2020. Two years ago, I turned it back into the State when they demanded that I go through 32 hours per year of unpaid DEI training before substituting. And it gets worse, the students also receive the same forced "education" during their classes. Public schools are not academic centers. They are indoctrination camps for socialist doctrine. Please keep your children home. There are plenty of resources, people, and Church Schools waiting and willing to help you.

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