Over the past few years, the way we think about school has evolved. When COVID hit, dining tables turned into desks and Zoom calls became classrooms. At first, it felt temporary - with everyone just waiting for things to “go back to normal.” But for a lot of students, that shift revealed something unexpected: maybe traditional school isn’t the only way to learn.

Since then, more families have started exploring independent schooling - such as online programs, hybrid models, and homeschool-style setups. According to a 2023 report from the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly “9% of students in the U.S. were enrolled in some form of homeschool or independent study” during the 2021–2022 school year, compared to just 3% before the pandemic.

So what’s the appeal?

For some students, it’s the flexibility. Independent learning allows students to move at their own pace, work around a busy schedule, and have more freedom to explore opportunities that go beyond the classroom, such as travel for sports, music or other creative projects.  It also helps students who prefer learning in a quieter, less overwhelming environment. Chloe, a rising ninth grader who deals with social anxiety, shared that learning from home made her feel “more in control” and “less distracted.”

But independent learning isn’t for everyone. It takes a ton of self-discipline, time management, and motivation. Without daily classroom structure, it can be harder to stay on track, and some students miss the energy of school events, team sports, or even just seeing friends between classes.  And for families who rely on school for childcare during the day, this option might not even be possible.

On the flip side, traditional in-person schools offer structure, community, and daily social connections. There are clubs, sports, rallies, and hallway moments that just don’t exist through a screen. Some students thrive on that energy and routine.  Others might feel boxed in by a system that doesn’t leave a lot of room for flexibility or creative learning.

As we head into a new school year, the main thing to remember is this: there’s no one “right” way to learn. Some people need structure. Others need space. What really matters is finding a learning environment that helps the student grow - not just academically, but as a person.

Whether you’re in a classroom or learning from a laptop, we’re all trying to figure out who we are, what we’re good at, and how to get to where we want to go. The path may look different, but the goal is the same.

If you’re considering a different path, here are a few independent or flexible-learning programs that families in the local area can explore:  Oaks Christian Online School, Oak Park Independent School, Century Academy, Laurel Springs, California Virtual Academies (CAVA), and Fusion Academy.