Alabama Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Alabama, based on Ala. Code 16-28-1; Ala. Code 16-28-7. Alabama is classified as Low regulation.
This is the general checklist for Church School / Cover School / Umbrella School, the most common of Alabama's 3 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to umbrella school (which files with local superintendent). Deadline: Upon initial enrollment in the church school.
Deadline: Upon initial enrollment in the church school
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to public school.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
Ongoing
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records.
Good news
No specific subjects required
Alabama does not mandate specific subjects under this pathway.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Education savings: CHOOSE Act Education Savings Account
CHOOSE Act Education Savings Account: $7,000/student (participating school enrollment); $2,000/student (home education, capped at $4,000/family) — Alabama residents ages 5-19 (up to 21 for IDEA/504), family income at or below 300% federal poverty level (~$93,600 for family of four), lawfully present in U.S. Priority given to students with special needs, then prior-year awardees, then by income level.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- umbrella school (which files with local superintendent)
- Deadline
- Upon initial enrollment in the church school
- How often
- one time
Ala. Code 16-28-7 (church school enrollment form filed once with local superintendent)
Ongoing requirements
Recordkeeping
Varies by pathway. Church School / Cover School / Umbrella School: false; Private Tutor: true; Private School: true
- ✓Attendance records
Ala. Code 16-28-7 (church school must maintain enrollment and attendance records)
What you don't need to worry about
No specific subjects required
Alabama does not mandate specific subjects under this pathway.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Education savings: CHOOSE Act Education Savings Account
CHOOSE Act Education Savings Account: $7,000/student (participating school enrollment); $2,000/student (home education, capped at $4,000/family) — Alabama residents ages 5-19 (up to 21 for IDEA/504), family income at or below 300% federal poverty level (~$93,600 for family of four), lawfully present in U.S. Priority given to students with special needs, then prior-year awardees, then by income level.
Other ways to homeschool in Alabama
This checklist covers Church School / Cover School / Umbrella School, the most common pathway. Alabama offers 3 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Church School / Cover School / Umbrella School(this checklist) : You enroll with an umbrella school (also called a church school or cover school), which handles all state reporting on your behalf. Alabama does not mandate specific subjects, hours, or testing for families under this pathway — your umbrella school may set its own policies. This is by far the most popular homeschool pathway in Alabama.
- •Private Tutor : You hire a tutor who holds a valid Alabama teaching certificate to provide instruction at least 3 hours per day for 140 days per year. The tutor files a written statement with the local superintendent and must cover the same subjects taught in public schools. This pathway is rarely used because of the teaching certificate requirement.
- •Private School : You operate your home as a private school, filing annual enrollment reports with the Alabama State Department of Education and complying with fire, health, and safety codes. You must teach state-prescribed subjects and operate for approximately 180 days per year. This pathway involves more administrative overhead than the umbrella school option and is uncommon for individual families.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Alabama
Education savings available
Alabama offers CHOOSE Act Education Savings Account. Learn about ESA programs
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Alabama checklistRequirements sourced from Ala. Code 16-28-1; Ala. Code 16-28-7. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026