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By Molly Macek
Classrooms were closed during COVID, and the effects are still evident. Schools struggled to deliver instruction remotely, which parents saw firsthand. Thousands opted to try a different approach, pulling their kids from district-run schools. A trend set in motion in 2025 is still gaining momentum today.
Since the lockdowns, many parents have chosen to homeschool their children, joining thousands of families across the state. More families are sharing resources and working together to give their children ways to learn in homeschool cooperatives.
In September, the Mackinac Center partnered with a homeschool community in northern Michigan to host a Family Liberty Summit. We also work with Engaged Detroit, a homeschool cooperative founded by Bernita Bradley that supports Motor City parents who are new to homeschooling.
Several new learning models arose during the pandemic. Clonlara, a private school based in Ann Arbor, offers personalized learning to students in a variety of settings. They can attend classes on campus, receive homeschooling support through an off-campus program, or enroll in a distance learning program that is open to students around the globe.
HighPoint Hybrid Academy, with eight locations in Metro Detroit and one in Midland, provides families a mix of classroom instruction and home-based learning support. AMPed, another private microschool in Metro Detroit, also offers a hybrid program for parents seeking more flexible learning approaches.
Michigan parents are at a disadvantage compared to most other states in exploring educational freedom. More than 30 states now offer school choice programs that allow families to use public funds to offset the cost of tuition and other private educational expenses. In those states, more families can access the growing number of alternative schooling models.
But a discriminatory amendment in the state’s constitution prohibits Michigan families from using public funds to support private educational options. Until the constitution is amended, Michigan will be unable to offer the educational choice programs parents enjoy in most states today.
The Mackinac Center supports parents’ right to choose the educational approach that works best for their children. We will continue to promote policies that help parents tap into the increasing number of alternative learning found across the nation.
