A letter of intent to homeschool is simply a letter that you submit to your local school district informing them of your intention to homeschool your child(ren). The letter should include your child’s name, address, and date of birth. You will also need to include a statement of intent, indicating that you will be responsible for your child’s home education and that you understand the requirements of homeschooling in your state.
You might want to read more about letters of intent on our general LOI page.
What is Considered Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is defined as the education of children at home, typically by parents, rather than in a formal school setting. Homeschooling can be an option for families who are not satisfied with the traditional school system, who have children with special needs, or who want to provide their children with religious or alternative education.
There are a few different ways to homeschool, including online programs, curriculum packages, and customizing your own curriculum. No matter which method you choose, it is important to make sure that you are meeting the state requirements for homeschooling. These requirements vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your local school district or homeschooling organization for more information.
How to Fill Out a Letter of Intent to Homeschool
There are some key details that should appear in every homeschool letter of intent form.
Step 1 – Information about the school district and the date
The first paragraph should contain the date of the letter, the name of the school district’s top executive (superintendent), and the school district’s number.
Step 2 – The statement to open the letter
Next, the letter should state its purpose which is notifying the board of the school about the reasons to transfer your child(ren) from to homeschool education.
Step 3 – Information about children
Next, the letter should provide information about each of your children), including their name, gender, and birth date.
Step 4 – Addresses of the homeschooled-to-be
Next, give the address of the child(ren) who will be learning at a home school.
Step 5 – Details about the teacher
A letter of intent to homeschool should tell who will be teaching your child(ren), and what subjects they will teach.
It should also state that in accordance with the state bodies regulating education matters, you will provide materials demonstrating proper homeschool education.
Step 6 – Signatures
At the end of the letter, the teacher should provide their signature, their full name and contact information (email and phone number), as well as the parents/guardians signature and contact information.
Step 7 – Notarization
The teacher and parent/guardian signatures should be notarized. To ensure that your letter of intent to homeschool is legally binding, some states require that the document be notarized. Your state might require a notary’s signature on your letter, or might not. Check with your state to find out.
What Are the Benefits of Homeschooling?
There are a number of benefits to homeschooling, including:
-
Families can tailor the curriculum to meet their child’s individual needs
-
Homeschooled children often score higher on standardized tests than their public school friends
-
Homeschooled children typically have more flexible schedules
As we have mentioned, homeschooling can be a great option for families who are not satisfied with the traditional school system.
What Should Be Included in a Letter of Intent to Homeschool?
A letter of intent to homeschool form should include the following:
-
Child’s name, address, and date of birth
-
Parent’s name and address
-
A statement of intent indicating that the parent understands the requirements of homeschooling in their state and will be responsible for their child’s home education.
While a letter of intent is not required in all states, it is a good way to officially notify your school district of your homeschooling plans. If you have any questions about whether or not you need to submit a homeschool letter of intent, be sure to check with your local school district.
What Homeschooling Requirements Do States Set?
While homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, each state has its own set of requirements and regulations. These requirements can include things like mandatory testing at the end of a school year, immunization records, and notification of the school district.
For instance, states such as Alabama, California, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, South Carolina, and some others do not require the parents who want to homeschool their children to send a formal notice to their school. While Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, and others require parents to provide formal notification to the school board.
At the same time, there are states that pose some testing requirements. Among those states are Arkansas, Colorado, Florida Georgia, Iowa, Maine, etc.
In terms of subjects to be studied by homeschooled kids, the state either specifies the subjects that need to be taught or leaves a gap for parents. For instance, in California, the subjects are defined and will vary between grades 1-6 and grades 7-12, while in Iowa, there is a limited list of general subjects that need to be learned within every school year.
The Bottom Line
While a homeschool letter of intent form is not required in all states, it is a good way to officially notify your school district of your homeschooling plans. If you have any questions about whether or not you need to submit a letter of intent to homeschool, be sure to check with your local school district.