Homeschooling in Florida
Learn what you need to do to successfully homeschool in Florida!
Author
Lisa Luciano
Published:
May 2025
Key takeaways
- • Discover the legal options for homeschooling in Florida.
- • Learn the steps you need to take to know how to homeschool in Florida.
- • Find out about choosing a curriculum and getting support as a homeschooling family in Florida.
If you are wondering how to homeschool in Florida, you will be glad to know that the Sunshine State is considered a “low regulation” state when it comes to homeschooling. Florida state law offers three options for getting started in homeschooling. As the state with the second-highest number of homeschooled students, Florida is accommodating and supportive of homeschoolers. If you want to know how to start homeschooling in Florida, read on for information about the steps you need to take to get started!
Homeschooling in Florida: how to get started
If you want to know how to register for homeschool in Florida, you will discover that there are three options for home-educating your children here:
- Option 1: File a notice to start an independent homeschool under the Florida homeschool statute, and comply with the guidelines of Florida homeschooling law.
- Option 2: Choose a private school as an “umbrella” for your homeschool. This private school is registered with the state of Florida and will oversee your homeschool.
- Option 3: Choose a private tutor who is licensed to teach your child’s grade level in the state of Florida. The tutor is responsible for keeping records, making reports, tracking attendance, and providing the required number of instructional hours.
Table of contents
Homeschooling in Florida: requirements and laws
If you choose option one (filing as an independent homeschool), there are some steps to take and requirements for how to register as a homeschool in Florida:
File a notice stating your intent to homeschool
The officials must receive this letter 30 days before your homeschool begins. Unlike other states, this notice does not need to be filed annually. The document must include the names, addresses, and birthdays of the student. No additional information will be required unless you want to enroll your child in any public school programs or services.
Keep a portfolio for every student
A student portfolio needs to be maintained and saved for two years after the year is completed. A school district staff member may contact you to review it. Fill the portfolio with a variety of student work:
- Samples of workbooks, writing pieces, and work completed by the student.
- Titles of textbooks and instructional materials used
Conduct an annual student evaluation
Florida homeschooling law requires yearly student testing. Although this can be a chore, it’s beneficial to see an objective record of where your students may need extra help and where they are strong. There are a few different options for this annual student evaluation:
- The student can take a standardized test.
- The student can take a district assessment test, administered by a licensed teacher, with the testing location determined by the school district.
- A certified, Florida-licensed teacher may evaluate your child.
- Submit to an evaluation conducted by a school psychologist or other Florida-licensed psychologist.
- Discuss other evaluation tools and administer them as agreed upon by the school district.
Any student who does not show sufficient progress will be placed on one year of “probation” with remedial instruction. Without sufficient progress after a year, that student can no longer be registered as a homeschooled student with the district. If this happens, a parent can continue homeschooling under the cover of a private school or tutoring program (options two and three as listed above.)
File a notice when you move or stop homeschooling
When you decide to stop homeschooling or if you move into another district or state, you need to send in a termination notice.
Homeschooling in Florida: curriculum requirements
If you are a parent wanting to know the ins and outs of how to homeschool in Florida, you will be glad to know that there are no specific state requirements for subject matter or curriculum. However, if you are new to homeschooling, choosing a curriculum is a big deal. Although some parents decide to go without a curriculum, using one can make it easier to stay on track with your child’s grade level, stay focused, and accomplish academic goals. Some curriculum options fit many subjects into one package. Others offer separate books for language arts, social studies, science, and a homeschool math program. It’s important to find materials that fit your budget, engage your child, and make lessons as easy as possible. Here are some questions to consider when searching for curriculum:
- Do you want traditional textbooks or an online curriculum?
- Does the style keep your child interested?
- Does the curriculum fit your child’s learning style?
- Does the material allow your child to practice skills until mastery?
- Does it fit your child’s ability and age level?
- Is the material taught clearly?
- Does the curriculum fit your goals and values?
Where to find a curriculum
You can find homeschooling curriculum online sellers, or from local stores that offer educational resources. If you attend a homeschool convention, you can view a wide array of options, meet publisher representatives, and check out the products firsthand.
Get connection and support
If you are just beginning to homeschool, it’s helpful to reach out for support from those who have experience. Various local homeschool groups will offer helpful hints, used curriculum sales, and opportunities to connect with other homeschooling families. Here are some statewide homeschooling groups in Florida that offer resources and help:
- Florida Homeschooling delivers support to Florida homeschooling families, and provides ideas for how to homeschool on a tight budget.
- Florida Parent Educators Association is dedicated to providing empowerment, legal information, education, and resources for homeschooling families. They host an annual ceremony for graduating seniors and an annual conference.
- Home Education Foundation is a lobbying group that advocates for homeschooling freedom.
- Sunshine State Homeschoolers is a homeschooling organization giving support and enrichment to Florida homeschooling families.
Six helpful hints from a veteran homeschool mom
Now that you know more about how to apply for homeschool in Florida, choose curriculum, and get support, here are some tips (many learned the hard way) from an experienced homeschool parent of almost three decades:
- Remember that daily life goes on. We were a busy homeschooling family with a mix of toddlers, babies, and pre-teens. Things weren’t always orderly and focused and I was easily upset by minor interruptions that were simply part of daily life. Sometimes homeschooling is messy and that’s okay. Never forget why you started and that will help get you through the crazy homeschool days.
- Combine subjects. Whenever possible, I liked to combine subjects together. It made it easier for me, and more memorable for my students. You can combine history and art by reading historical fiction and then creating a colorful advertisement for the book. Combine science and music by writing a silly song about cells.
- Keep your kids reading. We did a lot of reading – all year round. Set a timer for 15 minutes of independent reading, and make sure you crack a book, too. When you are having a bad day, read something aloud to your children.
- Weave writing into everything. Some students don’t like to write, or they feel like they aren’t “good at it.” Often, that’s because they haven’t had a lot of practice. Writing for five minutes every morning might help. When we first started doing this, my children weren’t excited about it, but they grew to enjoy it. Write lists, write about experiences, write letters to real and imaginary people, and write stories and poems. Just write.
- Have out-of-the-home experiences. Once we got into a good academic routine, I didn’t want to stop. However, I needed to make time for educational field trips and connections with other homeschoolers. My kids loved this, and I learned that it offered a healthy break from the bookwork. Bonus: after a field trip, your students will have something new and exciting to write about!
- Create lifelong learners. As homeschooling parents, one of our goals was to make school enjoyable enough that our children would turn into lifelong learners. We felt that our job was to provide the basic learning tools and information and inspire them along the way to keep learning for the rest of their lives.
Do Florida field trips
As mentioned, it can help homeschool morale to take a break from the classroom and enjoy a learning experience outside the home. Educational field trips don’t have to be elaborate, expensive, or far away. Look around your community for opportunities to teach your child something new. Some of our favorite, cheap field trips were visiting the fire department, police department, post office, bank, and water treatment plant. If you want to take a road trip, here is a sampling of the many options that Florida offers:
- Living History Farm
- Olustee Battlefield State Park
- Science and Discovery Center
- The Camp Blanding Museum and Memorial Park
- Air Force Space and Missile Museum
- Museum of Discovery and Science
- Panhandle Pioneer Settlement
- A.C. Freeman House
- Fort Cooper State Park
- Artis Naples
- Everglades Tours
- Holocaust Museum
- Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
- Immokalee Pioneer Museum
- Creation Adventures Museum
- B.E.A.K.S
- Karpeles Manuscript Museum
- Veterans Memorial Wall
- Naval Aviation Museum
- Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum
- Earth Wonders Museum
- Flagler Beach Historical Museum
- Florida Agricultural Museum
- Apalachicola Maritime Museum
- Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum
- Crooked River Lighthouse
- Gadsden Arts Center
- Geocaching
- Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
- Solomon’s Castle
- Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
- Hernando Heritage Museum
- Weeki Wachee Springs
- Children’s Museum of the Highlands
- Lake Placid Historical Society Depot Museum
- American Victory Ship
- Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center
- Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Tampa Bay History Center
- USF Botanical Gardens
- Edison and Ford Winter Estates
- Fossil Expeditions
- All About Elephants
- Ladell Brothers Outdoor Environmental Center
- Dakin Dairy Farms
- Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
- Appleton Museum of Art
- Gypsy Gold Horse Farm
Conclusion
Whether you are new at homeschooling or are simply relocating your homeschool to Florida, perhaps some of your questions have been answered. It’s nice to know that Florida is a homeschool-friendly state, with plenty of help available. If you still have questions about choosing a curriculum or how to register a homeschool in Florida, many state and local organizations offer support and ideas to homeschooling families. Once you have taken the steps necessary to establish your homeschool, be sure to reach out and connect with other homeschooling families in Florida, so you will have all the enrichment and support you need.
FAQs
Homeschooling parents can apply for scholarships from the state of Florida. However, there are restrictions on how this funding can be used.
Parents who want to homeschool in Florida have various options, and homeschooling is minimally regulated, making it easier than in other states that have stricter requirements.
Under the state’s tutor option for homeschooling, a parent may hire a tutor to teach their child.
A homeschooling parent in Florida does not need a special license or certification to teach their child, but the parent responsible for their child’s education must hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
Florida requires students to be enrolled in school from age 6-16.
If parents choose to homeschool as an independent home-based school, they must evaluate students annually.
No, there are no state-mandated subjects.
Yes. Florida homeschoolers have the opportunity to join in public school activities (subject to approval by the local district.)
No, homeschooling parents in Florida are not required to keep immunization records.
