What Is a Homeschool Letter of Intent?
A homeschool letter of intent informs school districts or the state that your child will be taught at home. It includes details about where your child will be taught and what subjects they will learn. Sending this letter helps you meet state education requirements and avoid truancy. Plus, you can take responsibility for your child’s schooling.
How to Write a Letter of Intent to Homeschool
Writing a letter of intent to homeschool requires you to include complete and accurate information. Use the following steps to create a valid record of your intent to homeschool.
1. Identify the Parties Involved
Provide the name, phone number, and email address of the parents or legal guardians writing the letter. Also, record the full legal name of the child or children who will be homeschooled. For each child, note their date of birth, gender, and grade level.
2. Set the Duration
Include the start and end date of the child’s homeschool program or process. Also, include the beginning and ending school year to ensure the child receives the required years of learning.
3. Describe the Homeschooling Process
Detail the intended homeschooling process, including the instructor, location, and subjects. Name the primary education provider, such as the parent, guardian, or private instructor. Also note whether education will occur in the child’s home or at a separate location. Check your state laws for required subject matters and include a list of each area in which the child will learn.
4. Address and Send Your Letter
Once you’ve added all necessary details, address your letter to the required recipients. Submit your homeschool letter of intent to the school district in which the child lives. Provide the name of the school district and superintendent with the corresponding city, state, and ZIP code.
Additional Documents for Success
If your homeschooled child ever goes on field trips through a local co-op, you can prepare a couple of forms for their safety. A child travel consent form authorizes them to travel with another adult, while a child medical consent form lets an adult make medical decisions for them in your absence.
Sample Homeschool Letter of Intent
Legal Templates’s free homeschool letter of intent offers customizable terms to meet your needs and state requirements. Download our form, available in PDF and Word formats, to inform others that your child will be attending homeschool.
Homeschool Requirements by State
Each state has its own legal requirements for homeschooling practices. Following the necessary procedures for notifying school districts, testing students, and meeting attendance requirements. Use the table below for an overview of homeschooling laws by state.
| State | Is a Letter of Intent to Homeschool Required? | Deadline | Where to Send | Compulsory Attendance Ages | Testing Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Within 5 days of the opening of the public school AL Code § 16-28-7 |
County superintendent of education | 7-16 | None |
| Alaska | No | N/A | N/A | 7-16 | None |
| Arizona | Yes | Within 30 days of starting to homeschool A.R.S. §15-802 (B)(2) |
Superintendent of public instruction | 6-16 | None |
| Arkansas | Yes | At the beginning of each school year but no later than August 15 AR Code § 6-15-503 |
Superintendent of their local school district | 5-17 | None |
| California | Yes | October 15 EDC § 33190 |
Superintendent of Public Instruction | 6-18 | None |
