Christian Barnard observes that rates of homeschooling in the U.S. still exceed pre-pandemic levels, even as most public schools have finally returned to normal operations. He suggests that new homeschoolers are persisting because they have discovered how satisfactory the practice can be. If my own family’s experience is any indication, then he is correct.

Just to be clear, fear of the virus did not influence my family’s decision to homeschool; rather, it was the public schools’ dereliction of their duty that forced our hand. We were not willing to participate in boondoggles such as virtual days, phased re-openings, and mask-and-test regimens. It was only after withdrawing that we discovered the remarkable amount of learning that can be packed into a few hours per day at home, leaving more free time for kids to be kids.

Some of the efficiency gains flow directly from one-on-one instruction. A homeschool parent can provide feedback on a student’s work every day. Errors are identified and corrected within an hour — not days later when the classroom teacher finishes grading a stack of papers. Other efficiency gains come from focusing on the three Rs, leaving art projects and other non-academic activities as options during free time.

The results have been excellent. Our elementary-age children have made such strides that to detail them would invite accusations that I’m just here to brag. But the progress shouldn’t be all that surprising. How many public-school students do an hour of original writing every day with feedback? How many public-school students do an hour of math problems every day, completely at their own pace, at whatever level they’re ready for? All of this happens in my household before lunch, so the entire afternoon is available for free play. By contrast, public-school students are confined to a classroom for most of the day — and then they have homework!

Taking charge of the curriculum is no small responsibility. Homeschool parents need to carefully select materials and be ready to make adjustments as needed. They also need to ensure that at least one of them is home on any given day. Nevertheless, the daily time I spend on direct instruction (mostly feedback on writing and math) is only 20 to 30 minutes, and it’s usually enjoyable.

I don’t presume to tell any family what will work best for them. After all, the central insight of the school-choice movement is that parents have heterogeneous preferences that no single education model can accommodate. What I can say, however, is that homeschooling is a more viable and effective option than many families initially assume. If you’re on the fence, consider this a nudge to give it a try.