Overview
Florida allows parents and guardians to educate their children at home through a legally recognized home education program. Florida defines a home education program as sequentially progressive instruction directed by the parent to satisfy compulsory attendance requirements.
Compulsory School Attendance Age
Florida compulsory attendance generally applies beginning at age 6 and continues until the student reaches the age at which compulsory attendance ends under Florida law.
Homeschool Notification and Enrollment
A parent establishing a Florida home education program must notify the district school superintendent in writing within 30 days. The notice includes each child's full legal name, address, and date of birth.
Terminating a Home Education Program
When a Florida home education program ends, the parent must file a written Notice of Termination with the district superintendent, generally within 30 days.
Instructional Days and Hours
Florida home education programs are exempt from statutory school-day requirements. Florida does not require independent home education families to complete a specific number of daily instructional hours or follow the public school calendar.
Required Subjects
Florida's home education statute does not impose a detailed statewide list of required homeschool subjects. The educational program must provide sequentially progressive instruction directed by the parent.
Portfolio and Recordkeeping
Florida requires a portfolio containing a contemporaneous log of educational activities, titles of reading materials, and samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, and creative materials. The portfolio must be preserved for at least 2 years and may be inspected only after at least 15 days' written notice.
Annual Educational Evaluation
Florida requires an annual educational evaluation. Parents may use portfolio review by a Florida-certified teacher, a nationally normed achievement test administered by a certified teacher, a statewide assessment, evaluation by an appropriately licensed psychologist, or another valid measurement tool agreed upon by the parent and district superintendent.
Standardized Testing
Florida does not require every independently homeschooled student to take the regular statewide public school assessment. Standardized testing is one of several evaluation options.
Parent Teacher Qualifications
Florida does not require the parent directing a home education program to hold a Florida teaching certificate, college degree, complete teacher training, or obtain approval from the Florida Department of Education.
Curriculum Freedom
Florida gives parents broad authority over curriculum and teaching methods.
Graduation
Florida does not issue a public-school diploma to an independently homeschooled student simply because the student completes a home education program. Parents may establish homeschool graduation requirements.
Florida Scholarship Programs
Florida operates school-choice and scholarship programs that may create additional requirements beyond ordinary home education rules.
Alabama Church School Services for Florida Families
Florida families may choose Alabama Church School for curriculum, records, report cards, transcripts, diplomas, attendance resources, graduation documentation, and educational support. Enrollment does not replace Florida's Notice of Intent, portfolio, annual evaluation, or other legal requirements.
Florida Homeschool Law References
- Florida Statutes § 1002.01
- Florida Statutes § 1002.41
- Florida Statutes § 1003.21
- Florida Department of Education — Home Education
This summary is informational and families should review current state law and official state guidance because requirements and procedures may change.
How Alabama Church School supports Florida families
ACS does not replace your state's homeschool requirements — it gives families complete curriculum, academic records, transcripts, diplomas, and documentation while you continue satisfying Florida law.
Nearby state homeschool guides
Families moving to or from Florida often review these states next.