Last week, EdOpt hosted another education options fair in Claremont. Ten families signed in and spent time talking with schools, homeschoolers, and other education providers.
If you’re measuring success purely by attendance, ten families may not sound like a lot.
But that’s not how we measure success.
The families who come to our fairs are usually looking for answers to very specific problems. They aren’t browsing. They aren’t casually collecting brochures. Most are trying to solve something important in their child’s life.
Again and again, we hear the same themes: anxiety, stress, bullying, and academic needs that aren’t being met.
The Claremont fair was no exception.
Our survey responses showed that many of the families attending had children who had experienced stress, anxiety, or depression in school. Others said their children’s academic needs were not being met. Those concerns mirror what we hear from families across New Hampshire.
One Family
One family told me their child was simply not being taught in their local district school. Not merely unchallenged. Not bored. Not learning as much as they hoped. They felt their child was not receiving an adequate education at all.
What surprised them most was learning that there were alternatives they could access right now. They had no idea that charter schools are public schools and free to attend. They had never heard of Education Freedom Accounts and didn’t realize those funds could help support private schooling, homeschooling, tutoring, and other educational options.
By the end of the conversation, they had several paths to explore that they didn’t know existed when they walked through the door.
Another Family
Another family shared a different story.
Their child had struggled with anxiety in public school. In response, they tried homeschooling, but they felt isolated. They didn’t know any other homeschooling families in the area and eventually enrolled their child in a local Montessori school, where things improved considerably.
Now they face a new challenge: high school.
They weren’t sure what options existed or whether homeschooling could work again. When they learned about the large and active homeschooling community in the region, they immediately became interested. What they thought would be a solitary experience suddenly looked much different.
Sometimes families don’t need a new program. They just need connections to people who have already walked the same path.
A Third Family
One conversation was particularly difficult.
A mother described her daughter, an upper high school student, who is being bullied and ostracized. Her grades have fallen. Graduation is uncertain. She seems disconnected from her future and has little enthusiasm for what comes next.
Parents facing situations like this often want a simple solution, but there usually isn’t one.
We couldn’t offer a magic answer.
What we could offer was hope and possibilities. We talked about environments where students are known personally, where social dynamics are different, and where she might have opportunities to connect with peers who are welcoming and supportive. Whether through a charter school, homeschooling community, or another alternative setting, a change in environment can sometimes be the first step toward rebuilding confidence.
Not every problem is solved in a single conversation.
But every family deserves to know what options exist.
A Fourth Family
Another attendee came with a much more straightforward goal: learn everything she could about Education Freedom Accounts. She certainly came to the right place. By the end of the evening, she not only understood EFAs but had also learned about local homeschooling groups and resources she hadn’t known existed.
These stories capture what EdOpt is all about.
We don’t exist to persuade families to choose one educational path over another. We exist to help families find the path that fits their child.
For some families, that’s a charter school. For others, it’s homeschooling, a private school, a microschool, tutoring, or simply a better understanding of the choices available to them.
The most rewarding part of every fair is watching parents discover that they have options.
Many arrive feeling frustrated, isolated, or trapped. They leave with information, connections, and a clearer sense of what might come next.
Ten families may not sound like a huge success.
But if even one family finds a solution that changes the trajectory of a child’s education, that’s a success worth celebrating.
And at the Claremont fair, we believe several families did.
-Jody
Jody Underwood, Ph.D.
President, Education Options
Here are some pix from the Claremont Fair.
More EdOpt Fairs
Bow
This is going to be our first OUTDOOR fair. There is a playground right next to the parking lot where we will be holding the fair, so bring the kids!
- Thursday, July 30 from 6-8pm
- The Plaza at 1494 Rt 3A in Bow NH
- Providers and attendees can register here.
Planning has just begun, but the hope is to have an ice cream truck and live music. Stay tuned as the plans solidify.
We’re also working on fairs in other places in the summer and fall. Let us know if you want to organize one in your area!
Let your friends know about these fairs. Word of mouth is the best way to advertise. Also, follow us and share our events and posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
About EdOpt
EdOpt is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose aim is to help families understand all their education options, from non-traditional (homeschooling, homeschool co-ops, microschools) to traditional (charter schools, private schools, tech centers, dual enrollment, learn everywhere).
Use our website to find education providers options around the state. Please let us know if we’re missing any!
EdOpt also provides guidance to help you figure out what will suit your children. Set up a FREE Education Options consultation today. And check out our new AI Assistant, the EdOpt Navigator, available on every website page.
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