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Alabama Homeschool Documents & Templates

Every document you need to homeschool legally in Alabama, based on Ala. Code 16-28-1; Ala. Code 16-28-7.

These are general templates for Church School / Cover School / Umbrella School, the most common of Alabama's 3 pathways. Our free wizard generates personalized documents with your name, address, and district filled in.

What documents do you need?

Notice of Intent

Required. Send to umbrella school (which files with local superintendent) by Upon initial enrollment in the church school

Notice of Intent

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
Practical tip: File the enrollment form (provided by the superintendent) signed by both you and the church school administrator. This is a one-time filing per child. If your child later leaves the church school, the school will notify the superintendent on your behalf.

Ala. Code 16-28-7 (church school enrollment form filed once with local superintendent)

If withdrawing from school

Status
Not required, but recommended to prevent truancy concerns
Send to
public school
Practical tip: Enroll with an umbrella school FIRST, then notify the public school in writing of withdrawal and request records. Provide documentation (such as a letter from umbrella school) confirming enrollment.

Ala. Code 16-28-12 (reporting requirements; enrollment and attendance)

Recordkeeping requirements

Varies by pathway. Church School / Cover School / Umbrella School: false; Private Tutor: true; Private School: true

  • ✓Attendance records
Practical tip: The umbrella school maintains records on your behalf. You should independently keep attendance logs, curriculum records, work samples, and high school transcripts (grades 9-12) for college admissions.

Ala. Code 16-28-7 (church school must maintain enrollment and attendance records)

Other ways to homeschool in Alabama

This page covers Church School / Cover School / Umbrella School. Alabama offers 3 different ways to homeschool, and each may require different documents:

  • •
    Church School / Cover School / Umbrella School(this page): 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 and generates the correct documents. Compare all pathways for Alabama

Education savings available

Alabama offers CHOOSE Act Education Savings Account. ESA programs may have additional documentation requirements. Learn about ESA programs

Get your personalized documents

These are general templates. The wizard generates documents with your name, address, and district already filled in, ready to download and send.

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Requirements sourced from Ala. Code 16-28-1; Ala. Code 16-28-7. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026