A 16-Year-Old Homeschooler Responds to the New York Times

Most advice about homeschooling comes from parents, researchers, and experts. But what does a 16-year-old who's lived it - and documented it across four teenage lives - have to say? Turns out, we've been asking the wrong questions.

In this episode, Mason Ember shares what surprised him most about teenage homeschool communities, why his parents identified "storytelling" as his through-line instead of just "film," and his most pointed critique of homeschooling.

His philosophy: "Be pro-kid over pro-system." Whether you're homeschooling, considering it, or just curious about what education looks like when teens have more agency, Mason's perspective offers something you won't get from the usual experts - because he's the kid those experts are theorizing about.

Mason's Links:

- Documentary website: https://www.againstthegrade.com/

- Follow Mason on Instagram: @embers_insta

- NY Times letter to the editor: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/opinion/letters/home-schooling-debate.html