Home-school enrollment up in N.C.

Raleigh, N.C. — The number of home-schooled students in North Carolina increased about 4 percent last year, according to figures released Friday by the state Division of Non-Public Education.

An estimated 71,566 students were taught at home during the 2007-08 school year, up from an estimated 68,707 the year before. The enrollment amounts to about 4 percent of students ages 7 to 16 in North Carolina – students in that age range are required by state law to attend school.

Statewide, 38,367 home schools operated last year, up 6 percent from the 36,068 in operation during 2006-07. The number of home schools is a state record, officials said.

About two-thirds of the schools classified themselves as religious schools.

Wake County had the largest number of home schools last year, with 3,548, followed by Mecklenburg and Buncombe counties. All 100 North Carolina counties had at least one home school.