Oklahoma among top states for homeschooling growth

Oklahoma ranked among the top states for homeschooling participation, according to recent data analyzed by Newsweek and the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy. The report places Oklahoma in the 7 to 8.99 percent range for homeschooled students, one of the highest brackets nationally. Only three states report homeschool rates above 9%. 

Oklahoma shares its bracket with 12 other states, including Wyoming, South Carolina and Virginia. Alaska leads the nation at more than 16%, followed by Tennessee and Montana. On the other end, states like Connecticut and Massachusetts have rates closer to 3%. 

Nationally, 5.92% of school-aged children were homeschooled during the 2023–2024 school year. In comparison, 9.92% attended private schools and 84.16% were enrolled in public schools. Homeschooling saw a modest year-over-year increase of 0.1 percentage point, suggesting continued interest after the significant rise seen during the pandemic. 

Oklahoma’s higher-than-average participation reflects broader national shifts in education preferences. Surveys conducted by Pew Research Center and the National Center for Education Statistics point to several factors influencing parents' decisions. Safety concerns, dissatisfaction with academic instruction and the desire for more personalized learning were among the most cited reasons. 

Many parents began homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic out of necessity. For some, that experience led to long-term changes in how they viewed traditional schooling. Families reported that individualized instruction helped students stay engaged and achieve better outcomes, particularly for those with special education needs or advanced learning styles. 

Moral, religious and cultural values also influence homeschooling decisions. A significant portion of parents reported choosing homeschooling to align education with family beliefs and priorities. Others highlighted flexibility and the ability to tailor instruction around health conditions, travel or nontraditional living arrangements. 

While homeschooling rates have leveled out compared to the peak of the pandemic, experts expect participation to remain steady. Technology, peer networks and access to custom curricula are making homeschooling more accessible. However, the approach can still be demanding in terms of time, resources and planning, which may limit how much further growth occurs. 

For Oklahoma families, the state’s relatively high homeschool rate signals ongoing interest in education options beyond the classroom. With national attention on personalized learning and parental involvement, the state is part of a broader trend redefining what education looks like in a post-pandemic era.  

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