JACKSON, Wyo. — Homeschooling and online education have enjoyed a surge in popularity as alternatives to the traditional schooling model.
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicate that the proportion of homeschooled students rose from 1.7% in 1999 to 3.4% in 2012, reaching 5.4% during the 2020–21 academic year. Recent analyses by The Washington Post underscore this trend, revealing that homeschooling enrollment has surged dramatically since the pandemic. In one detailed district-by-district analysis, some regions — such as Washington, D.C. — witnessed whopping increases exceeding 100%, while other areas in New York City and Florida reported growth rates as high as 300% over a six-year period.
Simultaneously, the landscape of home education is evolving. As emphasized in a separate Washington Post report, traditional homeschooling is transitioning into a diverse array of models — including micro-schools, learning pods and hybrid programs — where instructional roles are shared with professional tutors, coaches and private teachers. These innovations are expanding access to personalized education and redefining the concept of home-schooling. This flexibility and adaptability reflect a growing recognition of the potential benefits that individualized, flexible learning environments can offer students and their families, empowering parents to take control of their children’s education.
Local programs like Teton Tutors and Radical Minds Academy (RadAcad) have been helping families navigate these new opportunities by providing study spaces, resources, tutors and guidance for families seeking to transition to a more customizable schooling model.
“We are currently coaching seven students through a variety of nontraditional models,” said co-founder Garrett Austen. “We are helping families practice a variety of models, including free online public schools like Wyoming Connections Academy, elite project-based online schools like AEON and even online classical schools like Kolbe Academy.”
“We even have students doing a type of hybrid model,” said RadAcad co-founder Franny Saron. “Students are enrolled in online school for some classes, go to another teacher for daily language arts classes, then meet us at the library after school for one-on-one math class.”
RadAcad recently purchased a downtown location, and after renovations this summer will have a space large enough to accommodate 25 students.
“We hope to have a variety of students with diverse backgrounds, programs, and reasons for choosing a custom education path,” said Austen. “We’re for student-athletes, fast learners, slow learners, traveling families, neurodivergent kids or simply students that want to learn on their own schedule so that they can ski powder days – anyone who doesn’t feel like they fit perfectly into the current options.”
Rising Trends and Standardized Test Performance
Notably, standardized testing data from the ACT provide insight into this trend. The ACT Info Brief (2015) noted that homeschooled students often achieve competitive scores compared with their peers in traditional educational settings and, in many cases, exceed national averages. More recent statistics from the ACT Homeschool Report (2020) further confirm that homeschoolers perform at levels on standardized tests that not only meet but sometimes surpass the benchmarks of conventional schooling systems.
These reports collectively suggest that the personalized, flexible approach inherent in homeschooling may contribute to improved performance on tests like the ACT and SAT. Such outcomes indicate strong academic foundations, supporting the argument that a tailored education can effectively prepare students for college entrance examinations and subsequent academic challenges.
College Admissions: Equal Footing and Transparent Processes
Beyond standardized testing, college admissions increasingly recognize the rigor and validity of homeschooling. According to Khan Academy’s guide on applying to college as a homeschooler, many colleges now employ a holistic review process that considers portfolios, standardized test scores and detailed application materials rather than relying solely on traditional transcripts. This holistic approach reassures parents that non-traditional education is regarded as an asset rather than a liability, providing a transparent and fair process for all students.
Regional examples also reinforce this trend. For instance, the University of Wyoming’s Admissions page outlines how it considers homeschooled applicants through a holistic approach that recognizes their unique academic strengths. Similarly, the University of Utah has updated its criteria to accommodate non-traditional educational backgrounds, and Montana State University has affirmed the validity of non-traditional applicants on its admission page by outlining the application process for these students.
Graduates from elite online school programs consistently gain admission to prestigious universities worldwide. For instance, Stanford Online High School (OHS) reports that its alumni have been accepted into top-tier institutions such as Stanford University, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Similarly, AEON School’s graduates have matriculated to esteemed universities including Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Columbia University. Similarly, Wyoming Connections Academy reports that its graduates have been accepted to esteemed institutions such as Wellesley College, Penn State, University of New Mexico, University of Utah, University of Wyoming, Casper College, Laramie County Community College, and Northwest College. This success is a testament to the effectiveness of alternative education methods, instilling confidence in parents about the potential of these programs.
College Success
Articles in respected publications like The Wall Street Journal have also observed that homeschoolers are well-represented in higher education and that their academic records and extracurricular profiles often reflect a high degree of self-motivation and educational engagement. “Home-schoolers were 33% more likely to volunteer, 31% more forgiving, and 51% more likely to attend religious services in young adulthood than those who attended public school,” cited the Wall Street Journal.
Studies cited in CBS News have shown that homeschoolers not only earn higher GPAs throughout their college careers, they also graduate at a higher rate than their traditionally schooled peers. In fact, multiple studies at different universities consistently show homeschoolers earning higher GPA’s and even continuing to learn higher level math at a faster rate than their publicly schooled peers with similar SAT scores. Furthermore, homeschoolers displayed “significantly lower depression scores than those who had never been homeschooled” indicating a level of maturity, confidence and self-sufficiency contrary to the stereotype of a homeschooled student. Homeschoolers are not only more prepared for college, but may even be more versed in the actual skills of learning and succeeding.
Local homeschool resource RadAcad engages its homeschool and online school students with daily PE, monthly field trips, and an optional year-long community impact project where students must create and implement a solution to an issue in our community. These students aren’t just succeeding academically, they’re going above and beyond. RadAcad coaches understand the importance of developing well-rounded students who are prepared to succeed in all areas of life.
Education in Jackson
When education is tailored to the individual, students develop strong academic and personal skills that translate into impressive performance and competitive college applications. With questions around education in the valley, the data provides a compelling argument for considering homeschooling or online schooling as an effective educational pathway for some families. With local resources like Teton Tutors and RadAcad, local families can navigate this exciting time in education and chart the perfect path for their child. .
