Jody Underwood, Ph.D.

2 Spotlights: Supporting Autistic Learners

Provider Spotlight graphic featuring the SpellerShip app’s lesson library and letterboard options on the left, and a smiling PaperPie representative behind a display of children’s books on the right.

I recently learned about two New Hampshire education providers whose personal experiences with autism shape their work. Their stories and approaches are different, but both help families find learning tools that fit their children. If you know a family with a nonspeaking child — or anyone looking for more flexible learning options — please share … Read more

QWA: Are microschools working?

One woman and four children, all smiling, around a table, one kid looking through a magnifying glass, another writing.

I recently came across a couple of studies about how well microschools are working around the country. I share a summary of the study below, and then compare the results to microschools in New Hampshire. We also had our last fair of 2026 this past Saturday, which went very well. Thanks and pictures come before … Read more

3 Things: Loudon, podcast, donor event

A whole roasted pig rests on foil with a small white pumpkin placed in its mouth.

Today’s newsletter delivers quick updates on three things: So much information, so little time. Final Fair of 2026! Our last fair of the year will be Saturday October 24 from 9am-1pm in Loudon (near Concord). It’ll be held indoors at the Benjamin Franklin Academy Charter School, 157 Chichester Rd in Loudon, in conjunction with a … Read more

Voices: Emma’s Story

Young girl showing frustration in a darkened classroom; same girl in a bright classroom smiling while writing in a notebook.

For many families, choosing a different educational path isn’t about chasing something “better.” It’s about finding a place where their child is understood. Over the past two years, we’ve spoken with hundreds of New Hampshire families. Every story is unique, but many share a common theme: a child whose needs weren’t quite being met, followed … Read more

New Podcast, Fair pix

Ocean background with sailboat with EdOpt life preserver in the center.

In today’s email, we are announcing Episode 3 of our Choosing School podcast: Special Needs, Different Paths. A brief description is below. Choosing School talks about real education choices with real families. Take a look. Pictures from the very successful fair in Hudson are below. Enjoy! Finally, come to our last fair of the year in … Read more

EdOpt Fair in Hudson Sat 10/3

Flyer for the EdOpt School Choice Fair in Hudson. Free event. A QR code for details.

This Saturday October 3 from 2-4pm, is our next EdOpt Fair at Evergreen Elementary in Hudson (near Nashua). Thanks to Tiffany Diamond for organizing and putting a creative touch onto this fair! It’ll be a Fall Fest theme with Trunk-or-Treat and a food truck — the same delicious one from our Bow fair! The fair … Read more

Homeschoolers have strong academics

Split image showing a student homeschooling at home and students learning in a conventional classroom.

For the first time in more than 15 years, researchers have published a nationwide study examining the academic achievement of homeschooled students. The new peer-reviewed study offers encouraging results for homeschooling families while also being transparent about its limitations. The researchers analyzed standardized test scores from 1,149 homeschooled students across the United States and surveyed … Read more

Provider Spotlight: Tuttle Twins

A boy and girl in a circle next to "The Tuttle Twins"

Some educational resources teach facts. Others inspire children to ask questions. Tuttle Twins aims to do both. What began as one father’s attempt to explain ideas like liberty, rights, and personal responsibility to his own children has grown into one of the best-known educational book series among homeschooling families, co-ops, microschools, and parents looking for … Read more

New Hampshire’s Long Math Problem

A child wearing a backpack stands at a fork in the road, with one path labeled Reading leading through a green landscape and the other labeled Math climbing a rocky hillside, symbolizing two diverging educational journeys.

QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING New Hampshire’s Long Math Problem New Hampshire has a math problem. In 2026, about 62% of New Hampshire’s 11th graders met the state’s proficiency standard in reading. In math, only 30% did. That gap is hard to ignore. But high school isn’t where the story begins. The Gap Begins Earlier New Hampshire’s … Read more

Because Children Deserve Better

Teacher leaving traditional school to create a child-centered learning environment.

This week, as part of our ~monthly installation of VOICES, we hear from Tiffany Diamond. She tells her story of leaving traditional school environments to start her own school. Maybe you can identify with her struggles. Tiffany gets kudos for taking a leap of faith and creating a learning environment truly centered around children. Check … Read more

Florida’s Education Revolution

Side-by-side maps of Florida and New Hampshire illustrate the growth of school choice, with icons representing homeschooling, charter schools, microschools, private schools, and co-op/hybrid learning connected by an arrow labeled “A Growing Trend.”

What happens when families are free to choose the education that fits their children best? Florida is giving us a glimpse. A new Reason Magazine feature highlights the rapid growth of microschools — small, personalized learning communities often created by former public school teachers. These schools offer flexible, student-centered learning at a price many families … Read more

Learning in New Hampshire’s Forests

High school students learn forestry skills outdoors in a New Hampshire forest as part of a hands-on education program.

New Hampshire’s forests aren’t just beautiful — they’re one of our state’s greatest educational resources. Through Project Learning Tree, homeschoolers, microschools, and co-ops can provide students with hands-on experiences that connect science, outdoor exploration, and potential career paths. Whether a student dreams of working outdoors or simply learns best by doing, this program turn New … Read more

What Does a Diploma Mean?

Group of high school graduates in caps and gowns holding diplomas, with question marks above them representing questions about the meaning of graduation.

QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING What Does a Diploma Mean? Last month we asked whether statewide test scores are relevant. This month we ask a related question: if those scores aren’t required for graduation, what is? Every spring, thousands of New Hampshire students walk across a stage, receive a diploma, and are declared high school graduates. But … Read more

Why We Left Our Public School

Illustration of a mother and daughter walking toward a brighter future, with EdOpt branding and the headline When I Realized We Had to Leave, symbolizing hope, educational choice, and parental empowerment.

[If someone forwarded this post to you, please consider subscribing to EdOpt.] Today’s article was written by a parent who wants to remain anonymous. She shares a story about why she took her child out of their long-trusted public school. It’s a powerful story that people should know about. If you have a story about … Read more

Bow Fair OUTDOORS July 30

Flyer for the EdOpt School Choice Fair in Bow, NH, on Thursday, July 30, 6–8 p.m. Learn about charter, homeschool, private, and public school options. Free event with food trucks, a playground, and a QR code for details.

[If someone forwarded this post to you, please consider subscribing to EdOpt.] EdOpt Fair in Bow I’m very excited about this fair. This is going to be our first OUTDOOR fair, rain or shine. And we’re going to have a lot of education providers there. There will be food trucks, one with ice cream! There’s … Read more

Spotlight: Wellheart’s Hybrid Program

Flyer for Wellheart School’s Open House on Wednesday, July 29, 6:00–7:30 p.m., at 646 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, NH. Photos show children exploring outdoors, reading, studying together, and examining a skull. The flyer describes Wellheart as a tuition-free Reggio-inspired K–8 charter school focused on hands-on learning, creativity, wellness, and lifelong learning.

[If someone forwarded this post to you, please consider subscribing to EdOpt.] Provider Spotlight Discover the Best of Both Worlds at Wellheart’s Hybrid Program! Are you looking for an education option that provides flexibility without sacrificing connection, enriching experiences, or academic excellence? At Wellheart Chartered Public School, our unique Hybrid Program is thoughtfully designed to give families the freedom they … Read more