Enrollment soars in NC home schools, private schools and charter schools amid pandemic
T. Keung Hui, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
Jul. 3—Home schooling grew by record numbers in North Carolina last school year and enrollment in private schools rose by the largest number in 24 years during the coronavirus pandemic.
New state figures released Thursday show North Carolina's estimated home-school population grew by more than 30,000 children during the 2020-21 school year — a 20.6% increase from the prior year. At the same time, the state's private schools added 3,282 children for a 3.3% increase.
The growth in homeschooling, private schools and charter schools during the COVID-19 pandemic came as the state's traditional public schools saw a 5% drop in enrollment, falling by 70,000 students.