Sophia Moffatt writes psychology notes at her desk in her bedroom on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Gainesville, FL.
In the corner of a bedroom sits a neatly organized desk with pens, Post-it notes, and an orderly planner beneath a stained-glass lamp. This is where Sophia Moffatt, a homeschooled junior, traded the traditional classroom for a more personal learning environment.
Sophia’s mom, Katrina Moffatt, mother of six, has experience with both homeschooling and private education throughout her children’s schooling. She and her husband decided early on to begin homeschooling after much prayer and reflection.
“We wanted me to have more of an influence over the children than a whole bunch of variety of other teachers that we didn’t know who they were going to be,” Katrina Moffatt said.
Across Florida, the number of children enrolled in home education has grown by 46% since 2020. According to the Florida Department of Education, 155,532 students were homeschooled in 2024, with 1,888 of them in Alachua County.
The growth from 2020 to 2024 stems from several factors. A 2025 Pew Research study found 83% of parents cited concerns over school environment, including safety and drugs, as a reason for homeschooling. Other leading reasons included a desire to provide moral instruction (75%), dissatisfaction with academic instruction, and a wish to emphasize family life, both cited by 72% of parents.
Although Katrina Moffatt didn’t have an education degree, support from friends and family helped her learn how to teach at home. Exploring various curriculums and following her convictions, she focused on what mattered most for her children’s education.
“To not have so much pressure on them learning, learning, learning but just enjoying learning through play and being outside and learning to read,” Katrina Moffatt said.
After her fifth child, homeschooling became overwhelming while caring for younger babies. When her eldest entered fifth grade, the two oldest transitioned to private school.
Today, most of her children have graduated. Only two remain in school: Sophia, who is homeschooled, and the youngest, who attends a local Gainesville private school.
The student-teacher dynamic between Sophia and Katrina has shifted as Sophia has grown more independent.
“She has shown herself responsible, diligent. She finishes her assignments that she needs to do for her co-op,” Katrina Moffatt said.
Looking back, Katrina is glad her family chose homeschooling for some of their children. Her biggest lesson: “don’t compare your children,” as each has their own learning style and strengths. She is proud of the people and students they have become.
For Sophia, homeschooling provides the flexibility to create her own schedule. She enjoys babysitting her nephew on Tuesdays, something traditional school wouldn’t allow.
For social interaction, she participates in a co-op called Classical Conversations, which meets weekly in Jonesville. Her grade level includes 12 students, and they often spend time together outside class.
One of her classmates, Cait Buchanan, shares a similar experience. Buchanan has been homeschooled for seven years after leaving private school in fifth grade.
“I would like beg my mom to be homeschooled because I hated going to school every day,” Buchanan said.
Homeschooling gave Buchanan flexibility and a sense of community, helping her become more comfortable socially. With more free time, she works a job and trains for volleyball, which she hopes to play in college.
Over the years, Buchanan has learned that homeschooling requires accountability and self-discipline. While she has faced challenges with motivation, she is grateful for the opportunities.
“I feel like it’s given me a lot of opportunities that I wouldn’t have had if I stayed in private school,” Buchanan said.
For Melissa Barryman, a former assistant principal and teacher in Alachua County, homeschooling came out of necessity. Barryman, a mother of three, never imagined she would homeschool. But when her oldest son needed more rigorous academics in first grade, they moved him up to second grade. When that still wasn’t enough, she began teaching him at home.
“The only way that I can make sure that he keeps his childhood but still allow him to be challenged academically was for us to look at homeschooling,” Barryman said.
She and her husband planned to start homeschooling the following school year, but COVID-19 accelerated the timeline.
“It honestly for me was a walk of faith like it was really that I felt God was saying this is what you need to do for your children and for your family,” Barryman said.
All three of her children have been homeschooled since. Moving away from traditional school allows Barryman to meet each child’s individual needs. Both her oldest and youngest attend weekly occupational therapy. Both have been diagnosed with autism, and her youngest also has dyslexia.
“We get to do any of their therapies as part of their school day,” Barryman said.
Having control over their education lets her children excel in their strengths and receive extra support where needed. All of her children are learning above traditional grade levels. Her oldest, 12, is in his second year of dual enrollment at Santa Fe College.
Socialization isn’t a concern for Barryman, who says, “They have more than we can even fit into our schedule.” Her children participate in CrossFit, robotics, dance, and church activities.
Barryman says the hardest part of homeschooling is managing three busy schedules, but family and friends provide strong support. Homeschooling also offers the ability to travel for hands-on learning experiences, like visiting Texas for the Solar Eclipse and Washington D.C.
“I love that learning can take place anywhere,” Barryman says.
For families like the Moffatts, Buchanans, and Barrymans, homeschooling isn’t just an alternative—it allows them to tailor education to their children’s needs. As more Florida families choose homeschooling, it is reshaping what a traditional classroom looks like.
Leave a Reply