🧵 Why Some Amish Have Begun to Embrace Public Schools
In Holmes County, Ohio (the most Amish place on Earth), 42% of Amish parents reported at least partial use of public schooling, with one in five being completely public school educated.
What is going on?
In Holmes County, Ohio (the most Amish place on Earth), 42% of Amish parents reported at least partial use of public schooling, with one in five being completely public school educated.
What is going on?
Amish community schooling only began in the mid-20th century. Prior to this the Amish enrolled kids in local non-Amish schools. The push to consolidate curriculums and have the Amish attend past the 8th grade was what led to the rise of Amish one room school houses.
Today however the economy has changed. High land prices mean few Amish work in agriculture and as their participation in the mainstream economy grows many feel public schools offer significantly better education.
A local principal of a public school that's 50% Amish agrees. Many Amish youth face an uncertain employment future and their parents attempt to prepare them by enrolling them in public schools.
Public schools actively court the Amish too to fight declining enrollments among the non-Amish. One school offers a special program where seventh/eight grade for Amish students happens at elementary school. That way they don't have to attend a seperate middle school.
The phenomenon of Amish in public schooling is still in the minority though, but growing. Amish community schooling isn't going anywhere either, Holmes County see about 2 new school houses built yearly.
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