We did not home school our children, but our area (small rural community) has a large amount of people who have or are home schooling. My perspective is that there is a large amount of disenchantment with the traditional, public school systems along with a yearning to incorporate religious instruction into the lessons. From what I've observed, those parents add a "coop" to the picture which allows the parents someone else's expertise in teaching a class in which they have an expertise. They share a group's strength to give the students the best of the group's teacher (art, science, etc). The children do very well if in later school years, they go to finish eduction at the high school level. I don't envy or feel sorry for the home schooled kids. It all depends on the kids and the parent's commitment.