Florida Homeschool Documents & Templates

What to file

simple notice

Send to

county school district superintendent

Deadline

Within 30 days of beginning the home education program

How often

one time

Free-form letter accepted?

Yes. You can write your own letter instead of using an official form.

Notice must include student name, address, date of birth; the parent signs the notice. A new notice is NOT required annually; initial notice remains in effect unless the program is terminated. If the family moves to a different county, filing a new notice with the new county superintendent is widely recommended practice but not a statutory requirement. A written notice of termination must also be filed with the superintendent within 30 days of ending the program (Fla. Stat. 1002.41(1)(c)).

Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(a)

Status

Not required, but recommended to prevent truancy concerns

Send to

child's current school principal or registrar

File the Notice of Intent with the county superintendent first or simultaneously. Notify the school that the child is being withdrawn to participate in a home education program under Fla. Stat. 1002.41. No mandatory waiting period — once the NOI is filed, instruction may begin immediately. Some schools may resist or delay; communicate directly with the superintendent's home education office if needed.

Submit to

county school district superintendent

Frequency

annual

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, minimum scores, and remediation details.

Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(f)

• ✓Student portfolio

Portfolio must include: (1) a log of educational activities (texts, activities, and materials used), (2) samples of the student's work (writings, worksheets, creative materials). Portfolio is maintained by the parent and made available for annual evaluation. Not routinely submitted to the superintendent. Portfolio must be made available for inspection upon 15 days' written notice per 1002.41(1)(e).

Fla. Stat. §1002.41(1)(d)-(e)

This page covers Home Education Program. Florida offers 3 different ways to homeschool, and each may require different documents:

• •
  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 helps you choose the right one and generates the correct documents. Compare all pathways for Florida