I think a lot of the public school bashing can happen in a misguided attempt to fortify a homeschooling parent’s own confidence in their decision. Most homeschoolers I know have a gut feeling and/or strong desire to homeschool, and an equally strong fear that they’re making the wrong choice—that if they don’t outdo the public school system in every way, they will fail their kids.
Further, naming what is wrong with the status quo and vowing to change it intentionally is something many homeschoolers find themselves doing as they solidify their vision for their homeschools or seek to justify their decision to homeschool to their partners, their in-laws, their neighbors, the grocery store clerk…. It’s easy to get catty, critical, defensive, and “holier-than-thou” if we’re not careful.
I also see homeschool bashing as a trap we fall into when we are de-schooling ourselves or our kids, or healing from complex or acute trauma we experienced on public school grounds. Naming trauma is part of healing, and we need to tell our stories as part of that process. In this state of grieving, it’s often easy to make sweeping generalizations that vilify an institution—and even sometimes the people in it. Further along in the healing journey comes a more expansive grace, the ability to hold nuance and complexity, an allowance for multiple truths and equally valid perspectives.
One of the most beautiful gifts a veteran homeschool mom gave me when I was new on this journey (and more judgmental and prideful and scared than I realized), was her definition of public school:
A tool.
After I lost a friend by unknowingly offending her as I preached my parenting and educational ideals to her, I decided I would remember and respect public school as one of many tools people use to educate their kids. That perspective has served me far better than glorifying homeschool and looking down on anything else.
So true! I think we tend to vilify the other - much to the detriment of our society. I used to work at private schools and the kids there also bashed public schools. "They are so wild! There are always fights!" (Meanwhile, there was a prescription drug problem among the affluent students at my school)
As someone who's used multiple schooling options for my three kids, I find homeschool families are often appalled I could consider school, and school families are appalled I choose homeschooling!
What’s so interesting is that many, many parents who home educate are the product of public schools (like me!). I felt confident enough to try homeschooling in part because my education, though it has holes - everyone’s does! - gave me a firm foundation. While our public educations can reveal the flaws in the system, we rarely talk about the tools we have gained - both/and.
I say it all the time. I had a tremendous public school experience. In fact, it was my public education that made me want to homeschool—I wanted to have the joy of doing the projects with my kids and seeing the lights go on. I have adopted many of the cool tactics my teachers used in the 1970s with my own children.
Has public education changed? Definitely. I am interested in being a voice for change too.
You've put words to the feelings I've had! Thank you. I've recently been trying to think of how I can support our public schools even though we homeschool. I want to supppoort all forms of education. I had a great education in public school, taught a decade in private school, and now homeschool my daughters. I'm thankful for each form of education and how it has enriched my life!
So glad you’re sharing this. My kids have both homeschool and public school friends. They participate in both homeschool and public school extra curriculars. I’m grateful they get to participate in both worlds, each giving them something different and equally important on their learning/life journeys.
Yes yes yes. We’ve done both public and homeschool depending on my family’s needs at the time and this is part of why I still follow you even now that we are solidly in public. This is so important.
This article/podcast was just in The Atlantic a couple days ago and I couldn't help but to think of it when reading your post. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on it and would love to hear a discussion with the author of the book on your podcast!
This is exactly why you’re one of the only homeschool educators I still follow Julie. My kids have been in public school for the last two years and it’s been great for everyone - if we had to go back to homeschool we would, but for now it’s amazing. For my big kids expansion, for my special needs kids growth & socialization, and for my mental health!
I enjoyed this post. I have been guilty of broadly criticizing government schooling, especially in my younger years. Over many years of homeschooling, I have developed more nuanced views on public schools. Especially after touring our local schools, interacting with teachers and principals, and sitting on a board for our local school district. Schools are full of people who are trying to do their best for kids.
I also think it's a "Yes, and..." As Fran Liberatore wrote about this week, how can we expect schools to help us raise free people, when they are rooted in tools of oppression? https://substack.com/home/post/p-157264745?source=queue
And yet, schools can still be a good fit for some kids. For many more, it's the best option their families currently see as possible. And we can still do better in making more choices available for more families, and especially more educational options rooted in the belief of liberation for children.
We definitely need to reevaluate how schools achieve their goals. I often think of the homeschooling movement as a critique of modern education. I think it’s important that we create that critique or no change occurs. But it’s also true that our communities are strongest when everybody gets a valuable and effective education. And most people will get that through public school.
Thanks for the shout-out Marni! Like you said, I’m a big supporter of a publicly-funded system of care and education - we need it. And, I object to the current system’s premise and the way it is rooted in coercion. I think we need radical change, and I also don’t think homeschooling is a viable solution!
Big time fan of your work anyway, but this is the best thing I’ve read in a long time by anyone in homeschooling.
My oldest did 4 years school, 7 homeschool and now, unexpectedly due to his choice mainly for more opportunities to play music with others, back in school for the final couple of years (1 done, 1 or 2 to go). We were lucky enough to start homeschooling by accident (not through bullying or learning needs not met as some do). I certainly went through a transition where I embraced homeschooling fully and saw too many flaws with schooling. But luckily we didn’t demonise school, maintained friendships with a few school kids and the transition back was relatively easy.
I am glad my child had a reason and drive to go back, as although we could have tackled his needs for higher education at home, it has been far easier with specialised teachers to encourage (and nag) him!
I’m still homeschooling our 9 year old as we enjoy it and it works for us, but I’m slightly more mindful now to ensure she is making gradual progress in all areas. We are so privileged to have the option to use any method of schooling - and well aware some people don’t have choice. Some would love to homeschool but can’t for various reasons (usually economic or confidence). Some would love their child to be in school, but their child’s needs are not met there for various reasons (eg neurodiversity).
It is very difficult to effectively discuss and prevent burnout in homeschooling when so many parents are willing to tolerate almost any level of pressure and difficulty, rather than consider school as a coping strategy or sensible option. And demonising school is not healthy or helpful for anyone - parents or children/teenagers, yet it is too often normalised and encouraged. Needs a lot more discussion.
Thanks for this, totally agree! I went to private school in a different country before I moved to the US.
Despite some cultural shocks, I have always admired America's robust public infrastructure- schools, libraries etc. If the public schools in my country were half as good as the US, my parents wouldn't have paid an arm and leg to send me to private.
However, since moving to a poorer city with a lagging school district (19% at reading level, >9% at grade math level), I am so sad to see that the public schools are most times really a reflection of wealth and race divides that still plague this country...sigh
Yes yes yes. As a former teacher now homeschooler, I fully support public schools. I’ve had several people stop talking to me because I didn’t bash public education right along with them at homeschool events. I loved teaching, and I loved being in school. I’m sad public education in my area has morphed into such a testing focused approach, with little free time for kids to be kids and PLAY. I didn’t plan on homeschooling forever, and I don’t know that I still do. But with education and educators being vilified on so many levels, not to mention safety concerns on several levels, I can’t imagine putting her in that system. I hope, for everyone’s sake, that it gets better. Our society needs better.
I am a product of homeschooling through 7th grade, then public school through the end of high school. My primary homeschool years were in the 90s, so I saw all the good and bad parts of homeschooling. Now I’m a mom of 4 kids from 4-15. When our oldest was about to enter kindergarten, I assumed I would homeschool because everyone at our church did and I had a good experience homeschooling. But we found a public charter school and tried that and he and his brother excelled. We’ve since moved to a new state and now all 4 of my kids are in public school. We have the blessing of being in a well funded district with incredible educators and opportunities. My older boys have found their niche in marching band, something they couldn’t do here as a homeschooler. I have seen kids from all kinds of educational background both succeed and fail. While I think education matters, there are so many more variables that go into making successful adults.
I think a lot of the public school bashing can happen in a misguided attempt to fortify a homeschooling parent’s own confidence in their decision. Most homeschoolers I know have a gut feeling and/or strong desire to homeschool, and an equally strong fear that they’re making the wrong choice—that if they don’t outdo the public school system in every way, they will fail their kids.
Further, naming what is wrong with the status quo and vowing to change it intentionally is something many homeschoolers find themselves doing as they solidify their vision for their homeschools or seek to justify their decision to homeschool to their partners, their in-laws, their neighbors, the grocery store clerk…. It’s easy to get catty, critical, defensive, and “holier-than-thou” if we’re not careful.
I also see homeschool bashing as a trap we fall into when we are de-schooling ourselves or our kids, or healing from complex or acute trauma we experienced on public school grounds. Naming trauma is part of healing, and we need to tell our stories as part of that process. In this state of grieving, it’s often easy to make sweeping generalizations that vilify an institution—and even sometimes the people in it. Further along in the healing journey comes a more expansive grace, the ability to hold nuance and complexity, an allowance for multiple truths and equally valid perspectives.
One of the most beautiful gifts a veteran homeschool mom gave me when I was new on this journey (and more judgmental and prideful and scared than I realized), was her definition of public school:
A tool.
After I lost a friend by unknowingly offending her as I preached my parenting and educational ideals to her, I decided I would remember and respect public school as one of many tools people use to educate their kids. That perspective has served me far better than glorifying homeschool and looking down on anything else.
What a beautiful and clarifying post. Yes to all of it. <3
Wow I love your perspective and how you used a misstep with a friend to change your thinking. This is all so well said.
So true! I think we tend to vilify the other - much to the detriment of our society. I used to work at private schools and the kids there also bashed public schools. "They are so wild! There are always fights!" (Meanwhile, there was a prescription drug problem among the affluent students at my school)
As someone who's used multiple schooling options for my three kids, I find homeschool families are often appalled I could consider school, and school families are appalled I choose homeschooling!
What’s so interesting is that many, many parents who home educate are the product of public schools (like me!). I felt confident enough to try homeschooling in part because my education, though it has holes - everyone’s does! - gave me a firm foundation. While our public educations can reveal the flaws in the system, we rarely talk about the tools we have gained - both/and.
I say it all the time. I had a tremendous public school experience. In fact, it was my public education that made me want to homeschool—I wanted to have the joy of doing the projects with my kids and seeing the lights go on. I have adopted many of the cool tactics my teachers used in the 1970s with my own children.
Has public education changed? Definitely. I am interested in being a voice for change too.
You've put words to the feelings I've had! Thank you. I've recently been trying to think of how I can support our public schools even though we homeschool. I want to supppoort all forms of education. I had a great education in public school, taught a decade in private school, and now homeschool my daughters. I'm thankful for each form of education and how it has enriched my life!
I feel like I could’ve written this exact comment in its entirety! 😂 (except I would add “and my son”)
So glad you’re sharing this. My kids have both homeschool and public school friends. They participate in both homeschool and public school extra curriculars. I’m grateful they get to participate in both worlds, each giving them something different and equally important on their learning/life journeys.
Yes yes yes. We’ve done both public and homeschool depending on my family’s needs at the time and this is part of why I still follow you even now that we are solidly in public. This is so important.
I'm so glad you are still here!
Yes yes yes. Such an important thing to say in this era of either/or thinking and demonization of the "other" option. Life is complex!
This article/podcast was just in The Atlantic a couple days ago and I couldn't help but to think of it when reading your post. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on it and would love to hear a discussion with the author of the book on your podcast!
https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2025/02/the-real-origins-of-public-education/681709/
Thank you! Will read and get back to you. Looks provocative
This is exactly why you’re one of the only homeschool educators I still follow Julie. My kids have been in public school for the last two years and it’s been great for everyone - if we had to go back to homeschool we would, but for now it’s amazing. For my big kids expansion, for my special needs kids growth & socialization, and for my mental health!
I LOVE this! Absolutely spot on.
I enjoyed this post. I have been guilty of broadly criticizing government schooling, especially in my younger years. Over many years of homeschooling, I have developed more nuanced views on public schools. Especially after touring our local schools, interacting with teachers and principals, and sitting on a board for our local school district. Schools are full of people who are trying to do their best for kids.
I also think it's a "Yes, and..." As Fran Liberatore wrote about this week, how can we expect schools to help us raise free people, when they are rooted in tools of oppression? https://substack.com/home/post/p-157264745?source=queue
And yet, schools can still be a good fit for some kids. For many more, it's the best option their families currently see as possible. And we can still do better in making more choices available for more families, and especially more educational options rooted in the belief of liberation for children.
We definitely need to reevaluate how schools achieve their goals. I often think of the homeschooling movement as a critique of modern education. I think it’s important that we create that critique or no change occurs. But it’s also true that our communities are strongest when everybody gets a valuable and effective education. And most people will get that through public school.
Thanks for the shout-out Marni! Like you said, I’m a big supporter of a publicly-funded system of care and education - we need it. And, I object to the current system’s premise and the way it is rooted in coercion. I think we need radical change, and I also don’t think homeschooling is a viable solution!
Big time fan of your work anyway, but this is the best thing I’ve read in a long time by anyone in homeschooling.
My oldest did 4 years school, 7 homeschool and now, unexpectedly due to his choice mainly for more opportunities to play music with others, back in school for the final couple of years (1 done, 1 or 2 to go). We were lucky enough to start homeschooling by accident (not through bullying or learning needs not met as some do). I certainly went through a transition where I embraced homeschooling fully and saw too many flaws with schooling. But luckily we didn’t demonise school, maintained friendships with a few school kids and the transition back was relatively easy.
I am glad my child had a reason and drive to go back, as although we could have tackled his needs for higher education at home, it has been far easier with specialised teachers to encourage (and nag) him!
I’m still homeschooling our 9 year old as we enjoy it and it works for us, but I’m slightly more mindful now to ensure she is making gradual progress in all areas. We are so privileged to have the option to use any method of schooling - and well aware some people don’t have choice. Some would love to homeschool but can’t for various reasons (usually economic or confidence). Some would love their child to be in school, but their child’s needs are not met there for various reasons (eg neurodiversity).
It is very difficult to effectively discuss and prevent burnout in homeschooling when so many parents are willing to tolerate almost any level of pressure and difficulty, rather than consider school as a coping strategy or sensible option. And demonising school is not healthy or helpful for anyone - parents or children/teenagers, yet it is too often normalised and encouraged. Needs a lot more discussion.
Thanks for this, totally agree! I went to private school in a different country before I moved to the US.
Despite some cultural shocks, I have always admired America's robust public infrastructure- schools, libraries etc. If the public schools in my country were half as good as the US, my parents wouldn't have paid an arm and leg to send me to private.
However, since moving to a poorer city with a lagging school district (19% at reading level, >9% at grade math level), I am so sad to see that the public schools are most times really a reflection of wealth and race divides that still plague this country...sigh
Homeschooled all the way through (K-12) and I send my kids to public school-- all I can say to all of this is yes, yes, yes!!
Yes yes yes. As a former teacher now homeschooler, I fully support public schools. I’ve had several people stop talking to me because I didn’t bash public education right along with them at homeschool events. I loved teaching, and I loved being in school. I’m sad public education in my area has morphed into such a testing focused approach, with little free time for kids to be kids and PLAY. I didn’t plan on homeschooling forever, and I don’t know that I still do. But with education and educators being vilified on so many levels, not to mention safety concerns on several levels, I can’t imagine putting her in that system. I hope, for everyone’s sake, that it gets better. Our society needs better.
I am a product of homeschooling through 7th grade, then public school through the end of high school. My primary homeschool years were in the 90s, so I saw all the good and bad parts of homeschooling. Now I’m a mom of 4 kids from 4-15. When our oldest was about to enter kindergarten, I assumed I would homeschool because everyone at our church did and I had a good experience homeschooling. But we found a public charter school and tried that and he and his brother excelled. We’ve since moved to a new state and now all 4 of my kids are in public school. We have the blessing of being in a well funded district with incredible educators and opportunities. My older boys have found their niche in marching band, something they couldn’t do here as a homeschooler. I have seen kids from all kinds of educational background both succeed and fail. While I think education matters, there are so many more variables that go into making successful adults.
Three of my kids found their niche in marching band/color guard. It's such a great collective project in high school!
May I ask your thoughts about ESAs? My homeschool community leaders are against it but I also know conservative leaders who are for it.
I don’t know enough about ESA’s just speak with any kind of confidence about them