Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Florida - from filing your Notice of Intent to choosing an annual evaluation. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Florida is one of the most popular states for homeschooling, and for good reason. The legal framework is clear, the requirements are manageable, and parents have significant freedom in choosing curriculum and teaching methods.
Florida homeschool law is governed by F.S. §1002.41 (Home Education Programs), §1002.42 (Private Schools), and §1002.43 (Private Tutoring). Most families use the Home Education Program path, which requires a one-time Notice of Intent, a portfolio of student work, and an annual evaluation.
The state does not mandate specific subjects, specific curricula, or a minimum number of school days under the Home Education path. You teach what you want, how you want, on your own schedule.
Florida's NOI is a one-time filing - not annual. Once you file, you are covered until you move to another county or stop homeschooling. This is one of the simplest notification requirements in the country.
Florida offers three legal ways to homeschool your children. Each has different requirements, benefits, and trade-offs. Here is how they compare.
| Requirement | Home Education | Private Umbrella | Private Tutor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Basis | F.S. §1002.41 | F.S. §1002.42 | F.S. §1002.43 |
| Notification | NOI to superintendent (one-time) | Enroll in private school | None required |
| Attendance | No minimum days or hours | 180 days | 180 days |
| Teacher Qualification | None (parent teaches) | Set by umbrella school | FL-certified teacher required |
| Required Subjects | None mandated | Set by school | Set by statute |
| Portfolio | Required (maintained 2 years) | Per school policy | Required |
| Annual Evaluation | Required (5 options) | Per school policy | Required |
| Best For | Most families | Families wanting structure | Families hiring a tutor |
The Home Education Program under F.S. §1002.41 is used by the vast majority of Florida homeschool families. You file a one-time Notice of Intent with your county superintendent, maintain a portfolio, and submit an annual evaluation. There are no required subjects, no required curriculum, and no minimum number of school days.
You can enroll your child in a private school that covers homeschoolers (sometimes called a "cover school" or "umbrella school"). The school handles compliance reporting. Your child is technically enrolled as a private school student, so you follow the school's policies on attendance (typically 180 days) and subjects. This path works well for families who want administrative support.
Under F.S. §1002.43, a Florida-certified teacher provides instruction for a minimum of 180 days per year. The tutor maintains a portfolio and submits evaluation results. This option is less common because it requires a certified teacher, but it can be a good fit for families who hire professional educators.
If you are new to homeschooling and want maximum flexibility with minimum paperwork, the Home Education Program is almost always the right choice. It has the fewest requirements and gives you the most freedom.
To begin homeschooling under the Home Education Program, you must file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with your county's district superintendent. This is the only formal step required to start.
If you stop homeschooling, you must file a termination notice with the superintendent within 30 days. Failure to do so can cause issues if you later re-enroll your child in public school or restart homeschooling.
Keep a copy of your filed NOI and any confirmation from the district. Some counties provide a receipt or acknowledgment letter - save it with your records. Blue Folder can generate an NOI letter for you, pre-filled with your information. Try it free →
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Under the Home Education Program, Florida does not require a minimum number of school days or instructional hours. You set your own schedule. There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar, and you can school year-round, take breaks whenever you want, or adjust your schedule as needed.
That said, you are required to maintain a contemporaneous activity log as part of your portfolio. This log documents that education is happening on a regular basis and is typically reviewed during your annual evaluation.
Even though Florida does not require a set number of days, most experienced homeschool families log between 160-180 days of instruction. This creates a strong record and demonstrates consistent educational progress during evaluations.
If you use the Private School Umbrella or Private Tutor path, the minimum is 180 school days per year, consistent with Florida's public school calendar.
Florida requires Home Education families to maintain a portfolio of educational records. This portfolio serves as your evidence of instruction and is reviewed during your annual evaluation.
Keep your portfolio organized by month or by subject. Use Blue Folder to track attendance, upload work samples, and generate your compliance binder in one click - so you are always ready if the district requests a review. Try it free →
The 2-year retention requirement means you should keep portfolios from the previous two school years. If you throw away last year's portfolio and the superintendent requests it, you could face a compliance issue.
Florida requires an annual evaluation to demonstrate that your child is making educational progress commensurate with their ability. The evaluation is due on the anniversary date of your NOI filing each year.
Submit a brief evaluation letter to the county superintendent stating that the student is making adequate progress. The letter does not need to include detailed scores or results - just a confirmation from the evaluator.
If your child scores below the 35th percentile on a standardized test, you have one year to demonstrate improvement. You will be placed on probation and must provide a remediation plan. If the student still does not show progress after the probationary year, further action may be taken by the district. Many families switch to the portfolio review option to avoid test-score pressure.
Mark your NOI anniversary date on your calendar. Your evaluation is due on that date each year - not at the end of the school year, not in May, but on the specific anniversary of when you filed. Blue Folder tracks this deadline for you automatically. Try it free →
Under the Home Education Program (F.S. §1002.41), Florida does not mandate any specific subjects. You are free to design your own curriculum and teach whatever subjects you believe are important for your child's education.
This is one of the biggest advantages of homeschooling in Florida. You can follow a traditional curriculum, use an eclectic approach, pursue interest-led learning, or create your own program entirely.
While not required, many Florida homeschool families choose to cover these common subject areas:
Even though subjects are not mandated, covering a well-rounded set of academic areas strengthens your portfolio and makes annual evaluations smoother. If you plan to transition your child to public school or college, having records of traditional subjects is helpful for credit placement.
Florida homeschool deadlines are relatively straightforward. Here are the dates you need to know.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Within 30 days of starting | File Notice of Intent | One-time filing with county superintendent. Include student names, addresses, birthdates, and parent signature. |
| NOI anniversary date | Annual evaluation due | Submit evaluation results (portfolio review letter or test scores) to superintendent. |
| Within 30 days of stopping | File termination notice | Notify superintendent if you discontinue homeschooling or move to another county. |
| January - February | State assessment registration | If using B.E.S.T. as your evaluation method, contact your district early to arrange testing. |
If you fail to submit your annual evaluation by the anniversary date, the superintendent's office may send a notice of non-compliance. Continued failure to comply can result in being placed on probation or having your home education status revoked, requiring enrollment in a public or private school.
Florida offers several scholarship and voucher programs that homeschool families can take advantage of to offset educational expenses.
Formerly known as the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, PEP provides approximately $8,000 per student per year for qualifying families. Funds can be used for curriculum materials, tutoring, online courses, and other approved educational expenses. Income eligibility requirements apply.
This scholarship is designed for students with qualifying disabilities (IEP or Section 504 plan from a Florida public school). It provides approximately $10,000+ per year and can cover specialized therapy, assistive technology, curriculum, and other disability-related educational expenses.
Both scholarship programs are administered through Step Up For Students (stepupforstudents.org). Applications typically open in January for the following school year. Check their website for current deadlines and eligibility requirements.
Florida is one of the more welcoming states for homeschoolers who want to access public school resources. Several options are available.
Under F.S. 1006.15, homeschooled students have the right to participate in extracurricular activities, including interscholastic sports, at their zoned public school. Your child must meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students (residency, conduct, academic standards). Contact your zoned school's athletic department to register.
Homeschooled students can enroll in individual courses at their local public school on a part-time basis. This is useful for subjects like advanced math, lab sciences, or foreign languages where specialized instruction or equipment is helpful.
High school-age homeschoolers (typically 10th-12th grade) can take college courses at a Florida state college or university through dual enrollment programs. Credits count toward both high school completion and college. Tuition and fees are covered by the state for eligible students. This is an excellent way to get a head start on college while building a strong transcript.
Dual enrollment can significantly reduce the cost and time of earning a college degree. Many Florida homeschool students graduate with an Associate's degree or significant college credit by age 18.
Florida's homeschool laws are straightforward, but new families still run into avoidable problems. Here are the most common ones.
If you withdraw your child from public school to homeschool, file your NOI before or within 30 days of the withdrawal date. Do not wait months to file - the district may consider your child truant during the gap.
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Track Florida ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with your county school district superintendent's office or consult a qualified attorney. For the full text of the law, see Florida Statutes §1002.41. Last updated February 2026.