Can Child Actors Go to Public School? An In-depth Look at Their Education Options

By Steve Dezย โ€ขย  Updated: 10/16/23ย โ€ขย  13 min read

Sharing is caring!

Table of Contents



Yes, child actors can go to public school, but the irregular and unpredictable nature of their work may pose challenges.

Traditional public schools may find it difficult to accommodate the varied schedules of child actors, although some do make provisions for this unique group of students.

Alternatives include homeschooling, which offers a flexible and individualized education plan designed around acting commitments.

Several child actors also attend specialized private or charter schools that understand and cater to their specific needs, enabling them to balance academic excellence with professional aspirations.

On-set schooling is another important aspect โ€“ with instructions provided during filming breaks by set teachers who ensure compliance with state regulations regarding education requirements for working minors.

An emerging trend is the adoption of eLearning platforms, offering a balanced solution for managing academic commitments alongside acting work.

Key to all these options is close collaboration

Best for Beginners
Dezperate Actor - Cracking The Hollywood Code
$97

Designed to help you catapult your career to new heights without compromising your art, all while building a profitable and purposeful acting empire.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

can child actors go to public school

Traditional Public School: Unpredictability and Accommodation

Now that I think about it, the education of child actors in public school is not exactly in the same format as non-actor students. One major reason for this is the unpredictable schedule of a young acting career. It could be challenging yet possible for child actors to attend traditional schools, considering their irregular attendance caused by filming schedules.

In any case, some public schools show extraordinary understanding and flexibility when it comes to accommodating child actorsโ€™ professional aspirations. They work out plans that help these talented youngsters manage both their academic and acting commitments, thereby creating an environment where they can thrive.

Homeschooling for Child Actors: Flexibility and Individualized Education

Moving away from mainstream schooling methods, homeschooling stands out as a popular alternative among child actors. You see, homeschooling provides flexible scheduling compared to traditional schooling methods which enables child actors to fulfill their filming commitments without hampering their education.

All things considered; parents play a central role here by developing individualized education plans tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of their young actor children. This way, homeschooling for child actors serves as an extremely viable option.

We cannot ignore private schools and charter schools when discussing education options available for our little stars of Hollywood. These institutions are known for accommodating young actors, facilitating the balance needed for achieving academic excellence while pursuing acting careers.

These schools offer a range of opportunities, including flexible schedules that cater to child actorsโ€™ needs and individualized attention that ensures they meet their education requirements per child actor regulations.

On-Set Schooling: Learning on the Film Set

As we dive deeper into this topic, youโ€™ll notice a unique method of education, commonly known as on-set schooling. This method ensures that education for child actors is not disrupted even when they are working full-time on film sets.

In such arrangements, set teachers assist child actors with schoolwork during filming breaks. However, state-by-state regulations governing on-set schooling hours and requirements vary in the U.S., ensuring that their education is not interrupted.

eLearning Opportunities: Balancing Academic and Professional Obligations

eLearning has gained tremendous popularity in recent years and has emerged as a viable option for working child actors in public school. What makes this form of learning ideal is its accessibility โ€“ itโ€™s available anytime any place!

This way, online classes prove to be beneficial in managing academic commitments alongside acting work without compromising either aspect. Parents, educators, and online platforms collaborate to create an effective plan to meet both ends smoothly.

Managing Academic Commitments with Acting Work: Collaboration between Parents and Educators

To sum up our exploration so far about balancing school and acting work; parents have a substantial role here by ensuring a smooth learning process for working child actors.

It involves close communication and collaboration between parents, educators, and industry professionals. Successful examples of managing both academics and acting career involve having teachers available during hiatuses from filming.

can child actors go to public school

Best Seller - Special Deal
Dezperate Actor - Bundled Special!
$148

This is the special Bundle of our Flagship Programs in one for a discount! Don't miss your opportunity to get the mentorship and online guidance you need to become an actor today. Includes Dezperate Actor - Cracking the Hollywood Code + Dezperate Actor 2.8 - Representation on Demand

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

While child actorsโ€™ lives can be quite different from other children, they may indeed attend regular schools, in addition to being tutored on set. This allows them the chance to experience a semblance of normal childhood. However, balancing academic responsibilities with acting commitments can pose considerable challenges. This balance often leads many child actors and their families to consider alternative educational routes.

In such cases, choosing the right acting school can be crucial. If youโ€™re based in London, our article about where you can study acting in London might be useful. Alternatively, if North America is more suitable for you, we have articles covering the best places to study acting in New York, as well as where to pursue your passion for performance in Toronto.

Once theyโ€™ve started their journey into the world of performing arts early on as child actors, it may not seem necessary for some young performers to attend a formal acting school later on. Our blog post โ€œDo most actors go to acting school?โ€ delves into this issue and provides context about why some successful artists chose not to go down this path.

For those who are contemplating entering professional acting without any previous experience or training , itโ€™s worth noting that not all actors start out with extensive schooling or training. Starting an acting career doesnโ€™t necessarily require formal education and our post โ€œHow to get started acting with no experienceโ€ can guide you through the first steps of embarking upon this journey.

Lastly, while child actors can indeed attend regular schools, itโ€™s important to maintain a balance and take their own acting careerโ€™s pros and cons into consideration while making such decisions. Being a child actor is no easy task and itโ€™s essential to consider both the opportunities and challenges it poses.

Done For You! - Just Replace with your Information
Acting Resumรฉ Templates
$9 - $12

Our acting resume templates are specifically designed to showcase your talents and highlight your experiences in the industry.

With a polished and professional resume, you can stand out to casting directors and increase your chances of landing your next big role.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

My Personal Take about Can Child Actors Go to Public School

Hey there, friend! Iโ€™m Steve Dez, a seasoned pro in the vibrant world of acting and Hollywood wonder. You know, I often get asked, โ€œCan child actors go to public school?โ€œ, and itโ€™s such an intriguing question.

Public school, home schooling, private tutoringโ€“the possibilities are as diverse as the characters they portray. The options on their platter often depend on their acting schedules and individual needs.

By the way, in my latest blog post titled โ€œCan Child Actors Go to Public School? An In-depth Look at Their Education Optionsโ€œ, I delve into this topic in greater detail, exploring:



All things considered, it can be a challenging balancing act but absolutely possible. Now that I think about it, many child stars like Emma Watson and Natalie Portman have thrived both acadically and professionally.

You see, these young talents arenโ€™t just learning lines; theyโ€™re learning life skills that will help them grow into well-rounded individuals. And who knows? With courage and commitment, your little star may just be the next big thing to grace Hollywoodโ€™s silver screen. Hereโ€™s to chasing dreams!<

Mentorship on the Go
Dezperate Actor - Coaching For Actors Online Program
$79

Coaching for actors focused on marketing can help actors develop strategies for promoting themselves and their work to agents, casting directors, and other industry professionals.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Best Bundle Deal - Exclusive Price
Dezperate Actor - Complete Edition Program
$198

The Complete Edition is the ultimate bundle designed to give actors the tools and knowledge they need to effectively promote themselves and succeed in the competitive world of acting. It includes - The Dezperate Actor - Cracking the Hollywood Code Program, Dezperate Actor 2.8 - Representation on Demand, Dezperate Actor - Coaching For Actors Online Program + Bonuses


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Before you goโ€ฆ

Takeaway 1: Child actors have legal requirements to receive an education

Child actors actually have to go to school, just like any other kid. Itโ€™s the law! So, no worries about them missing out on their studies. However, the way they receive their education might look a bit different from that of non-actor students. They can choose different options like traditional public schools (which can be a bit tricky due to their unpredictable acting schedules), homeschooling, attending private or charter schools that are popular among young actors, or even receiving distance education. So, thereโ€™s flexibility for these young stars to keep up with their studies while pursuing their passion for acting.

Takeaway 2: On-set schooling is a common method for child actors

You know whatโ€™s cool? On-set schooling! When child actors are on set filming their movies or TV shows, they donโ€™t miss out on learning because they have set teachers who help them with their schoolwork during breaks. Itโ€™s like having your very own classroom right there on set! But wait, thereโ€™s more. Some families also explore eLearning opportunities as another option for managing academic and professional obligations at the same time. So, these kids get the best of both worlds โ€“ acting and education!

Takeaway 3: Balancing school and acting can be challenging but doable

Letโ€™s face it โ€“ balancing schoolwork and acting gigs can be tough sometimes. These young performers have a lot on their plate! Imagine trying to juggle homework and studying while also memorizing lines and shooting scenes. Phew! But hey, theyโ€™re not alone in this journey. Parents often work closely with the childrenโ€™s educators to create a plan that caters equally to academic and acting commitments. And guess what? Some celebrities even have teachers available during their breaks from filming to make sure they donโ€™t miss out on important classroom time. Itโ€™s all about finding the right balance and making it work.

In a nutshell, being a child actor comes with its own set of challenges, but there are plenty of educational options available to help them maintain both their academic responsibilities and their professional duties. So, no need to worry โ€“ these talented kids are getting the education they need while living their dreams in the spotlight.

When balancing their acting career and education, many child actors are often in the dilemma of whether they can still attend public school. One great option is to do online acting classes, which allows them to learn at their own pace while keeping up with their academic responsibilities.

A lot of parents ponder upon how exactly would a budding star manage schoolwork? While itโ€™s not always easy, a specialized solution is provided by some of the best acting classes, which design flexible schedules to accommodate young actorsโ€™ educational needs.

Additionally, these institutions often work closely with public schools to ensure that child actors receive a well-rounded education. But remember, every childโ€™s situation is unique, so itโ€™s crucial to find what works best for your young star.

Best Seller
Dezperate Actor 2.8 - Representation on Demand Online Program
$98

As you progress in your career, you're going to need Representation and what better way to obtain it than by following a proven system that works in landing you the best agents, managers, publishers and more! This online program will help you get closer to your goals in being a working professional Hollywood Actor.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Sharing is caring!

Steve Dez

I am the founder of Dezperate Actorยฎ and I have been in the acting and entertainment industry since 2011. Since then, my mission is to make acting and breaking into Hollywood easy for everyone. And each year, I continue to help more people with acting tips, resources, coaching and online courses.

Keep Reading