Enrollment in traditional public schools has seen a notable downturn nationally and in North Carolina, according to fresh data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and state education reports. Since 2019, public school enrollment nationwide has dropped by 2.5%, while North Carolina experienced a smaller but still significant 1% decline amid marked population growth overall.
The pandemic amplified shifts in the education landscape, as families sought alternatives to traditional public schools to better accommodate their needs during an unprecedented time. Private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling experienced remarkable growth, particularly in North Carolina, which ranked fifth nationally for the highest increase in charter school enrollment during the pandemic.
Numbers from the NCES show that enrollment in public schools in the US fell to 49.5 million students in 2023, with the steepest declines observed in pre-K through 8th grade, where the drop reached 4.5% since 2019. High school enrollment, meanwhile, increased by 2%, likely reflecting different considerations for upper-grade education during the pandemic.
For North Carolina, traditional public school enrollment also saw a reduction, aligning with a broader trend as families actively explored educational alternatives. The financial and logistical challenges schools faced during the pandemic—combined with parents’ growing concerns about the suitability of large classroom settings—are thought to have fueled these changes.
“Parents began re-evaluating their educational options as they encountered both academic and health concerns during the pandemic,” said Peggy Carr, NCES Commissioner, in a statement. “Our data reveals a shifting landscape that carries important implications for school policymakers, budgets, and student outcomes.”
While traditional public schools struggled to maintain their pre-pandemic enrollment numbers, alternative education options surged in popularity in our state. Between 2019 and 2022, the state added 14,312 new charter students, representing a 12% increase, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Enrollment in charter schools across the state now totals approximately 146,000. To keep pace with demand, the number of charter schools statewide continues to rise, giving families more options for specialized and flexible education.
“The overall enrollment numbers for traditional public, charter, private and home schooling underscore the growing desire for more educational options,” said Dr. Robert Luebke, director of the Center for Effective Education at the John Locke Foundation. “The strong demand for charter and private school options — via the increased demand for the Opportunity Scholarship – makes that case, in spades. The sheer number of options for parents is one of the best things to happen in North Carolina and families should be excited and grateful.”
The latest data from the NC Division of Non-Public Education shows private school enrollment has grown to 131,230 students for the 2023-2024 academic year, marking a 3.2% yearly increase. Wake County leads private school enrollments with over 22,000 students, underscoring both the demand for and accessibility of private education in larger urban areas.
Private school growth has been further bolstered by the expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship Program, which provides families with financial assistance to choose educational pathways beyond public schools.
Homeschooling has become an increasingly attractive option for North Carolina families. The homeschool population surged to 157,642 students in the 2023-2024 academic year, representing a 3% increase from the previous year. Families are drawn by the flexibility of homeschooling, which allows personalized instruction and often aligns better with individual learning styles.