Legal Templates

Homeschool Letter of Intent Template

Craft a compelling homeschooling letter of intent to demonstrate your commitment to personalized education and secure approval from educational authorities.

Updated August 2, 2024
Written by | Reviewed by Susan Chai, Esq.

A homeschool letter of intent is a formal notification from a parent or guardian to the local school district indicating their decision to homeschool their child. This document is essential for complying with state education laws and ensuring that the child’s transition from public or private schooling to homeschooling is legally recognized.

Why Use

  • To inform the educational authorities of the parent’s decision to take on the responsibility of educating their child at home.
  • Helps the school district keep accurate records of student enrollment.
  • Ensures that the child is receiving an education that meets state standards.
  • Provides a clear line of communication between the homeschooling family and the local education authorities.
Table of Contents

What to Include

Child’s Information

A homeschool letter of intent must include detailed information about the child, such as:

  • Full legal name.
  • Date of birth.
  • Address.
  • Grade level (the grade they would be entering if they were attending a traditional school).

Homeschool Teacher’s Information

The letter should also identify the person responsible for homeschooling the child. This is usually a parent or guardian. The letter should include:

  • Full name of the homeschooling teacher.
  • Relationship to the child.
  • Address (if different from the child’s).
  • Contact information.

Educational Plan

While not always required, providing a brief outline of the educational plan can be beneficial. This may include:

  • Subjects to be taught.
  • Resources and materials to be used.
  • Any standardized tests or assessments planned.

Consent and Authorization

  • The child’s parent or legal guardian must sign the letter indicating their consent or authorization to homeschool.
  • Include the date of the parent’s or legal guardian’s signature.

State-Specific Requirements

Each state in the US has its own regulations regarding homeschooling. Some states require specific forms from parents, while others have more flexible requirements. See the following table for state form requirements:

State Required Deadline Form
Alabama No N/A N/A
Alaska No N/A N/A
Arizona Yes Within 30 days of commencing homeschooling Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool
Arkansas Yes August 15th Notice of Intent
California No N/A N/A
Colorado Yes At least 14 days before commencing homeschooling N/A
Connecticut No Within 10 days of commencing homeschooling Intent to Homeschool (Non mandatory)
Delaware No N/A N/A
Florida Yes Within 30 days of commencing homeschooling N/A
Georgia Yes Within 30 days of commencing homeschooling/every following year by September 1st Declaration of Intent or Use Online Application
Hawaii Yes N/A Form 4140 (Non mandatory)
Idaho No N/A N/A
Illinois No N/A N/A
Indiana No N/A N/A
Iowa No N/A N/A
Kansas No N/A N/A
Kentucky Yes No later than 2 weeks after the start of the public school year N/A
Louisiana Yes Submitted to LDE within 30 days of beginning homeschooling. N/A
Maine Yes Within 10 days of commencing homeschooling Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction
Maryland Yes At least 15 days before commencing homeschooling Maryland State Home School Notification
Massachusetts Yes N/A N/A
Michigan No N/A N/A
Minnesota Yes By October 1st or within 15 days of withdrawing student from public school Initial Registration Form and Letter of Intent to Continue to Provide Instruction
Mississippi Yes Every year by September 15th Certificate of Enrollment
Missouri No N/A N/A
Montana Yes N/A N/A
Nebraska No N/A N/A
Nevada Yes Within 10 days of withdrawing from school, or within 30 days of becoming state resident Notice of Intent to Homeschool in Nevada
New Hampshire Yes Within 5 days of commencing homeschooling Notification of Commencement of a Home Education Program (Non mandatory)
New Jersey No N/A N/A
New Mexico Yes Within 30 days of commencing homeschooling and by August 1st every following year N/A
New York Yes Within 14 days of commencing homeschooling or by July 1st every year Letter of Intent for Home School (NYC)
North Carolina Yes N/A N/A
North Dakota Yes At least 14 days before commencing homeschooling or within 14 days of moving into a new school district. (Submitted annually) Statement of Intent Home Education
Ohio Yes Within one week of moving into a new district, within one week of the child's withdrawal from school, or no later than the first week of the district public school's start. Home Education Notification Form
Oklahoma No N/A N/A
Oregon Yes Within 10 days of withdrawing from public school or beginning homeschooling. N/A
Pennsylvania Yes Before commencing homeschool (Submitted August 1st every following year) Affidavit of the Supervisor of a Home Education Program
Rhode Island Yes Before commencing homeschooling Home School Letter of Intent
South Carolina No N/A N/A
South Dakota Yes Within 30 days of commencing homeschooling Notification for Public School Exemption Certificate
Tennessee Yes Prior to the start of the school year Notice of Intent to Home School
Texas No N/A N/A
Utah Yes Before commencing homeschooling Model Affidavit and Exemption Certificate for Home School Instruction(Non mandatory)
Vermont Yes Before commencing homeschooling Use Online application or Home Study Form A
Virginia Yes Every year by August 15th Sample Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction
Washington Yes Each year, by September 15th or within two weeks of the start of a school quarter, trimester, or semester. N/A
West Virginia Yes On or before the date of homeschooling Homeschool Notice of Intent
Wisconsin Yes Submitted annually on or before October 15th. Online application
Wyoming No N/A N/A

It is crucial to check with your state’s Department of Education to ensure compliance with local laws. In some states, additional documentation, such as immunization records or proof of educational qualifications for the homeschooling parent, may be required.

Homeschooling Legal Requirements

The legal requirements for homeschooling vary by state, so it’s essential to research and understand the laws in your area before drafting your letter of intent. Here’s an overview of some of the legal requirements for homeschooling by state:

State Compulsory Attendance Age Testing Requirements Additional Requirements
Alaska Ages 7-16 No requirements under the AK home school statute. 4 options available
Alabama Ages 7-16 N/A N/A
Arizona Ages 6-16 No testing requirements. Submit notarized affidavit and documents
Arkansas Ages 6-16 Yes, homeschooled students are required to participate in either state testing or state-approved alternative testing procedures. File written notice to homeschool
California N/A No required testing at this time. 3 options: public school independent study, private school satellite, or private tutor
Colorado Ages 7-16 Testing in grades 3,5,7,9,and 11 or evaluation by a qualified person and results must be submitted to the school district. Documentation of intent to homeschool, attendance, test and evaluation results and immunization records must be kept and produced for the school district.
Connecticut Ages 7-17 No annual testing. The state suggests parents complete the Intent to Homeschool form for each child annually and submit it to the Superintendent’s office for signature, but asks parents to check with their local school district.
Delaware Ages 5-16 It is recommended for parents to keep portfolios. Homeschooling is considered a “non-public school” and families must register, keep attendance, and annual enrollment with the Delaware Department of Education.
Florida Ages 6-16 Annual testing, or evaluation of the portfolio and student. Must notify the state each year, portfolio, must have an annual review (several options), and can participate in extracurricular activities w/school.
Georgia Ages 6-16 Must test at least every three years, beginning in 3rd grade. Must submit a declaration of intent (online), but umbrella schools are welcomed. Parent must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Hawaii Ages 6-18 Must test in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 Must submit an intent to homeschool or Form 4140 and it must be officially acknowledged. Also, must keep a record of planned curriculum with semester dates, hours per week, and subjects of instruction. An annual progress report, showing satisfactory progress in all content areas, shall be submitted at the end of each school year.
Idaho Ages 7-16 Parents are encouraged to test their homeschooled children, who are permitted to take the statewide annual exams. Does not require registration or reporting.
Illinois Ages 6-17 No required standardized testing or reporting. Parents are not required to register with the state. Also, homeschool considered a “non-public” school – no real statutes regarding homeschooling.
Indiana Age 7 until graduation N/A 180 days and attendance records. May participate in extracurricular activities. Also, considered non-public, non-accredited schools.
Iowa Ages 6-16 Annual assessment depending on your choice of options. “Standardized testing or portfolio assessment may be chosen.” 148 attendance days each year, with at least 37 each quarter. Several requirements if providing “competent private instruction.” However, no requirements if providing “independent private instruction.”
Kansas Ages 7-18 Periodic testing. Homeschooling is considered a “non-accredited private school” and must register the school name and address with the Kansas Board of Education.
Kentucky Ages 6-18 None specified. Defined as a private school and asked to create a school name. Notification of the homeschool and identification of every student is required upon registration. Keep course records, attendance records.
Louisiana Ages 6-18 None specified. Must apply and be approved annually. Additionally, can participate in athletics. Considered a “home study plan.”
Maine Ages 6-17 Annual assessments required. Must complete one of the following: (1) a standardized test, (2) a test set by the school official but allowed to be taken at home, (3) review & acceptance of the student’s progress by a certified Maine teacher, (4) portfolio assessment by a support group with a certified Maine teacher, or (5) “a review and acceptance of the student’s progress by a local advisory board selected by the superintendent of the administrative unit in which the student resides that includes one administrative unit employee and two home instruction tutors.” Notice of intent, initially and each subsequent year. Testing results must be submitted. 175 days.
Maryland Ages 5-16 Portfolio review from a school system representative. Request a homeschool info packet from DOE, submit forms, and approval required.
Massachusetts Ages 6-16 May be required by local school officials. Prior approval is a prerequisite before beginning to homeschool.
Michigan Ages 6-18 None, but students can participate in the local school district testing. Reporting is not required unless parent is requesting special needs assistance. Parents that register their homeschools must have a bachelor’s degree unless their religious beliefs preclude teacher certification requirements.
Minnesota Ages 7-17 Must test every year. Must file a letter of intent. The homeschool program must be accredited or the parent must submit instructor qualifications.
Also, in the first year of homeschooling and in the 7th grade, immunization records must be submitted to the local school district.
Mississippi Ages 6-17 A homeschooled student transferring to a public school may be required to test. Required to fill out a simple enrollment form and describe the curriculum used. “The parent or guardian of a child enrolled in a legitimate homeschooling program is required to complete a “certificate of enrollment” and return it to the school attendance officer where such child resides on or before September 15 of each year.”
Missouri Ages 7-17 None required. Notification of homeschooling is requested but not mandated. “A parent who is homeschooling a child must maintain the following records: a plan book, diary, daily log, or other written record indicating the subjects taught and the activities engaged in with the student; a portfolio containing samples of the student’s academic work; and a record of evaluation of the student’s academic progress.”
Montana Ages 7-16 None required Students must be enrolled and registered within the first week of the school term. Must maintain and provide attendance and immunization records, must school a minimum number of hours, must notify the local DOE superintendent.
Nebraska Ages 6-16 “the Department may deem it necessary to conduct regular achievement testing.” Considered exempt schools. Must register all students annually with identification, affidavit of intent to homeschool, and curriculum summary. Must school a minimum number of hours. Immunization requirements: “Each exempt school that is not exempt for religious reasons shall require each student to be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus prior to enrollment. On and after July 1, 2010, every student entering the seventh grade shall have a booster immunization containing diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and an acellular pertussis vaccine.”
Nevada Ages 7-18 None required. File a notice of intent to homeschool with the Nevada standard form before beginning to homeschool, and compose an educational plan.
New Hampshire Ages 6-18 Annual evaluation (several options, but it’s either testing or evaluation by a certified official). Must submit written notification and identification to register with the commissioner of the department of education or resident district superintendent. Must keep a portfolio.
New Jersey Ages 6-16 None required. Can get a NJ state high school diploma by passing the GED, “or by completing 30 general education credits leading to a degree at an accredited institution of higher education and meeting current state assessment graduation requirements”
New Mexico Ages 5-18 None required. Notify the state each year. Keep track of attendance (180 days), must have a diploma or GED, and keep immunization records.
New York Ages 6-16 Annually only for high school Submit letter of intent by July 1st annually, and a homeschool plan. Must school 180 days and send in quarterly reports as well as an annual assessment with the fourth quarter report. “If a child’s annual assessment does not comply with the requirements of 8 CCR-NY 100.10 (h), the home instruction program will be put on probation and the parent must submit a remediation plan.”
North Carolina Ages 7-16 “Students attending a home school must be tested academically once each year through a nationally standardized test or other nationally standardized equivalent measurement. The test must measure achievement in English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics for students and verbal and quantitative areas for grade 11 students.” Must hold a high school diploma, file an intent to homeschool. Also, must operate 9 months a year. Also keep attendance and immunization records.
North Dakota Ages 7-16 “A student receiving home education must take the standardized test used by the school district in which the student resides in grades four, six, eight, and ten” Must have a high school diploma, must notify annually with identification, education plan, and immunization records. Also, must keep attendance (175 days, minimum of 4 hours per day). Additionally, must maintain an annual record of student courses and assessments. Homeschooling parents must have a high school diploma. Or an equivalent. They can additionally be monitored by a certified teacher for 2 years. High school students may qualify for a state-approved diploma if they meet the graduation requirements with documentation.
Ohio Ages 6-18 Submit Annual assessment or a portfolio Parents must have high school diploma/equivalent, notify superintendent, and school 900 hours per year. “If the annual academic assessment indicates that the child is not demonstrating reasonable proficiency, the parent will be required to develop a plan of remediation and submit a quarterly report of the child’s progress to the superintendent.”
Oklahoma Ages 5-18 None “No state policy currently exists.”
Oregon Ages 6-18 At the the end of grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Notify local school district when beginning to homeschool with identification and receive acknowledgment in writing. Notification only required initially, not annually.
Pennsylvania Ages 8-17 Annual written evaluation, portfolio assessment in grades 3, 5, and 8 or the results of a standardized test. Must file an affidavit with identification of students and immunization records, documentation is due by August 1st annually, must have 180 days of instruction, must keep a portfolio. Also, homeschool instructor must have a high school diploma/equivalent.
Rhode Island Ages 6-18 “The parent and the local school committee must agree on a method of evaluating the student’s progress in all required subjects.” Seek approval from local district, keep attendance records, and school 180 days with a minimum of 5.5 hours per day.
South Carolina Ages 5-17 Required annual testing. Must receive approval from the district board of trustees to homeschool. Also, parent must have a high school diploma/equivalent. Additionally, must keep attendance for at least 180 days, 4.5 hours per day. Parents must keep a portfolio of records.
South Dakota Up to 18 No standardized testing requirements. Must file exemption only when beginning to homeschool.
Tennessee Ages 6-17 Depends on the type of homeschool you have. Provide annual notice along with a few other requirements.
Texas Ages 6-18 None. Texas does not have any homeschooling laws or require parents to register or report.
Utah Ages 6-18 May participate, but testing is not required. Must submit a notarized affidavit of intent to homeschool. “Home school students will receive a certificate from the local school board excusing their attendance from the public schools during the time specified on the certificate.”
Virginia Ages 5-18 Annually with options. Results of either academic testing or an official evaluation by a certified teacher/equivalent must be submitted by August 1st. Students at least 16 are permitted to take the GED test to earn a state-approved high school certificate or diploma. Annually submit intent to homeschool before August 15th and a description of curriculum to be used. Also, must ensure the state immunization requirements for public schooled students are being met. Additionally, parents must have a high school diploma/equivalent.
Vermont Ages 6-16 “An annual assessment is required. Several options are open to parents, including assessment by a Vermont licensed teacher, complete results of a standardized achievement test, or a report by the instructor accompanied by a portfolio of the child’s work.” Considered “home study.” Annual written enrollment sent to the secretary with student identification, assessment of the previous year’s progress, & a description of the curriculum plan.
Washington Ages 8-18 Annual standardized testing or assessment of progress by a certified teacher. Parent must meet qualifications. Also must submit annual declaration of intent by September 15th. Additionally, attendance must meet at least “1,000 hours in grades one through 12.” However, to qualify, parents must have “earned either 45 college-level credit hours awarded in quarters or its equivalent in semester hours, or has completed a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary institution or vocational-technical institute”
Wisconsin Ages 6-18 Not required. Must provide notice of home school enrollment by October 15th annually.
West Virginia Ages 6-16 Assessments (portfolio or testing) must be done yearly, results kept in your files for 3 years and only submitted to the county board of education for 3,5,8, and 11th grades. Must submit a one-time notice of intent to homeschool per child. Also must submit an education plan. Additionally, instruction must be equal to the term of the county. And parent must have a high school diploma. Must be approved before beginning.
Wyoming Ages 7-16 Permitted to participate in standardized testing but not required. Annually must submit a curriculum plan meeting the instruction requirements to the local board of trustees.

Organizations like HSLDA offer free resources on homeschooling laws by state

Homeschool Letter of Intent Sample

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Homeschool Letter of Intent Template

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child return to public school after homeschooling?

Yes, your child can return to public school. Schools may require assessments to determine the appropriate grade level. Keep detailed records of your child’s work to help with the transition.

Do I need to provide an annual evaluation for my homeschooled child?

Many states require annual evaluations, which can include standardized test scores, a portfolio of work, or a progress report. Check your state’s homeschooling laws for specific requirements.

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Homeschool Letter of Intent Template

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