Host Eric Brakey interviews Jody Underwood—learning scientist, longtime Croydon (NH) school board member, and founder of Education Options New Hampshire (EdOpt)—about how families can navigate New Hampshire’s widening K–12 landscape.

Many families have misconceptions. Homeschooling is assumed to require a full‑time parent and total isolation. Additionally, many families have no idea about homeschool co‑ops or learning centers. There are ~30 Learning Centers, also called Micro‑schools in New Hampshire. They have flexible formats, including full‑time, part‑time, drop‑off programs.

Underwood helps families navigate the NH education landscape. She walks through homeschooling, co-ops, micro‑schools/learning centers (~30+ statewide), charter and private/religious schools. She also explains town tuitioning, Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), Education Tax Credit scholarships, and public mechanisms like Learn Everywhere and dual enrollment.

Jody emphasizes fit, mastery over seat‑time, and ability grouping. She explains NH’s light homeschool rules (one‑time notice; portfolio or test). EdOpt’s model pairs a filterable provider map with regional expos and one‑on‑one consults. Upcoming work includes an AI chatbot for ‘navigation’ and a “business‑in‑a‑box” to help launch new learning centers. Policy targets flagged: revise incentives tied to seat‑time (‘adequacy’ funding), reconsider mandatory attendance, and empower taxpayers and parents to demand outcomes rather than hours in seats.

Watch the full interview here: