I write to correct some misconceptions and fill some holes left by the Key Peninsula News article “Homeschooling Attracts Many Key Peninsula Families” (November 2024). At best, it painted an incomplete picture.
With around 400 homeschool families in the Peninsula School District alone, this community is robust and thriving. When I reached out for responses to the article, I received over 200 in just a few hours. Jen Garrison Stuber, the advocacy chair for the Washington Homeschool Organization, also provided some facts and figures: There are currently 29,467 home-educating families in Washington state; 4,257 live in Pierce and Kitsap counties.
While public school is both a choice and a necessity for some, this is not true for all. I found that around 30% of my respondents are homeschooling because their child or family structure doesn’t fit into the traditional public school framework for one reason or another. Another 30% desired increased flexibility due to frequent moves or travel. The remaining 40% had reasons that included bullying, medical issues, personal values, or having been homeschooled themselves.
Some local parents shared their reasons with me.
Jen Dudley said, “Each family makes the decision to homeschool based on each family and student’s needs. They are meeting a need that wouldn’t otherwise be met.” Holly Baker said, “I want my kids to learn from real-life experiences as much as possible. I believe in child-led learning, which allows them to focus on and grow skills they are interested in.” Lexi Recknagle said, “I don’t have to worry about my kids being exposed to foods they don’t tolerate or exposure to mold and other potential allergens in a public school setting.”
Family backgrounds can also be very diverse. It’s a damaging misconception that one must have money and a two-parent household to educate children outside the typical public school structure. Out of the respondents to my public inquiry, approximately 25% reported that both parents work while another 15% said they are single working parents. That’s 40% who don’t have the luxury of one parent staying at home.
I myself am a single, working mom with limited income. Despite this, homeschooling is important to our family, and we make it work. I am a consistent advocate for showing others how homeschooling can work for any family if it’s what that family wants.
Just over 50% of respondents said they live at or below the poverty line in order to homeschool their children. Only 1% considered themselves wealthy.
Parent Zoei Oyana said, “Homeschooling is rarely a luxury; it’s more often a sacrifice for the tradeoff of getting the extra time with our kids and giving them the education they deserve.” Mima Cole said, “All anyone has to do is show up at most co-ops and see. Most of us are not wealthy by any means.”
It is also a misconception that homeschoolers are cloistered in a private bubble. We are out in the world availing ourselves of everything the extended community has to offer.
Just on the Key Peninsula, we have a weekly co-op, farm class, nature program, sewing class, a Classical Conversations group and homeschool roller skating. The surrounding homeschool community also has various other classes, co-ops and activities including art, music, science, history, writing, sports, drama and more. Homeschool parents themselves are out there supporting each other with babysitting, carpools, co-education, curriculum ideas and just plain old emotional and parenting support. These families are consistently enriching and building their children’s lives every chance they get.
The requirements in Washington are also stringent. In order to homeschool, teachers must have 30 semester units of college-level credit or complete a Wash- ington State homeschool qualifying course; work with a certified teacher for at least one hour per week; or receive approval from the local school district superintendent. We teach required subjects 180 days per year, or about 1,000 hours on a more flexible schedule than public schools. Our students take an annual Washington State standardized achievement test or undergo an annual state-certified assessment.
Washington Homeschool Organization also provided some facts and figures on testing. ACT.org collects test data on homeschoolers versus public schoolers and their results show that, on average, homeschoolers score 22.9 on the ACT, whereas public schoolers score 20.3.
However, this data is just one measure by which we can determine any schoolaged child’s success. The true long-term measures of success for any child are the ability to learn and grow their interests, ability to interact with others of varying ages and abilities and ability to continue to grow toward independence as they gradually move to adulthood. Homeschoolers consistently meet and exceed these measures; so well so, that as adults they no longer stand out for their educational past.
It is fair to say that parents are fully equipped to teach their own children and teach them well.
In summary, if you choose to homeschool, rest assured there is a large, diverse and supportive community out there to help your whole family thrive and grow.
Your children will never lack for activities and socialization, and their test scores and success rates will likely improve. Home education can fit any family and any situation, and can actually benefit your child and family in many ways.
Sanna Olsen is a member of the Key Peninsula Homeschool Co-Op Board.