10 Telling Trends in Hybrid Homeschooling

Homeschooling has been around for most of recorded history, but hybrid homeschooling is a fairly new phenomenon. For hybrid homeschoolers, education takes on multiple dimensions, combining elements of both homeschooling and traditional schooling to take advantage of the best aspects of both. That means many hybrid homeschooling families study at home, with tutors, take classes with certified teachers, and even pursue outside educational activities to complete their curriculum. It’s a fun and enriching approach to education that is picking up steam, and we’ve noted several telling trends that say a lot about where hybrid homeschooling is today, and where it’s going.

1. More religious groups are getting on board:

   

   Hybrid homeschooling, and homeschooling in general has been incredibly popular among Evangelical Christians, but in recent years, the practice has expanded more broadly among Orthodox Jews as well. Although there are no concrete numbers to represent the amount of Jewish families adopting hybrid homeschooling, homeschoolers estimate that there are several hundred to even several thousand American Jewish families who are homeschooling their children in some fashion. Homeschooling is growing in Jewish circles, and hybrid homeschooling is of particular interest as it offers a more customized approach to education.

2. At-risk students are coming on board, too:

   

   Hybrid homeschooling is an attractive option for parents who want the opportunity to do a better job educating their children, but it’s also a great resource for families with at-risk students who won’t be educated otherwise. The traditional school setting doesn’t work for every student, and some of those students who don’t fit in with the traditional format will end up dropping out. But thanks to hybrid homeschooling and virtual schools, these students are able to study subjects they’re interested in under close progress monitoring from their parents and frequent parent-teacher communication that helps to keep the family informed and supportive every step of the way.

3. Hybrid homeschooling is going online:

   

   As college students increasingly flock to online classes, it’s only natural that online education branches out to other areas of instruction. Hybrid homeschooling families are following this trend, enrolling their young students in online K-12 programs that are often taught at home, or in mixed-age classrooms. Parents and teachers lead students through computer lessons, allowing them to complete customized curriculum in a group setting.

4. More homeschoolers are connecting socially through hybrid arrangements:

   

   Homeschoolers tend to have plenty of opportunities to connect with other students, but the trend of hybrid homeschooling offers even more ways to get together. Hybrid homeschoolers often have friends over to work on joint courses and other educational resources pieced together to create a complete curriculum. Others spend time with tutors and education groups, and siblings can even work together to complete courses online.

5. Students can come on campus without having to commit to a full school day:

   

   Once upon a time, students were either enrolled and on campus all day, or they weren’t. But with the rise of hybrid homeschooling, that’s changed in recent years. Some public schools are beginning to allow homeschoolers to come on campus for selected activities, like individual classes and after-school programs, allowing families to pick and choose the public education that they feel best serves their learning needs.

6. States are creating education savings accounts:

   

   You’ve probably heard of health savings accounts, but did you know that some families have the option of creating and using education savings accounts, too? Thanks to the growing trend of hybrid homeschooling, Arizona students can deposit their child’s share of federal education funds into a private bank account, and then use that account to access funds for tuition at individual schools, pay for online classes, or even purchase tutoring and school supplies.

7. Homeschooling is becoming increasingly tailored to each student’s interests:

   

   With a “rich portfolio of options” for students, children are able to take advantage of lots of freedom and customization in education. Through hybrid homeschooling, students can choose specific programs, often in music, arts, and sports, combining them with online classes in their interests, as well as private tutoring and class meetings. With this arrangement, parents are able to bring in lessons that are specifically tailored to each child’s interest.

8. Hybrid homeschoolers are seeing lots of positive support from local school systems:

   

   School systems may have felt a little shut out by homeschoolers who in the past avoided public schools completely, but in a hybrid homeschooling arrangement that takes advantage of certain public school programs, school systems are much more welcome and open to supporting homeschool families. Many hybrid homeschooling families report that they’ve enjoyed lots of positive support and feedback from their local school systems.

9. Homeschoolers are going tuition free:

   

   Thanks to a variety of programs available, homeschoolers are able to enjoy tuition-free online education programs. Online school options are often available in states that offer free access to homeschool education programs, like K12.

10. Homeschooling numbers are growing:

    

    It’s estimated that there are between 1.7 and 2.1 million children homeschooled in the U.S. today, and that number is in an upward swing, with a growth rate of 7 to 15% each year, particularly over the last two decades. Much of this may be thanks to the proliferation of hybrid homeschooling, allowing families many more options when it comes to customized home education as they bring in a combination of private tutoring, educational programs, group classes, and even online courses.