Low regulation

Homeschool laws in Florida

Florida is generally homeschool-friendly, but parents still need to file a notice of intent, keep a portfolio, and complete an annual evaluation.

Last verified

2026-04-20

Compulsory age range

6-16

Quick-start checklist

What parents need to do first

This is the plain-English checklist a parent can follow to get started without reading a mountain of legal text.

1Start your home education program and write down the date you began.
2Send a notice of intent to your county school superintendent within 30 days.
3Choose a curriculum and begin teaching in a sequential, age-appropriate way.
4Keep a portfolio with an activity log and work samples.
5Complete one approved annual evaluation each year and keep the result in your records.

Full breakdown

Every field is designed to answer the real-world compliance questions parents ask first.

Legal status

Homeschooling is legal with annual documentation requirements.

Compulsory age range

6-16

Notification required

Yes. Parents file a written notice of intent to establish and maintain a home education program.

Who you notify

The county school superintendent.

Notification deadline

Within 30 days of starting a home education program.

Required subjects

Sequentially progressive instruction, Language arts, Mathematics, Science, Social studies

Hours or days required

No specific hourly minimum is listed, but instruction must be sequentially progressive and appropriate for the student.

Record keeping

Keep a portfolio with a log of educational activities and samples of the student’s work for two years.

Testing and evaluation

Yes. Parents must complete one of the annual evaluation options allowed by the state.

Testing frequency

Annually.

Teacher qualifications

No formal teaching credential is required for a parent running a home education program.

Curriculum freedom

Broad freedom, as long as the instruction is real and documented in the annual portfolio.

Umbrella school option

Florida families can also use a private school umbrella option instead of the standard home education statute.

Virtual school option

Florida Virtual School is available and often used by homeschool families in combination with home education.

Special education

Families may still access some exceptional student education services, but availability varies by district.

High school diploma

Parents can issue homeschool diplomas for students in a home education program.

College admission

Florida colleges commonly accept homeschool transcripts, portfolios, and standardized test scores.

Sports access

Access depends on district and extracurricular participation rules, including the Craig Dickinson Act.

Dual enrollment

Yes. Florida is generally friendly to dual enrollment for homeschool students.

Notes

Starter dataset entry for MVP. Re-verify before public launch and expand district-level extracurricular details.

Official sources

Parent-friendly reminder

This page is designed to reduce confusion, not replace legal advice. If something changes or feels unclear, verify with your state Department of Education before making compliance decisions.

Want more homeschool guidance and encouragement? Follow Dani at @thedanicerrato.