Homeschooling in Alabama

Your options

No homeschool statute ('Alabama does not have a specific law dedicated to homeschooling'). Three legal options: (1) church school – home-based or on-site K-12 ministry of a church/denomination with no state or federal funding; (2) private school; (3) private tutor who holds a state teaching certificate.

Notice or letter of intent

Church school: parent files the child's enrollment and attendance with the local public school superintendent on the superintendent's form (Code 16-28-7). Private tutor: before instruction starts, file a statement with the county/city superintendent listing the children, subjects and period. No state registration for homeschoolers.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects

Private tutor: the branches taught in public schools, in English. Church school: none set by statute.

Days or hours

Private tutor: at least 3 hours a day, 140 days a calendar year, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Church school: none set.

Testing or assessment

None required. High school graduation exams are available to nonpublic students but not required.

Records

Church school: an attendance register recording each absence of a half day or more (Code 16-28-8). Private tutor: a daily register of hours and attendance, plus any reports the State Board requires.

Parent qualifications

Church school: none. Private tutor: must hold a certificate issued by the State Superintendent of Education.

Other rules

An immunization certificate is required before admission to a private school unless exempt (Codes 16-30-3, 16-30-4). Child Protection Act background checks apply to nonpublic schools.

Official forms

ALSDE 'Non-Public Schooling in Alabama' sample PDF on instructional-services.alsde.edu/…. The church school enrollment form comes from the local superintendent.

The law

Ala. Code 16-28-1, 16-28-3, 16-28-5 (private tutor), 16-28-7, 16-28-8 (church/private school reporting) – read the law

Not yet confirmed: the links to individual sections of the Code of Alabama were not verified. Check your state’s official page: Alabama official page.

Who to contact

• Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) – General enquiries (no homeschool office)General enquiries: [email protected] · 334-694-4900 · Official pageThis office doesn’t publish a homeschool email, so this is its general address. Ask for your message to be passed to whoever handles homeschooling.Who handles notices: Local district

Special education and public school classes and sports

No Alabama statute giving homeschoolers access to public school classes or sports was found on an official state page. Access to interscholastic athletics is governed by AHSAA bylaws (amended 2016 for 'non-traditional' students). AHSAA is a private association, not a state agency, and this is a lead only, unconfirmed. (Not confirmed – check the official page) Ask the local school or district.

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in Alabama

To enroll your child in a public school in Alabama, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for Alabama in the official sources we checked – see the Alabama official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.