When School Isn’t Working, Parents Want Options
Parents don't change schools because they enjoy starting over.
Changing schools can mean new routines, new teachers, new classmates and a whole new adjustment for a child. So when families make that decision, it's worth asking what is driving them to look for something different.
Recent survey data from EdChoice and the National School Choice Awareness Foundation provide some answers. Together, the findings offer a clearer picture of what families experience when a school isn't meeting their child's needs and what they are looking for in a new educational environment.
When School is Not Working
According to EdChoice's 2026 Schooling in America survey, 28% of parents reported moving their child from one school to another outside of normal grade transitions.
The reasons families gave for leaving are telling.
Parents most often cited excessive stress or anxiety, followed by academic needs not being met, bullying, difficulty with teachers and a lack of individual attention.
These aren't minor inconveniences. They are fundamental parts of a child's school experience.
When a child is struggling academically, doesn't feel safe or supported, or isn't getting the individual attention they need, parents may decide that a different environment could give their child a better chance to succeed.
And what parents want from that new environment depends on the child.
For parents choosing private schools, EdChoice found that better education quality, safety and less bullying, and instruction that aligns with their morals or values were among the leading reasons. Safety and less bullying were also among the top reasons parents chose charter schools and homeschooling. Public school parents most often pointed to location, socialization and their assigned school district.
What Are Parents Worried About?
The National School Choice Awareness Foundation's 2026 parent survey found that school safety is the biggest concern for parents heading into the new school year, cited by 38% of respondents.
That was followed by academic progress at 16% and bullying at 12%. Other concerns included children's mental health, social adjustment, school-related costs, AI in education, screen time and cell phone use, and teacher shortages.
The numbers reinforce something we see in the EdChoice data: Parents are thinking about much more than academics when they evaluate their children's educational environment.
They want their children to learn. But they also want them to feel safe, supported and connected.
Parents are not only thinking about their own concerns—they are also interpreting what they believe their children are experiencing. While 38% of parents identified school safety as their biggest concern, parents said their children were most worried about making friends or fitting in (32%) and keeping up with schoolwork (20%).
That pattern reflects that families are considering multiple factors at once when evaluating their child’s school experience. Rather than a single priority driving decisions, parents are weighing a combination of academic, social, and well-being considerations as they look for an environment that best supports their child.
Families Deserve Options When School Isn't Working
Parents pay attention when something isn't working for their children. They notice when their child is struggling academically, feeling unsafe, dealing with bullying, overwhelmed by stress or simply not getting the individual attention they need.
And when families decide to make a change, they aren't all looking for the same thing.
Some may prioritize academic quality. Others may be looking for a safer environment, a better fit for their child's learning needs, a particular set of values or a school where their child can build stronger relationships.
We are seeing this play out in Alabama. This year the CHOOSE Act received a record number of applications for the 2026–27 school year, representing nearly 49,000 students. Of those students, 61.3% were new applicants and 38.7% were returning participants.
Private school applications accounted for the largest share, with 21,351 applications. There were also 13,425 applications for homeschool programs and 8,961 applications for public and charter schools.
That's why school choice matters.
The goal isn't to tell every family which type of school is best. It's to give parents meaningful options when their current educational environment isn't meeting their child's needs.
Because there is no single school that is right for every child.
