Where do I start?

There are three different options for homeschooling in FL.

  • Option One: Home schools can operate under the home school law.
  • Option Two: More than one home school can operate as a private school.
  • Option Three: Home schools can operate under the private tutor law.
Below we will discuss Option One. For more information on Option Two and Three, see The 2008 Florida Statutes

What age?

"All children who have attained the age of 6 years or who will have attained the age of 6 years by February 1 of any school year or who are older than 6 years of age but who have not attained the age of 16 years...are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term." Florida Statutes Annotated section 1003.21(1).

Notification

To homeschool in Florida, it is not necessary to have a teaching certificate. However, you must notify your District Superintendent within 30 days of the establishment of your home education program.
The person of contact for Bay District Schools is Debbie Hurst. She can be reached at (850)872-4338.

Letter of Intent to Homeschool

Portfolio

You are required to maintain a portfolio of records and materials. The portfolio shall consist of the following:

  1. A log of educational activities that is made contemporaneously with the instruction and that designates by title any reading materials used.
  2. Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student.

The portfolio must be preserved by the parent for 2 years and be made available for inspection by your District Superintendent upon 15 days' written notice.

For help in preparing a portfolio, see our Portfolio Page.

Taken from The 2008 Florida Statutes

Evaluations

You must provide for an annual educational evaluation of your child. You may choose the method of evaluation, but must file a copy of the evaluation annually with your District Superintendent's office in the county in which your chid resides. The evaluation is due on or before the anniversary of the date you filed your letter of intent with the District.
The annual educational evaluation shall consist of one of the following:

  1. You may choose to have your child evaluated by a teacher that holds a valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level. The teacher will review the portfolio and have a discussion with the student.
  2. The student may take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher.
  3. The student may take the FCAT administered by school district personnel.
  4. The student may be evaluated by a psychologist or school psychologist.

For more details see The 2008 Florida Statutes

Check here for a list of local certified teachers who have offered their services to homeschoolers.