As single moms, it’s clear the traditional school system doesn’t always work in our favor. Keeping up with work, family life, and school schedules doesn’t always align with our “one-person-doing-it-all” lifestyle.
Honestly, for many families, the traditional public school system just isn’t cutting it anymore. That’s why more and more families are turning to flexible school options, like charter schools (not always the best either), homeschooling, and virtual learning.
So why is this shift happening? Who is moving more towards this learning option? And why should single moms pay attention?
1. Safety and Mental Health Are Major Concerns
For many families, safety is a top concern, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately for some single moms of color, our children are often at the receiving end of systemic issues like disproportionate discipline. Which means they’re more likely to face suspensions and expulsions than their peers for the same behavior. This kind of discrimination can affect their confidence and long-term success in school.
Virtual learning or homeschooling can provide a safer, more nurturing environment. Especially for single moms who want to protect their kids from the traumas of being unfairly targeted at school. When our children learns at home, we’re able to create a space where they can grow academically in a positive environment.
2. More Personalized Learning for Kids Who Deserve the Best
Let’s face it: traditional schools often offer a “one-size-fits-all” approach to learning, leaving many students falling through the cracks.
Flexible school options like virtual learning, homeschooling, or charter schools allow for personalized education. This means kids can learn at their own pace, in a way that works best for them. If your child excels in certain subjects but needs more help in others, a more flexible learning environment allows for that kind of customization.
For many single moms, personalized learning means less worry about whether our child is getting the attention they need. We’re able to make sure they’re not just keeping up but actually thriving.
3. Flexibility Around Our Family’s Schedule
Between working (sometimes multiple jobs), taking care of the household, and supporting our child’s education, it can feel like there isn’t enough hours in the day to handle it all. Traditional schools have rigid schedules (sometimes 7:30am-3pm) that often don’t align with work hours or family life, making it hard to balance everything.
That’s where flexible options, like virtual learning, come in. With online education, we can adapt schooling to our family’s schedule, not the other way around. Maybe you work in the evenings, or maybe you have to take care of an elderly parent during the day—virtual learning allows your child to learn on their own time.
For single moms, this flexibility means you can breathe easier, knowing that your family’s unique needs are being met without sacrificing their education.
4. More Control Over What Your Kids Are Learning
As a mom and certified educator, I’ve felt frustrated with the types of curriculum being taught in traditional schools. Too often, culturally relevant history is watered down to a few key moments, and the experiences of many people are left out of the broader narrative.
When you choose a flexible school option like homeschooling or virtual learning, you have more say in what your child is learning. This means you can include important lessons about history, culture, and contributions to society that aren’t always covered in traditional classrooms.
You can also choose programs that focus on culturally responsive education, like Study Root Learning, that help students see themselves reflected in what they learn.
Being in control of the curriculum feels empowering to single moms who want their children to grow up with a full understanding of their heritage and the world around them.
5. A Solution to the Achievement Gap
For years, students of color have been stuck in an achievement gap due to systemic inequalities in education. Underfunded schools, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of resources all contribute to this gap.
This ever growing gap has pushed more African-American families to seek out alternative learning options knowing the traditional system hasn’t always worked for their kids.
Flexible school options, like virtual learning, have the potential to close that gap by offering resources that are often missing in public schools. Online learning platforms can provide access to the same quality education that other families receive, leveling the playing field for other students.
As a single mom, this is huge because it gives our children the chance to succeed, regardless of where we live or what school district budgets look like. We can access tools, tutoring, and personalized programs that help with academic success.
6. A Sense of Community and Support
Virtual schools and alternative learning programs often offer a strong sense of community that can be lacking in traditional schools. Many online programs are built around providing support for both students and parents, creating a network of educators and families who are all working toward the same goal: success for our kids.
When you choose a virtual or flexible learning option, you can tap into a community of teachers, advisors, and even other parents who understand the unique challenges you’re facing. Meaning we don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
So, Why Are More Single Moms Turning to Flexible School Options?
At the end of the day, single parent families want what every family wants: for their kids to be safe, supported, and successful. But for too long, the traditional public school system has failed to provide that for many of us.
Whether it’s because of a lack of resources, inherent bias, or a system that simply wasn’t built with our needs in mind, our families are increasingly turning to flexible school options to give our kids the best shot at success.
Whether it’s virtual learning, homeschooling, or charter schools, flexible education is providing our families with more opportunities to thrive, and it’s opening doors that have long been closed.
As a single mom, these options can be a game-changer. They allow us to prioritize our child’s education while still managing the demands of work and life. And most importantly, they give us the power to shape our child’s future on our terms, not the system’s.
Now, more than ever, it’s time for us to explore these options and take control of our children’s education.
Share your thoughts. How do you feel about flexible schooling options for your children as a single mom?
