Why Don’t More Black Parents Homeschool?

It appears that many in the Black community are afraid to homeschool their children. We’ve become too comfortable sending our kids to the nearest public school, even when those schools are failing them academically.

According to recent national data, 84% of Black fourth‑graders are reading below grade level, and nearly 60% of third‑graders in predominantly Black schools are performing below grade level in math. These alarming statistics reflect how many public schools within our communities are failing to meet students’ academic needs.

So, why don’t more Black parents homeschool their kids?

1. “I’m not an educator.”
Truth: You don’t have to be. There are homeschooling programs that provide structured curricula, grade assignments, offer guidance, and maintain transcripts for your child. As a parent, your role is facilitator, not curriculum developer.

2. “My child won’t be socialized.”
That’s essentially a myth. School socialization often leads to more harm than good, including bullying, peer pressure, and distractions. Real socialization can happen in community groups, sports, church, and homeschool co-ops. Family networks provide rich, quality interactions.

3. “My kid won’t get into college.”
Another myth! About 74% of homeschooled students go on to attend college, compared to only 44% of public school students. Crown Counseling. Plus, roughly 67% of homeschoolers graduate from college, compared to 59% for public school peers, according to Crown Counseling. Colleges care about transcripts and SAT/ACT scores, not whether you came from a brick-and-mortar classroom. Around 78% of admissions officers say they expect homeschoolers to perform as well or better than public school students, Wikipedia+6Crown Counseling+6Wikipedia+6.

What does this mean for Black homeschooling families

Homeschooling is not exclusive to affluent or educated families—Black and other minority households increasingly embrace it. About 41% of U.S. homeschool families are non-white/non-Hispanic NHERI+1Parents+1.

It’s empowering, offering Black families autonomy over curriculum, learning environment, and cultural representation. It isn’t perfect: it takes time, planning, and resources. But for many parents, it’s a deliberate choice to shift from “making do” to “making thriving learners.”