Homeschooling is at the heart of my family, as is our deep-rooted love for sports. Coming from a long line of Pisgah football players, my children dream of carrying on this tradition while continuing their homeschooling journey, a wish that resonates with numerous other families in Haywood County, NC. Our family has participated in the Bethel Youth Organization football for many years. Sadly, as our oldest son enters his middle school years, his football journey must end.

The Haywood County School rules do not allow homeschooled middle and high school students to partake in public school sports teams, unless they are dual-enrolled in public school. While dual enrollment may be an option for some families, it's not an option for all. This restriction continues to unfairly penalizes families who choose alternative forms of education while still contributing to our local community and schools through taxes and involvement. This denies young students the chance to engage in team sports, which play a key role in developing social skills, physical health, and a sense of community.

According to a 2019 report by the National Home Education Research Institute, there were approximately 2.5 million homeschool students in grades K-12 in the United States (Brian Ray, 2019). Here in North Carolina alone, over 149,000 students are being homeschooled, according to data from the Division of Non-Public Education North Carolina Department of Administration (2020-2021). In 2022, there were 152,717 children enrolled in homeschools according to the North Carolina Homeschool Statistical Summary published in July 2023.

By preventing (and limiting by dual enrollment) these students from participating in sports, we are excluding a significant part of our youth population who could offer meaningful contributions to our teams and communities. Let's reevaluate our regulations and foster an environment where every student, regardless of their educational background, can benefit from and contribute to our public school sports teams.

We therefore urge the local school board and policy makers to consider amending these rules to make middle school and high school sports accessible for all students in Haywood County, NC. Sign this petition to express support for a more inclusive environment for our homeschooled students.