LOCKPORT, N.Y. — Homeschooling more than doubled in the United States back in 2020, according to the Institute for Family Studies.

For the 2020-21 school year, homeschooling registrations jumped from 5% to 11%. This data comes from the Institute for Family Studies which says the boom is partly due to COVID and partly due to a desire for more parental control. For families like the Campagnas and Dunnings, the change stuck.

“Anything that you do during the day is all learning,” said Betsy Camagna, a parent and member of the Rising Arrows of Niagara County homeschooling co-op. She and Mary Dunning came together for the day with their kids for a baking lesson.

The kids pass around measuring spoons, learn about the reaction of the yeast with other ingredients, and knead the dough to bake bread.

“They're learning to follow instructions. They're learning to advocate for themselves. And ask for help. You know, all of that, all that kind of stuff is really important,” said Campagna.

Why the switch from public school? The Campagnas thought their kids might do better in an environment with more freedom and were already homeschooling when the pandemic hit.

The Dunnings made the transition during the pandemic and found it to be more fulfilling for both mom and kids.

These families work with school liaisons to help ensure the curriculum they teach is age-appropriate and their students continue to meet learning milestones.