7 Best Countries for Homeschool and Alternative Education

7 Best Countries for Homeschool and Alternative Education

Published: 04 MAR 2023

Updated: 04 MAR 2023

Categories:The Homeschool Travel Diaries

7 Best Countries for Homeschool and Alternative Education

Exploring the world can be a great way to add an exciting and educational element to homeschooling. With so many different countries offering the opportunity to teach your children at home, it can be difficult to choose the best one. To help make your decision a bit easier, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best countries for homeschooling. From the US to Australia, read on to find the perfect destination for your family, especially if your plans are to opt out of public schools!


Homeschooling in Australia


In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people in Australia who are choosing to homeschool their children.

In Australia, homeschooling is a popular form of education with over 50,000 families already participating. That indicates strong strides in homeschool and alternative education advocacy. Although travelers can find it difficult to homeschool since the rules and regulations vary between states, ultimately parents get to decide what curriculum and materials are used and how the children are educated. It is necessary, however, that parents comply with the syllabus and that assessments are carried out periodically.


Homeschooling in Belgium


In Belgium, parents are permitted to teach their children from elementary school through high school at home. The rules related to this vary depending on which of the three language areas of the country one is in. Taking exams is usually necessary in order to obtain elementary and secondary diplomas. For those looking to move to Belgium, the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders (which includes cities like Antwerp and Ghent) is a popular choice, as it is one of the areas with the highest English fluency and a flourishing economy compared to French-speaking Wallonia.


Homeschooling in United States


More than 50 years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that homeschooling was a valid exercise of educational choice in the United States. This has made homeschooling a very common practice, with an estimated 2-3 million learners taking part. However, the laws and regulations surrounding homeschooling vary greatly between states, so parents must make sure they are familiar with their state’s rules.


For example, while states like Illinois and Texas require less paperwork and testing, New York has stricter regulations, including annual letters of intent and standardized tests. Despite the differences, homeschooling remains an attractive option in the US due to its widespread acceptance. HSLDA is a well-known organization with a plethora of resources and can direct you in homeschool questions and laws in the United States.


Homeschooling in United Kingdom


For more than four decades, homeschooling has been on the rise in the UK and Northern Ireland. This occurrence has been accompanied by the formation of several support groups around the nation. The lack of regulations surrounding homeschooling in the UK usually benefits those parents willing to give it a try. Local authorities have no control in this area and can only check if children are getting some kind of education. Exams are not mandatory for the state, but higher education establishments may require evidence of secondary training, in which case teens can take a standardized test independently.


Homeschooling in New Zealand


In New Zealand, parents who wish to homeschool must receive approval from the state and submit a self-certification letter every six months. Although the process may be bureaucratic, getting approval is usually uncomplicated. Furthermore, the nation has an expansive array of assistance groups, some of which have been in place for decades, that provide supplementary instruction to children aiming to receive a certificate and teenagers who plan to go to university.


Homeschooling in Italy


Parents have the constitutional right to homeschool their children in Italy, and the process is well-regulated with guidance from local authorities and standardized tests to track progress. Parents who homeschool their children must show that their level of education is greater than that of their offspring and must inform local officials and provide an educational agenda every year. It is also necessary to have the student take regular tests to make sure they are learning at the same rate as other kids their age.

The availability of rules and assistance offered in Italy make it an attractive choice for people who are considering homeschooling.


Homeschooling in Israel


In order to homeschool your children in Israel, you’ll need to submit a request to the Ministry of Education which should include details such as your teaching philosophy and approach. This request must be approved in order to be able to homeschool your children. The Israeli government is said to grant nearly all homeschooling requests, making it a desirable place for pursuing homeschooling. Additionally, there are many parental-guided support groups located in Israel. If you decide to relocate to Israel, you can protect your family's privacy by downloading a virtual private network (VPN) specifically for the country. VPNs defend against cyber threats and enable you to access blocked websites due to geographic restrictions. One great option is VeePN, which is compatible with multiple devices and offers a free trial so you can check out its features before signing up.



Well, there you have it! The 7 best places to homeschool in the world! Now you have a few special places to plan epic homeschool field trips!