Are classrooms giving way to homes in New York?

In New York, the number of families choosing to educate their children at home instead of traditional schools is experiencing a striking increase. Recent data reveal that the number of children receiving home education in the state has risen by more than three floors in 15 years, while debates over academic performance in public schools have resurfaced.

Number of Children Receiving Home Education Exceeds 53,000

According to an analysis of New York State Department of Education data by the New York Post, 53,905 children are receiving home education statewide in the 2025‑2026 school year.

This figure indicates an increase of over 200 percent compared to the 2009‑2010 school year. In other words, the number of children receiving home education in New York has risen by more than three floors in roughly 15 years.

The past decade's data also illustrate the scale of the rise. The number of students receiving home education, which was 23,875 in 2016, has reached 53,905 by 2026.

Number in New York City Exceeds 14,000

The shift toward home education is also drawing attention in New York City. According to recent data, more than 14,000 children in the city are continuing their schooling from home.

There is not a single reason behind families' choices. Crowded classrooms, the desire to provide children with a more individualized education, flexible lesson schedules, and concerns about academic performance in public schools are cited as prominent factors.

According to a study reported by the New York Post, some parents who provide home education believe they can give their children a more intensive and academically robust education than what is offered in traditional public schools.

Reading and Math Success Under Debate

During the period when interest in home education is rising, the academic performance of students in New York is also at the center of the debate.

According to analyses of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, about 31% of fourth- and eighth-graders in New York achieved proficiency in reading. In mathematics, the proficiency rate was 37% for fourth-graders and 26% for eighth-graders.

These results, while strengthening the debate over the educational performance of public schools in New York, are considered one of the reasons some families are turning to alternative education models.

There Are Specific Rules for Home Education

In New York, homeschooling does not mean that children are taken out of school and taught at home without any oversight.

Families must notify the school district to which they belong, prepare a personalized home‑education plan for their child, and submit progress reports throughout the year. Students are also expected to meet the education and assessment standards set by the state.

The latest data from New York show that home education has evolved from a niche alternative chosen by a limited number of families into a rapidly expanding educational model. The growth of over 200 percent in 15 years highlights the shift in families’ attitudes toward the traditional education system.