Is It Appropriate to Withdraw Your Kids from School for Travel?

Earlier this month, I informed my son's elementary school about an assignment in Maui that my family would accompany me on. My son would miss three days of second grade leading up to the long President’s Day weekend, so I inquired about arranging independent study for him. As this was his first year at the school, and I had previously noticed some disapproval from staff at his old school when we pulled him out for a few days, I was anxious about how the new administration would react.

“How exciting! They absolutely should join you,” the office responded. It turns out that in our Northern California school district, independent study applies only for absences of five days or more, so none was needed this time. My note was sufficient to explain my son’s absence. We informed his teacher, who kindly provided a small homework packet for the trip, including a fun task for him to take three photos and write about each one.

With that, we were off! It felt effortless, and I appreciated the school's support; it didn’t feel like we were doing anything wrong by taking our son out for a few days to travel to Maui. (The process was just as smooth for our daughter, who attends a private preschool.)

The advantages of travel for children

For many families, the advantages of travel—often extending beyond mere rest and relaxation—outweigh the potential downsides of missing some school days.

This past fall, the Family Travel Association (FTA) released findings from a survey (conducted in collaboration with the NYU School of Professional Studies’ Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and Edinburgh Napier University) to examine current family travel trends. The survey queried over 3,300 parents and grandparents nationwide, revealing that half noted lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their children, including increased anxiety, a desire for solitude, and decreased physical activity. A significant majority—88 percent—believed that travel assists children in overcoming some of these lingering effects. For example, 84 percent reported that travel fosters adaptability and openness to new experiences, 62 percent indicated their children maintain a more positive outlook on life while traveling, and 61 percent said travel enhances kids' social skills.

The potential mental and physical health benefits are just some of the many advantages of travel for children. Travel "can only enhance their education," says Jeannette Andruss, founder of Spotlight Schools, a local news outlet focused on education in Southern California. Andruss, a mother of two—her daughter is in third grade and her son in fifth—has taken her children out of school a few times over the years, often for international trips, with the longest being seven days of missed school.

“You’re experiencing different countries. There’s nothing comparable in a classroom—hearing various languages and being exposed to diverse cultures. It’s incredible,” Andruss remarks. “I highly value this in raising my children. I see them as global citizens, and to achieve that, you need to explore other places.”

Attendance, independent study, and online education

But why opt to travel during school instead of the scheduled breaks? Timing is essential, Andruss explains. Her family prefers to stay home (they reside near the beach in Orange County) during the summer and December holidays, as popular travel spots tend to be too hot or overcrowded during those times.

School breaks often align with peak travel seasons, during which demand drives up airfares and accommodation costs compared to when school is in session. In the FTA-NYU family travel survey, caregivers were asked to name up to five factors that complicate family travel, with affordability topping the list, followed closely by the scheduling of school breaks.

However, some families believe that time away from school should only occur during school breaks. A mother from New Jersey, who requested anonymity, expressed her strong opposition to taking children out of school for travel. She stated, “Kids already have so much time off. I’d rather utilize that,” adding, “I know some families do it because it’s more affordable, but I think that’s unfair to teachers who can’t take time off or adjust their schedules. Teachers really dislike it” when students are absent.

The intersection of education and travel becomes even more complex considering that some countries, particularly in Europe, impose financial penalties on families whose children miss school without an excused absence. Attendance is mandatory, and caregivers wishing to travel outside of school holidays often have to navigate a bureaucratic process to obtain permission for their children's absence.

As a journalist specializing in education, Andruss understands the critical role that attendance plays in school curriculum and funding. However, she notes that her district “has made it more accommodating for families to pursue independent study.” Regarding funding, she adds, “There’s an initiative to reform how schools are funded, so it’s not solely dependent on student attendance.”

The regulations surrounding independent study differ by state, but it generally allows children to continue their education outside the traditional classroom. This option can be utilized for various reasons, including health issues (such as for immunocompromised children) and educational goals (like students aiming to accelerate their studies), as well as for families wishing to travel.

For better or worse, the pandemic catalyzed a burgeoning industry focused on virtual learning and homeschooling, often manifesting through online tools, programs, and tutoring services. This blend of virtual education options alongside an uptick in remote work opportunities for parents has granted families more flexibility to travel during the school year.

“We’ve been homeschooling our kids for three years now, and a significant reason for our choice was the freedom to travel,” shares Danielle Ehrlich, a mother of two daughters from Ramona, California. She is among approximately 3 million families in the U.S. who choose homeschooling, according to the National Home Education Research Institute. Like many, Ehrlich transitioned to homeschooling during the pandemic and hasn’t looked back since.

Ehrlich’s husband works full-time, “so we can’t travel for extended periods—though we wish we could—but taking my girls out into the world provides the best education. Spending time in nature and museums far exceeds the benefits of a traditional classroom. My daughters have experienced some of the most stunning places in the United States, and our adventures are just beginning.”

Ehrlich emphasizes that just because children aren’t in a classroom doesn’t mean they aren’t learning. “As adults, we need to recognize that education isn’t confined to a box; it involves engaging with life around us. Even subjects like math and language arts can be effectively taught through nontraditional methods.”

A more global classroom

There’s a widely accepted notion among parents and educators that taking children out of school for travel is more manageable when they are younger, during less rigorous schooling phases like preschool and elementary. As kids progress to middle school, they face increasing responsibilities with assignments and exams, along with extracurricular commitments, and by high school, their academic choices can significantly influence their future college paths.

Challenging the traditional educational framework are Martin Penner and Taryn Elledge-Penner, the couple behind Quartier Collective, a creative agency organizing family gatherings worldwide. These events take place in countries like Morocco, Portugal, Japan, Greece, and Mexico, lasting from one to four weeks. Each gathering includes daily lessons led by an educator, along with opportunities for community engagement and immersive experiences with local artisans for all family members. Originally from Seattle, the founders have been traveling full-time with their three children—aged 13, 11, and 7—for the past five years.

“Each school district has distinct curricula and standards for what seventh graders should learn—and we don’t necessarily align with those,” shares Martin Penner during a WhatsApp call from Morocco, where Quartier Collective is hosting one of its family events. The next day, the group was set to meet a local Moroccan artist to work on a mural.

“The positive aspect for us is that the traditional methods of evaluating kids and structuring college admissions aren’t yielding the best outcomes. Standardized test scores are not a reliable predictor of a student’s success in college or whether the environment will suit them. What’s more valuable is whether the student is a dynamic individual with real-life experiences,” he explains. “I believe that’s a much better indicator, and colleges are starting to recognize this, just as parents are.”

Following a move away from standardized testing during the pandemic, over 80 percent of U.S. colleges and universities will not require applicants for fall 2025 to submit ACT or SAT scores, according to the National Center for Fair and Open Testing (FairTest).

“Test-optional policies are still prevalent . . . because they generally lead to an increase in applicants, stronger academic candidates, and greater diversity,” stated FairTest Executive Director Harry Feder in a recent announcement.

For families exploring a more global classroom model, the shift away from standardized testing and the curricula that support it could provide new opportunities.

“When we consider education, we envision the ultimate goal of preparing kids for the future as effectively as possible,” Penner states. “However, when envisioning the future, we often overlook the conventional subjects taught in school. Instead, I think about traits like adaptability, creativity, flexibility, and empathy. These qualities are crucial for our children’s future, and I can’t think of a better way to impart them than by exposing them to the wonders of this vast world.”