Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A growing number of West Virginia families are looking beyond the traditional classroom, according to organizers of the third annual West Virginia Homeschool Convention.
The West Virginia Home Educators Association estimates more than 25,000 students are now being homeschooled in the state, compared with about 10,000 when many current homeschool families first started.
Parents at the convention said they were looking for better resources and a learning option they believe fits their families.
“Children are naturally curious and natural learners,” said Philip Rice, a homeschool parent. “Giving them the opportunity to facilitate that is what they really need.”
For the Rice family, homeschooling gives their children more freedom to learn at their own pace and follow their interests.
Organizers said many families are seeking that same flexibility outside a traditional classroom.
“They’re just not satisfied with what they can get in the regular schools in some cases,” West Virginia Home Educators Association President Roy Ramey said.
For some families, the option is also becoming more affordable.
More than 26,000 students applied for full Hope Scholarship funding for the 2026-27 school year after the program expanded to all school-age West Virginia children. The award is worth $5,435.62 per student for qualifying education expenses.
The shift comes as public school enrollment is falling. State data shows West Virginia public schools lost more than 6,000 students in one year, with 234,957 students enrolled in the 2025-26 school year, raising concerns about the state funding formula. Student enrollment is used to calculate the number of teacher and service-staff positions a school district receives funding for.
“If there’s not as many students in that system, then we don’t need as many resources for those who are there,” Ramey said. "It should properly restrict down to right size.”
Critics of homeschooling often raise questions about socialization and whether parents can handle the work on their own. Organizers said families can find help through co-ops, other homeschool parents and resources like the convention.
“None of us know everything, but if we can share with other people in our community, then you find other people who know things that you don’t know,” Ramey said.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/more-west-virginia-families-are-choosing-homeschooling
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A growing number of West Virginia families are looking beyond the traditional classroom, according to organizers of the third annual West Virginia Homeschool Convention.
The West Virginia Home Educators Association estimates more than 25,000 students are now being homeschooled in the state, compared with about 10,000 when many current homeschool families first started.
Parents at the convention said they were looking for better resources and a learning option they believe fits their families.
“Children are naturally curious and natural learners,” said Philip Rice, a homeschool parent. “Giving them the opportunity to facilitate that is what they really need.”
For the Rice family, homeschooling gives their children more freedom to learn at their own pace and follow their interests.
Organizers said many families are seeking that same flexibility outside a traditional classroom.
“They’re just not satisfied with what they can get in the regular schools in some cases,” West Virginia Home Educators Association President Roy Ramey said.
For some families, the option is also becoming more affordable.
More than 26,000 students applied for full Hope Scholarship funding for the 2026-27 school year after the program expanded to all school-age West Virginia children. The award is worth $5,435.62 per student for qualifying education expenses.
The shift comes as public school enrollment is falling. State data shows West Virginia public schools lost more than 6,000 students in one year, with 234,957 students enrolled in the 2025-26 school year, raising concerns about the state funding formula. Student enrollment is used to calculate the number of teacher and service-staff positions a school district receives funding for.
“If there’s not as many students in that system, then we don’t need as many resources for those who are there,” Ramey said. "It should properly restrict down to right size.”
Critics of homeschooling often raise questions about socialization and whether parents can handle the work on their own. Organizers said families can find help through co-ops, other homeschool parents and resources like the convention.
“None of us know everything, but if we can share with other people in our community, then you find other people who know things that you don’t know,” Ramey said.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/more-west-virginia-families-are-choosing-homeschooling
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
