Homeschooling in Iowa? Here’s your plan.

CPI Option 1 (licensed practitioner). Instruction is provided or supervised by a teacher holding a valid Iowa license appropriate to your child's age and grade, which can include a district or accredited nonpublic school home school assistance program. Under Iowa Code 299A.1(2)(a)(1), it runs at least 148 days a year, with at least 37 days each school quarter. Unless you are in a home school assistance program (which files its own report), you file the CPI report, Form A, with your school district by September 1 (Iowa Code 299.4). The supervising teacher provides assessments of progress to you and your child; no annual standardized test applies.

CPI Option 2 (parent-provided). Iowa Code 299A.3 says a parent "may" file Form A, have the child evaluated annually, and report the results. Those steps become required only if you request services from your school district or area education agency, such as dual enrollment, a home school assistance program, open enrollment, special education, or instructional materials (Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.7(5)). Iowa law sets no subject list for CPI. The Iowa Department of Education lists 148 days as part of CPI generally, so following it is the cautious choice.

Independent Private Instruction (IPI). IPI provides instruction in mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies. You file nothing unless the district superintendent or the director of the Department of Education asks in writing for a report naming the primary instructor, location, responsible authority, and students. There is no testing and no minimum number of days.

If your 5-year-old is enrolled in a public school district, the child counts as compulsory attendance age until you notify the district in writing that you are removing the child from enrollment (Iowa Code 299.1A(2)).

Choose CPI Option 1 if you want a licensed teacher's supervision. Choose CPI Option 2 if you want to teach yourself and may want district services such as dual enrollment, which bring Form A and an annual evaluation with them. Choose IPI for the fewest requirements; IPI students can still use an approved driver education course, annual achievement testing, and district-to-community college concurrent enrollment (Iowa Admin. Code 281-31.7(6)). Families can also enroll in an accredited nonpublic school, which follows that school's rules rather than the homeschool options.

If you file Form A. Form A goes to your school district by September 1. It lists your child's name and age, the period of instruction, an outline of the course of study (subjects covered, lesson plans, and time spent), texts used, and the instructor's name and address. If you are filing for the first time, include evidence of required immunizations and, for an elementary-age child, a blood lead test (Iowa Code 299.4). Fill it in completely and accurately.

If you evaluate under Option 2. Your child is evaluated by May 31 using a test from the Department of Education's approved list, or you submit a portfolio reviewed by a licensed Iowa teacher approved by the superintendent. Results go to your school district of residence and the Department of Education by August 1. Adequate progress on a test means scoring above the 30th percentile in reading, mathematics, and language arts (plus science and social studies in grade 6 and above), and either six months' progress or performance at or above grade level.

If progress is not adequate. Under Iowa Code 299A.6 and 299A.7, your child must attend an accredited school at the start of the next school year unless, before then, a retest or portfolio report shows adequate progress or a remediation plan is approved. An approved plan can let home instruction continue for up to one year.

Diplomas. The Department of Education says a resident district decides whether to issue a diploma to a student in private instruction, and suggests contacting your resident high school during eighth grade. 2026 legislation (House File 2754) added new provisions on diplomas and transcripts, so check the Department's 2026 technical assistance for current details.

ESA. Iowa's Students First Education Savings Account program (Iowa Code 257.11B) is tied to enrollment in an accredited nonpublic school. Confirm current eligibility with the Iowa Department of Education.