Homeschooling in Connecticut

Your options

(1) Home instruction, renamed 'parent-managed learning' by Public Act 26-37 (CGS 10-184). (2) Nonpublic school: from July 1, 2026 it must be accredited/approved or file attendance reports with the Commissioner (CGS 10-188). (3) Public school. Parents of 5- and 6-year-olds may opt out for a year by signing an option form in person.

Notice or letter of intent

Current: CSDE asks parents to contact the district central office and give notice of intent. The suggested (non-statutory) procedure is to file within 10 days of starting, effective for one school year. From 2027-28 (PA 26-37): to withdraw a child from public school, the parent signs a form in person, and the superintendent runs a DCF registry check of household members aged 18+ before the withdrawal takes effect. From 2028-29: an annual 'intent to educate' form to the district by October 1.

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

Reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, US history and citizenship, including town, state and federal government (CGS 10-184).

Days or hours

None set in statute.

Testing or assessment

None in statute. The suggested procedures include an annual portfolio review with district officials. PA 26-37 adds no assessment.

Records

CSDE best practice (not law): an attendance log of days/hours, a portfolio per child, a book/materials log and any test results.

Parent qualifications

None.

Other rules

If no intent form arrives by 1 Nov (from 2028-29), the district must make at least 3 contact attempts and then notify CSDE. A withdrawal is blocked if an adult household member is on the child abuse registry or under active DCF investigation.

Official forms

No state form yet. CSDE must publish intent-to-educate and withdrawal forms by July 1, 2027 (PA 26-37 s.2). Until then, use the district's form. Old sample notice is in the 2013-14 packet: portal.ct.gov/…

The law

CGS 10-184 as amended by Public Act 26-37 (HB 5468, approved May 26, 2026); CGS 10-188; CGS 10-184a – read the law

Who to contact

• Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE); local board of education – Local school district central office (superintendent)No email published · Official pageWho handles notices: Local district

Special education and public school classes and sports

CGS 10-184a: a district need not provide special education to a child whose parent chose home/private schooling and refuses consent to services (2013-14 CSDE packet). Districts need not award graduation credit for homeschool work (CGS 10-221a). Sports/class access not stated.

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

Going back to public school in Connecticut

The Connecticut State Department of Education says there is no barrier to returning a child to public school at any time. It also says a district is not required to award graduation credit for work completed during homeschooling in grades 9–12, so students who re-enroll are not guaranteed graduation credit for it (C.G.S. 10-221a).

Source: Connecticut State Department of Education: Homeschooling in Connecticut

To enroll, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school, and ask how it decides grade placement and credits before your child starts. See the Connecticut official page, and going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.