NYC Homeschooling in the News

Recently the New York Post interviewed me and some NYC families for a homeschooling article published September 9, 2026, with the headline: Homeschooling explodes 200% in NYC as frustrated families reject Big Apple’s failing public school system.

The article cited more than 14,000 children are currently being homeschooled in New York City. I was interviewed as a homeschooling expert, and selected quotes were included in the article « “So many students are in large classes where they feel intimidated to raise their hands, and parents come to me asking, ‘Why is my smart kid so unhappy at school?’” longtime New York homeschooling advocate Laurie Block Spigel told The Post. » I believe I said, “Why are my smart kids struggling?” and I mentioned many more reasons than overcrowding and intimidation. To me, the standardization of a test-driven system has taken all the joy out of learning. When learning feels like an enforced chore instead of a personal adventure, something is seriously wrong! When the entire curriculum reeks of boredom, students learn to hate every subject. I’ve heard schooled students say they never read a book at school that they liked! The article quoteed me correctly when I said:« “…They’re teaching students how to write badly and how to hate reading.”

Some wonderful families volunteered to be interviewed and photographed for this article. Watching kids learning in the park, excited about what they’re doing, and spending time in museums and doing hands-on learning, reminded me how to was with my family once we started homeschooling. Once school was out of the picture, my kids were able to create personal relationships with their learning, find excitement in pursuing their curiosity, and ended up finding their direction much earlier than I had thought possible.

There are a couple of things in this article that I disagree with. A clinical psychologist is quoted as saying, “Parents need to think carefully about what their child might lose as well as what they might gain. … Schools provide access to different teachers, specialists, group learning, activities and a wide variety of social situations.” In my experience, my sons and I had no regrets when they traded school for homeschooling. In fact, within weeks I realized it was the best decision of our lives. What we gave up was a ridiculously stressful reality where very little learning happened, and traded it in for a world of endless learning opportunities. This psychologist may be under the wrong impression, as many are, that homeschoolers have only one teacher (their parent), no social life, and learn only at home. Homeschooling, my kids had many more teachers than when they were in school, and many more social opportunities. They took classes all over NYC, enjoyed afterschool activities, free college classes through College Now at CUNY, classes at homeschool learning centers, attended high school proms and graduation ceremonies for homeschoolers.

I also disagree with a closing comment in the article: « “Unfortunately, most New York families currently have no practical way to leave the system, unless they are wealthy or super-determined parents can homeschool.” » While families with young children where both parent work and have no childcare avaiable will likely not be able to choose homeschooling, you do not need to be super-determined or wealthy! When I started I was broke, and quickly discovered the educational riches of NYC were free for the taking. Our library system, museums with free days, historic sites, and more, quickly became part of our homeschool curriculum. We walked everywhere because we couldn't afford bus fare, but today homeschooler get metro cards so they can travel to and from classes and activities. These classes and activities are organized by educators and homeschooling parents, and any parent can create a class or activity that works for them and their kid and invite others to join.

For from being only for the wealthy or super-determined, homeschooling can be accomplished with just a library card, computer access, and connection to the local homeschooling community.

Thanks to Marissa Mattozo, NY Post Reporter, who was a pleasure to speak with, and who kept an open mind when talking to me and families.

Here’s the article.