HOW TO START HOMESCHOOL

Quick Start For New Homeschoolers

Florida Homeschooling:

Step-by-Step
Guide for Families

Homeschooling in Florida is a legal and flexible option for families who want to personalize learning. Below is a simple, parent-friendly guide to help you start with confidence—plus trusted resources to support you along the way.

Step 1:
Submit Your Notice of Intent

Parents must submit a written Notice of Intent to
Establish a Home Education Program to their county
school superintendent within 30 days of beginning homeschooling.

Child’s full name (ages 6–16)
Birthdate
Home address
Parent or guardian signature

📌 Find your county office here:
Florida DOE – Home Education

Step 2:
Choose Your Educational Approach

Florida law allows parents to choose their own curriculum and teaching style. You are not required to follow public school schedules or pacing.

Many families use:

Literature-based learning
Hands-on and sensory tools
Project-based learning
Social-emotional learning (SEL)
Language-rich and multicultural materials

Step 3:
Maintain a Homeschool Portfolio

Florida requires parents to keep a portfolio of learning records. This is not a daily attendance log.

A log of educational activities (kept as learning happens)
Samples of student work: drawings, worksheets, writing, creative projects

Portfolios must be kept for two years and only shared if requested with 15 days written notice.

Step 4:
Make the Portfolio Available (If Requested)

School districts are not required to inspect portfolios routinely. If requested, inspections are only to verify legal compliance—not to evaluate teaching quality.

Step 5:
Submit an Annual Evaluation

Each year, parents must submit an evaluation by the anniversary date of their Notice of Intent.

Accepted evaluation options include:

Evaluation by a Florida-certified teacher
Nationally normed achievement test
State student assessment
Psychological evaluation
Another mutually agreed-upon method

🔗 Find evaluators and guidance:
Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA)

Step 6:
Preserve Records

Portfolios must be preserved for at least two years.
Many families keep high-school records longer for transcripts and scholarships.

Step 7:
Submit a Notice of Termination (If Needed)

If you stop homeschooling, move counties, enroll in a school,
or complete your program, you must submit a Notice of Termination within 30 days.

Trusted Florida Homeschool Resources

Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA)
– Legal guidance, evaluations, events, and statewide support
Florida Department of Education
– Official state information
Local county homeschool offices (search by county name)
Florida homeschool Facebook groups and co-ops
Special needs and inclusive homeschool support communities

Homeschooling is not about doing more — it’s about doing what fits. With the right tools, support, and guidance, learning at home can be calm, joyful, and deeply meaningful.

Florida Homeschooling Pathways

Florida offers families flexible and supportive options for home education. Choose the pathway that best fits your child, your family, and your learning goals.

Florida Homeschooling Pathways

🏡 Home Education Program

Families submit a Notice of Intent and provide a
yearly evaluation showing educational progress.

Choose your own curriculum and learning style
No required grading or daily attendance tracking
Maintain a portfolio with samples of work

🎓 Personalized Education Program (PEP)

When available for enrollment, the PEP Scholarship provides additional
support and requires a year-end assessment.

Approved educational expenses
Assessment required at the end of the year
Great option for families seeking extra structure

🤝 Community & Support Matter

Homeschooling doesn’t mean learning alone. Florida has a strong network of
co-ops, learning groups, and online communities that support families at every stage.

🌱 Florida Is Flexible & Family-Centered

Florida homeschool law gives parents the freedom to choose how learning looks at home.
You decide the pace, tools, and teaching style. While grades are not required,
families do keep a portfolio with samples of learning completed throughout the year.

📍 Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA)

FPEA hosts a large homeschool conference in Orlando every May, offering
workshops, curriculum resources, and guidance for both new and experienced homeschool families.

📥 Homeschooling Forms & Templates

To help families get started, we’ve gathered commonly used Florida homeschool
sample documents. These templates are for reference and guidance.

📄

Letter of Intent

Sample letter submitted to the county school board stating your intent
to establish a home education program.

Download PDF

📄

Termination Letter

Sample letter used to notify the county school board that a
home education program has ended.

Download PDF

📄

Evaluation Letter

Sample evaluation letter completed by a Florida-certified teacher
after the annual homeschool evaluation.

Download PDF

These documents are provided as samples for educational purposes.
Always confirm current requirements with your county and official Florida resources.