Florida · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Florida

Florida asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile onceWithin 30 days of beginning to home educate; one-time notice to local superintendent (no annual renewal required under HEP pathway)

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction time180 days a year

RecordsKeep 2 years

How to start homeschooling in Florida

Written from Florida's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Florida asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Within 30 days of beginning to home educate; one-time notice to local superintendent (no annual renewal required under HEP pathway) This is a one-time filing — you will not repeat it each year. It goes to Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway).
Choose what to teach
Florida does not name required subjects, so your curriculum is your own decision. Most families still cover reading, writing, and math daily, and let interest lead the rest.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Florida expects records to be kept for 2 years.
Plan the yearly assessment early
Florida asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: Home Education Program (Option 1): annual evaluation — choose one: (a) nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (b) evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher based on portfolio review; (c) Florida state assessment administered at an approved site; (d) evaluation by a licensed psychologist; (e) another valid assessment tool agreed upon by parent and superintendent; Umbrella/Private School (Option 2): no external assessment or portfolio required — school sets its own policies; Private Tutor (Option 3): no separate assessment required. Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway) — www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/other-school-choice-options/homeschool/. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway)
When it is due: Within 30 days of beginning to home educate; one-time notice to local superintendent (no annual renewal required under HEP pathway)
How often: Once, when you begin
Notarized?: No
Official form: www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/other-school-choice-options/homeschool/
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: Home Education Program (Option 1): annual evaluation — choose one: (a) nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (b) evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher based on portfolio review; (c) Florida state assessment administered at an approved site; (d) evaluation by a licensed psychologist; (e) another valid assessment tool agreed upon by parent and superintendent
Umbrella/Private School (Option 2): no external assessment or portfolio required — school sets its own policies
Private Tutor (Option 3): no separate assessment required
Named tests: Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)TerraNovaCAT/5Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) / FSA (at approved site)
Portfolio: A portfolio of your child's work must be kept and may be reviewed

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Florida does not name required subjects — the curriculum is yours to choose.
Instruction time: 180 days a year
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: Keep your records for 2 years.
Legal routes: Option 1 – Home Education Program: one-time notice to superintendent within 30 days; maintain portfolio (log of activities + work samples); annual evaluation; no subjects or hours mandated — compulsory ages 6–16
Option 2 – Private/Umbrella School: enroll with a private school that accepts home educators; 180 days instruction required; attendance and immunization records; no notice, portfolio, or external assessment required — school manages compliance
Option 3 – Private Tutor: teaching parent must hold Florida teaching certificate; no notice, portfolio, or assessment required
Umbrella / cover schools: Florida has a robust umbrella/cover school ecosystem. Families enroll their children in a private school that functions as a home education umbrella. The umbrella school handles enrollment records, transcripts, and attendance; families teach at home with no portfolio or annual evaluation required. Examples include Florida Home Education Foundation (FLHEF) member schools, Bridgeway Academy, and dozens of local co-op umbrella schools. Umbrella school students are not subject to Option 1 notice/portfolio/evaluation requirements. See flhef.org for a directory.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: Florida was the original Tim Tebow state (1996 law, strengthened in 2021). Home education program students may participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities, including sports, at the public school they would otherwise attend. Students must meet the same eligibility standards (academic requirements, residency) as enrolled students. Umbrella school students participate through their school's athletic associations rather than public schools.
Dual enrollment: Florida home education students may dual enroll in Florida College System institutions and career education courses. The Dual Enrollment program is funded by the state. Students must meet college placement requirements. Umbrella school students may also participate depending on their school's agreements.
Diplomas: Florida does not issue diplomas to home education students. Parents issue diplomas and transcripts. Umbrella school diplomas are recognized by many Florida colleges. The Florida Department of Education offers a Home Education Achievement Program seal for eligible students.
College admissions: Florida public universities (UF, FSU, USF, etc.) have well-established homeschool admissions pathways requiring SAT/ACT scores, a parent transcript, and course descriptions. Florida Bright Futures scholarships are available to home education students who meet eligibility requirements through the annual evaluation process.
Support for additional needs: Florida home education students do not retain FAPE rights. However, Florida offers Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) — districts must provide certain services to home-educated students with disabilities upon request. The McKay Scholarship and Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES-EO) are available for students with disabilities who were previously enrolled in public school.

Money your family can claim in Florida

Personalized Education Program (PEP)

Run by Step Up For Students · payments through Step Up For Students (EMA)

About $8,000 per student on average. The exact amount is set each year by the Florida Legislature and varies by county.

How you get it: Buy what your child needs, then submit an itemized receipt for reimbursement — or purchase inside the program marketplace.

Instructional materials, curriculum, part-time tuition and tutoring, and nationally standardized tests are all named as things the account can cover.

Source: www.stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/personalized-education-program/. Checked July 25, 2026. Eligibility and application dates are set by the program — the official page is always the last word.

Questions parents ask about Florida

Is homeschooling legal in Florida?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Florida. Florida has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can track your compliance automatically.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Florida?

Yes. Florida requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Within 30 days of beginning to home educate; one-time notice to local superintendent (no annual renewal required under HEP pathway). This is a one-time filing when you begin homeschooling.

How many instruction days are required in Florida?

Florida requires 180 days a year.

What subjects are required by law in Florida?

Florida does not mandate specific subjects, giving families complete freedom to design their own curriculum.

Does Florida require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Florida requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Home Education Program (Option 1): annual evaluation — choose one: (a) nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by a certified teacher; (b) evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher based on portfolio review; (c) Florida state assessment administered at an approved site; (d) evaluation by a licensed psychologist; (e) another valid assessment tool agreed upon by parent and superintendent, Umbrella/Private School (Option 2): no external assessment or portfolio required — school sets its own policies, Private Tutor (Option 3): no separate assessment required.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Florida?

No. Florida does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Florida?

Yes. Florida has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. Florida was the original Tim Tebow state (1996 law, strengthened in 2021). Home education program students may participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities, including sports, at the public school they would otherwise attend. Students must meet the same eligibility standards (academic requirements, residency) as enrolled students. Umbrella school students participate through their school's athletic associations rather than public schools.

Worth knowing about Florida

Florida is often considered one of the more homeschool-friendly states despite some paperwork requirements. The Home Education Program (Option 1) is the most used pathway: one-time notice, portfolio maintained (not submitted unless requested), and annual evaluation. No subjects or instructional hours are mandated under Option 1. The umbrella/private school option removes even those requirements. The Florida Parent-Educators Association (FPEA at fpea.com) is the leading advocacy and support organization.

Who to ask in Florida

Regulator: Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway)
Official site: www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/other-school-choice-options/homeschool/
Forms: www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/other-school-choice-options/homeschool/

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Florida's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Georgia Hawaii Idaho All 51 →

This page was written from Florida's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Florida Department of Education / Local School Superintendent (Home Education Program) / Private School (Umbrella pathway). This is information for families, not legal advice.

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