FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2005
Contact: Kathleen Chambers
505-984-6289, kathleens@mothering.com


Why Millions of Children Love Home School

Mothering magazine investigates the myths and the facts about America’s fastest-growing educational movement: homeschooling.


  • Homeschooling is not a fringe movement. The US Census Bureau reports that in 2001, more than 2 million children were being homeschooled in the US alone, and the number is rising at the astounding rate of 15 to 20 percent per year.

  • Homeschooling is not primarily a religious phenomenon. According to the US Census Bureau and other sources, in 2000, only 33 percent of homeschooling parents cited religion as a reason for homeschooling. 50.8 percent cited a belief that their children could get a better education, 29.8 percent stated that school offers a poor learning environment, and 11.5 percent said that their children were not being challenged in school.

  • Homeschooling does not deprive children of proper socialization. Due to the excellent teacher-student ratio that homeschoolers enjoy, and the lack of time-consuming administrative tasks such as attendance taking, busywork, etc., the academic aspects of homeschooling require only a fraction of the time necessary for the same tasks in a conventional school setting, leaving lots of extra time for social activities.

  • Homeschoolers do not have a hard time getting into college. College admissions officers now seek out homeschoolers due to their excellent preparation for academic success at college. An article in Stanford Magazine indicates that Stanford has “special interest” in homeschoolers, and is “eager to embrace them” despite their lack of formal credentials.

In a survey of adults who had been homeschooled for at least seven years, 59 percent said they were “very happy” with life, while only 27.6 percent of the general population said they were “very happy” with life.

For more information and resources, read the featured stories in the July/August 2005 Mothering Magazine.

“Homeschooling’s True Colors” by Rachel Gathercole
“Homeschool Sweet Homeschool” A resource list for progressive learning by Emily Robin Jackson

Mothering is a bimonthly magazine that reports on natural family living. Articles cover pregnancy, childbirth options, midwifery, breastfeeding, educational alternatives, and family health issues. Check out www.mothering.com

Representatives of the media may obtain a complimentary copy of a particular issue and/or receive a complimentary subscription to Mothering Magazine by contacting Kathleen Chambers, Marketing Director, at kathleenc@mothering.com or call 505-984-6289.