As at 1 July 2012 there were 6,568 home schooled students recorded on the Ministry of Education’s homeschooling database, which represents 0.9% of total school enrolments as at 1 July 2012. These students belonged to 3,534 families.

The numbers home schooling increased by 0. 8% over the previous 12 months. 2009 and 2010 remain the years with the highest number of children being home educated at 6800 children. There was a big dip in the numbers of home educators in 2011. It is encouraging to see an increase in the numbers again this year.

Homeschooling 1998-2012

In 1998 there was a total of 5,274 homeschoolers; in 2012 there were 6,568 – an increase of 25.2%.  Between 1 July 2011 and 1 July 2012 the number of homeschoolers increased by 51 students – a 0.8% increase.

Figure 1: Number of Homeschooling Students 1998-2012