From Orlando to Reno, homeschool and co-op boom redefines learning

By Erica Neely  

Nevada News and Views

Across the country, more parents are walking away from public schools.

Concerns range from classroom discipline and safety to curriculum changes many parents feel push political or social agendas. Issues like critical race theory, gender identity lessons, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs often come up in parent complaints.

On August 13, 2025, a church in Orlando, Florida, announced the expansion of its homeschool cooperative. The story, reported by The Federalist, highlights a growing movement of parents looking for alternatives to public education.

Homeschooling Is Exploding

Instead of fighting a system they feel ignores them, parents are voting with their feet.

Some choose faith-based programs, others turn to secular homeschool groups, and still others enroll in charter or private schools.

The common thread is control. Parents want a bigger say in how their kids learn.

The School Choice Argument

This movement ties back to the principle that parents (not government bureaucrats) should decide what their children are taught.

School choice doesn’t mean every family picks the same thing. It means families pick different things, based on their values, their kids’ needs, and their community.

The Orlando co-op may be faith-based, but it represents something broader: local communities stepping in to provide education that reflects their priorities.

Groups like The Heritage Foundation and the John Locke Foundation argue this is exactly how education should work; built from the ground up, not dictated from the top down.

Nevada Families Want Options Too

Here in Nevada, the story looks familiar.

More families are embracing homeschooling, and co-ops are springing up to support them. In Reno, Homeschool High offers Christian-based academics. Calvary Chapel’s co-op in Reno-Sparks meets bi-monthly, giving families both structure and flexibility.

But faith-based options aren’t the only part of Nevada’s homeschool scene. Some parents choose secular co-ops or independent approaches, and many use online programs tailored to their kids’ learning style.

The Nevada Homeschool Association helps all these families by tracking state rules and making sure policymakers don’t get in the way.

The push isn’t all religious. It’s also about keeping doors open for every parent who wants something different than the public school system.

Not Everyone Likes the Homeschool Boom

Critics of faith-based education worry that some programs might focus too heavily on religion at the expense of science or critical thinking. Others argue that homeschooling and private co-ops may leave behind students whose families can’t afford to leave the public system.

Even among conservatives, there’s debate about balance. Most agree parents should have freedom, but some raise the question: how do we make sure every child still gets a solid education that prepares them for the future?

Personal responsibility needs to play a big role here — parents who choose alternative schooling must be willing to put in the time and effort to ensure their kids succeed.

These concerns don’t stop the momentum, but they are part of the conversation as families, churches, and lawmakers consider what comes next.

A National Conservative Wave

Events like the Florida Homeschool Convention show how education has become a key conservative issue.

School choice, homeschooling, and parental rights are now tied closely to larger cultural debates. For many, the fight over schools isn’t just about academics — it’s about the direction of the country.

Nevada parents feel this too. Whether it’s in Las Vegas or Reno, more families are exploring their options, and more are speaking up about wanting control.

It’s not just about faith. It’s about freedom.

What This Means for Nevada and Beyond

The Orlando expansion may have started with one church, but the message stretches nationwide: families want options.

Nevada’s growing homeschool and school choice community proves this isn’t just a Florida trend.

The debate over how kids are taught will continue, but the heart of the matter is simple: parents want a say.

The growing school choice movement is making sure they get it.

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Erica Neely is a grassroots advocate, small business owner, director, community leader, and founder of the Hispanic Latin Alliance. Deeply rooted in family values, she is passionate about empowering her community and driving meaningful change.