Florida Homeschool Deadlines & Calendar

Initial filing deadline

Within 30 days of beginning the home education program

Send to

county school district superintendent

Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(a)

Frequency

annual

Submit to

county school district superintendent

Parent chooses ONE evaluation method annually: (1) certified teacher evaluation of portfolio, (2) nationally normed standardized test administered by a certified teacher, (3) state assessment (e.g., FAST), (4) evaluation by a licensed psychologist or school psychologist (per s. 490.003(7)-(8)), or (5) other method mutually agreed upon with superintendent. Results must be submitted to the superintendent. If the student does not demonstrate adequate progress, the parent must provide remedial instruction during a one-year probationary period. If still deficient after probation, continuation in a home education program is contingent upon demonstrating educational progress (Fla. Stat. 1002.41(2)).

See our full assessment guide for Florida for accepted test types and scoring details.

Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(f)

These deadlines are for Home Education Program. Florida offers 3 pathways, and each may have different deadlines:

• •
  Home Education Program(this page): You file a one-time Notice of Intent with the county superintendent, maintain a portfolio of your child's work, and submit one annual evaluation (your choice of method, including a teacher review of your portfolio or a standardized test). Florida does not mandate specific subjects, hours, or curriculum — just that instruction is 'sequentially progressive.' This is the most popular pathway and gives families broad flexibility.
• •
  Private Tutoring: You hire a tutor who holds a valid Florida teaching certificate to provide instruction covering the same subjects required in public schools. There is no annual evaluation or portfolio requirement — the tutor's certification serves as the accountability mechanism. This pathway is uncommon because it requires a certified teacher.
• •
  Private School (Including Umbrella/Cover Schools): You enroll your child in a private school or umbrella (cover) school that registers with the Florida Department of Education on your behalf. You do not file a Notice of Intent with the county, and there is no annual evaluation or portfolio requirement. Your child is legally a private school student, not a home education student, which may affect eligibility for some homeschool-specific benefits like public school dual enrollment.

Our wizard calculates the right deadlines for your pathway. Compare all pathways for Florida