In issue 1631 of the weekly magazine Internazionale, dated September 12, 2025, an interesting article titled “The End of Public Schools” reports on what is happening in the United States.
In Phoenix, there is an innovative educational institution that could mark a major turning point: the Refresh Learning Center, founded in 2023 by a teacher and a pastor in a small house in their backyard, accommodates a small number of students. Here, four full-time teachers work in an aluminum-clad classroom adorned with student work and a synchronic map of human history. Although the program is not officially recognized, enrollment is steadily growing, attracting families thanks to a flexible schedule (Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and a simple Christian sensibility.
The annual tuition is less than $7,000, relatively affordable compared to other private schools, although many American parents cannot afford it.
In 2022, Arizona’s governor signed legislation establishing the ESA program, which allows families for the first time to directly receive funds the state would invest in their children’s public school education, averaging about $7,500. Previously, state subsidies were tied to approved schools, but now, thanks to prepaid ESA cards, parents can use these funds to meet their children’s needs, investing in electronic devices, sports activities, and more. This represents a new educational frontier.
In recent years, so-called microschools have emerged across the country. Parents now have the freedom to use the funds and any additional funds to purchase educational services from institutions of their choice. For decades, education reformers have advocated for school choice, a concept that is now taking shape.
In recent years, homeschooling, commonly known as parental education, has seen growing interest worldwide. This phenomenon represents a significant response from families to the traditional education system and is becoming a viable option for many parents.
What’s happening in Italy?
In Italy, homeschooling has seen a significant increase, from approximately 5,100 students in 2018/2019 to over 15,000 in 2020/2021. This increase was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted many families to seek personalized educational solutions. The main reasons parents choose to homeschool their children include the search for more tailored learning, pedagogical considerations, health needs or social disadvantage, and logistical reasons.
The majority of students pursuing this type of education are in primary school, with a growing number also in middle and high school. The Italian regions most active in this phenomenon are Lombardy, Veneto, and Tuscany. Furthermore, data indicates that approximately 90% of homeschoolers successfully complete the school year and pass the state exam, achieving generally positive results.
From a regulatory perspective, Italian law recognizes the right to homeschooling, according to Article 30 of the Constitution, while also establishing the obligation for families to demonstrate the skills acquired by their children. Homeschoolers must take the state exams as external candidates, placing a direct financial burden on parents, without substantial state support. However, it is important to note that there is no comprehensive official data on the total economic burden of the phenomenon, and research on socioeconomic motivations remains scarce.
In contrast to Italy, homeschooling is a much more deeply rooted and consolidated phenomenon in the United States, with approximately 4 million students receiving homeschooling, representing approximately 10% of all students. The reasons that drive American families to make this choice are varied and include religious concerns, the desire for greater autonomy in education, and dissatisfaction with public schools.
In the United States, regulations governing homeschooling can vary significantly from state to state, with some jurisdictions imposing minimum requirements and others with more flexible policies.
This decentralized system allows parents greater freedom of choice, but also involves varying levels of monitoring of their children’s skills. Studies conducted in the United States indicate that homeschooled students tend to achieve academic results comparable to or superior to those of their peers in traditional schools.
The phenomenon of homeschooling in Italy and the United States presents
