Exeter Township School Board addresses 25% rise in homeschooling, notes options for hybrid participation
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Summary
Board members discussed a reported rise in homeschooling (discussed as 110 students versus 88 same time last year), district accommodations for homeschooled students and statewide legal changes that make hybrid participation and access to some school services easier.
Board members raised concerns at the Nov. 18 meeting about a reported increase in homeschooled students in the district, which participants clarified had grown from about 88 last year to about 110 this year, an increase discussed in the meeting as roughly 25 percent.
Dr. Christy Haller, superintendent, said the local increase "follows right along" with a nationwide trend and noted that homeschooling rose during the COVID period and has since ticked back up. She told the board that some families pursue faith-based home education or do so for health reasons and that some districts have organized homeschool cohorts where an individual certified teacher provides instruction to several families.
Board members asked about whether homeschooled students can participate in district testing and extracurriculars; administrators answered that homeschooled students can request to come in to take standardized tests, that some students take part in half-day career-technical programming (BCTC) while homeschooling the rest of the day, and that families may transition in and out of homeschooling during the year.
Business Administrator Brian Fike provided context about counts and timing: the meeting exchange clarified the comparable prior-year number as 88 and the current count discussed as 110. Administrators emphasized that the district accommodates testing access and occasional participation in extracurriculars when families request it.
Board members said the trend merits monitoring but noted families' legal right to choose homeschooling; administrators warned the district should watch potential long-term fiscal effects if more families permanently leave brick-and-mortar enrollment.
Next steps: the board will monitor enrollment trends and may request additional data if the rise continues.
