Florida is one of the best states for homeschooling. With straightforward requirements and strong legal protections, the Sunshine State welcomes homeschool families. According to HSLDA’s Florida homeschool guide, the state has minimal regulations while over 100,000 Florida students are homeschooled each year.
Florida gives you two main paths: registering with your school district or joining an umbrella school. This guide explains both options so you can choose what fits your family best.
Florida Homeschool Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Legal (home education program) |
| Notification | Required within 30 days of starting |
| Required Subjects | Not specified by law |
| Evaluation | Annual evaluation required |
| Record Keeping | Portfolio required (2 year retention) |
| Compulsory Age | 6-16 years old |
| Teacher Requirements | None |
Bottom line: Florida requires a notice of intent and yearly evaluations, but gives you complete freedom in what and how you teach.
Two Ways to Homeschool in Florida
Florida law provides two options for home education:
Option 1: Home Education Program
Most families choose this route. You notify your school district, keep a portfolio, and do an annual evaluation. You have full control over curriculum and schedule. This is the most popular choice for Florida homeschoolers.
Option 2: Umbrella School
You can also enroll in a private school that has a home education program. The umbrella school handles paperwork and may provide curriculum guidance. You teach at home. This option offers more support but less independence.
This guide focuses on Option 1, the most popular choice.
How to Start Homeschooling in Florida
Step 1: Send Your Notice of Intent
Within 30 days of starting your homeschool, notify your school district. Send a letter to the superintendent that includes:
- Your name and address
- Names and birthdates of all children you’ll homeschool
- Your signature
That’s it. Keep it simple. Many districts have sample letters on their websites. The Florida Department of Education home education page has additional guidance.
Important: File within 30 days of starting homeschool, not before. And you only file once. It’s not an annual thing—just a one-time notification.
Step 2: Choose Your Curriculum
Florida doesn’t tell you what to teach. You have complete freedom to decide. Popular options include:
- Boxed curriculum: Abeka, BJU Press, Sonlight (everything in one package)
- Online programs: Time4Learning, Florida Virtual School
- Mix and match: Different publishers for different subjects
- Free resources: Khan Academy, Easy Peasy, library materials
- Unit studies: Theme-based learning covering multiple subjects
- Charlotte Mason: Literature-rich, nature-focused approach
Many Florida families adjust their schedule around the weather. School in the morning, beach in the afternoon? That’s absolutely allowed. The flexibility is one of the best parts of Florida homeschooling.
Step 3: Set Up Your Portfolio
Florida requires you to keep a portfolio. This should include:
- Log of educational activities: A simple record of what you did and when
- Titles of reading materials: List books your child reads
- Work samples: Save worksheets, projects, and writings
- Any other materials: Photos of projects, field trip records, etc.
Keep your portfolio for two years after you create it. If you end your homeschool program, keep records for two more years after that. This protects you if questions ever arise.
Step 4: Plan Your Annual Evaluation
Each year, you must have your child’s progress evaluated. You have several options:
- Certified teacher evaluation: A Florida-certified teacher reviews your portfolio
- Standardized test: Any nationally normed test (no minimum score required)
- State assessment: Your child can take the state tests public schoolers take
- Psychologist evaluation: A licensed psychologist evaluates progress
The evaluation is due on the anniversary of your notice of intent. If you filed on September 15, evaluations are due by September 15 each year.
Step 5: Keep the Evaluation on File
File your evaluation with the school district? Nope. Just keep it yourself. The district can request to see it, but you don’t have to send it unless asked. Most families are never asked.
What’s NOT Required in Florida
Florida gives homeschoolers significant freedom:
- No specific subjects required: Teach what you think is important
- No minimum hours: No daily or yearly hour requirements
- No minimum days: No 180-day rule for homeschoolers
- No teacher credentials: You don’t need a degree
- No curriculum approval: Nobody checks what you’re teaching
- No test score requirements: If you test, there’s no passing score needed
- No waiting period: Start whenever you’re ready
Florida Compulsory Education Ages
Florida requires education for children ages 6-16. Your child must be in school (including homeschool) if they turn 6 on or before February 1 of the school year.
After age 16, school is optional. But most families continue through high school graduation to prepare their students for college or careers.
Withdrawing from Public School
If your child is currently in a Florida public school:
- Send your notice of intent to the district (starts your homeschool)
- Notify the school your child is withdrawing
- Request records and transcripts for your files
The district should release your child once they receive your notice of intent. If you face pushback, contact FPEA or HSLDA for help. They support families dealing with district issues.
Annual Evaluation Options Explained
Certified Teacher Evaluation
Find a Florida-certified teacher to review your portfolio. They write a statement saying your child made satisfactory progress. This doesn’t have to be a formal meeting. Many evaluators work remotely and can review portfolios digitally.
Cost: Usually $25-75
Standardized Testing
Use any nationally normed test like:
- Stanford Achievement Test
- Iowa Test of Basic Skills
- CAT (California Achievement Test)
- Woodcock-Johnson
- TerraNova
You can buy tests online and administer them at home. No proctor required. No minimum score required. Just keep the results. This is the most popular evaluation option for Florida homeschoolers.
Cost: $25-50 for most tests
State Assessment
Your child can take Florida’s state tests at a public school. Contact your district to arrange this. It’s free but requires going to the school during testing windows.
Psychologist Evaluation
A licensed psychologist can evaluate your child’s academic progress. This is the most expensive option and rarely used unless there are special circumstances.
Florida Homeschool High School
High school homeschooling in Florida is straightforward. You have the same freedoms as in earlier grades.
Credits and Courses
You decide your graduation requirements. Many families follow the Florida public school requirements as a guide:
- 4 credits English
- 4 credits Math (including Algebra I and Geometry)
- 3 credits Science (2 with labs)
- 3 credits Social Studies
- 1 credit Fine/Performing Arts
- 1 credit Physical Education
- 8 credits Electives
That’s 24 credits total for a standard diploma. But you set your own standards. Some families do more, some less—it depends on your student’s goals.
Transcripts
Create your own transcripts. Include:
- Course names and descriptions
- Grades earned
- Credits (usually 0.5 per semester or 1.0 per year)
- GPA calculation
- Your signature as school administrator
Many free transcript templates are available online. Some umbrella schools offer transcript services for a fee.
Graduation and Diploma
You decide when your student graduates. Issue your own diploma. It’s legally valid. Florida colleges accept homeschool diplomas. Many families hold graduation ceremonies with other homeschool families.
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Good news: Florida homeschoolers can qualify for Bright Futures, the state’s merit scholarship. Requirements include:
- Required ACT/SAT scores (check current requirements)
- Community service hours (100 hours for Florida Academic Scholars)
- Graduation from a Florida home education program
- Florida residency requirements
Check the Bright Futures website for current score requirements. This scholarship can significantly reduce college costs for qualifying students.
Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
Florida offers free online courses through Florida Virtual School. Homeschoolers can use FLVS in two ways:
- Flex courses: Free, self-paced courses you add to your homeschool
- Full-time enrollment: Complete your education through FLVS (no longer counts as homeschool)
Many homeschoolers take a few FLVS courses, especially for high school subjects like foreign languages, advanced math, or AP classes. It’s a great free resource.
Special Situations
Special Needs
You can homeschool special needs children. Florida’s requirements apply the same way. You have freedom to customize education to your child’s needs without bureaucratic hurdles.
If your child was in public school with an IEP, you won’t have an IEP in homeschool. But you can create your own learning plan tailored specifically to your child. Many families find this flexibility is exactly what their special needs child needs to thrive.
Dual Enrollment
Florida homeschoolers can take college courses while in high school. Contact your local community college about dual enrollment. Requirements vary by college, but most welcome homeschoolers. Your student can earn college credits before graduation, saving time and money.
Moving to Florida
Moving from another state? File your notice of intent within 30 days of arriving. No transfer paperwork needed from your old state. Just start fresh under Florida law.
Moving Away from Florida
Send a termination letter to your district. Keep your records for two more years. Check your new state’s laws before moving—some have different requirements.
Florida Homeschool Sports
Florida has good news for homeschool athletes. Under the Craig Dickinson Act, homeschooled students can try out for their local public school sports teams.
Requirements:
- Live in the school’s zone
- Meet academic eligibility (show satisfactory progress)
- Try out like any other student
- Follow the same rules as enrolled students
Many Florida homeschoolers participate in public school sports, band, and other extracurriculars. This is a significant benefit that many other states don’t offer.
Florida Homeschool Resources
State Organizations
- HSLDA Florida: Legal requirements, support, and member resources
- Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA): Support, conventions, and resources
- Florida Department of Education: Official state home education info
Finding Local Groups
Florida has active homeschool communities statewide. Find:
- Facebook groups for your county
- FPEA local support groups
- Church homeschool groups
- Secular homeschool groups
- Co-ops and learning centers
Evaluation Services
Search for “Florida homeschool evaluator” to find certified teachers who evaluate portfolios. Many do remote evaluations. FPEA also maintains a list of evaluators throughout the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to file my notice of intent every year?
No. File once when you start. After that, just do your annual evaluation. The only time you file again is if you move to a new county.
What if I forget to file my notice within 30 days?
File as soon as you remember. The law says “within 30 days,” but districts don’t typically count days. Just get it done.
Can I homeschool just one child and send others to school?
Yes. Each child is separate. You can homeschool some and enroll others in public or private school.
What if my child doesn’t score well on the evaluation?
There’s no minimum score. The evaluation just shows educational progress is being made. If you use standardized testing, no specific score is required.
Can Florida homeschoolers participate in public school activities?
Yes! The Craig Dickinson Act lets homeschoolers participate in sports and extracurriculars at their local public school.
Start Your Florida Homeschool
Florida makes homeschooling straightforward. File your notice, keep a portfolio, do your yearly evaluation. That’s the legal side. The rest is up to you.
Your action plan:
- Send your notice of intent to the school district
- Choose curriculum that fits your family
- Start your portfolio (log activities, save work samples)
- Plan your first annual evaluation
- Connect with local homeschool groups
- Start teaching!
Florida’s homeschool community is large and welcoming. You’ll find support groups, co-ops, and activities throughout the state. Plus, all that sunshine makes field trips pretty great. Welcome to Florida homeschooling!
Related State Guides
Comparing homeschool requirements? Explore our other state guides:
- How to Homeschool in Texas – Even fewer requirements than Florida
- How to Homeschool in New York – Higher regulation for comparison
- How to Homeschool in Washington – Parent qualifications required
- How to Homeschool in Arizona – Low regulation with ESA funding option
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