Homeschooling in Iowa

Your options

(1) CPI Option 1: taught or supervised by an Iowa-licensed practitioner, including a district Home School Assistance Program (299A.2). (2) CPI Option 2: parent without a license (299A.3). (3) IPI, Independent Private Instruction: unaccredited private or religious instruction (299A.1).

Notice or letter of intent

CPI Option 2: Form A is optional (299A.3 'may'), but required if dual enrolling or opting into reporting; due Sept 1 to the district. Option 1 outside a HSAP files Form A. IPI: no notice; report instructor, location, authority and students only on written request of the superintendent or Department.

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

IPI: mathematics, reading and language arts, science, social studies at all grades. CPI: no subject list in 299A; adequate-progress areas are reading, math and language arts, plus science and social studies from grade 6.

Days or hours

CPI: at least 148 days per year, at least 37 days per quarter (299A.1). IPI: none stated.

Testing or assessment

Only if CPI reporting is chosen or required: annual evaluation by May 31 (approved standardised test, or portfolio reviewed by an Iowa-licensed practitioner), with results to the district and Department by Aug 1. Failing adequate progress can mean accredited school attendance or a remediation plan (299A.6, 299A.7).

Records

No general requirement stated; the portfolio option uses a lesson-plan book or diary, a work portfolio and other assessments.

Parent qualifications

None for CPI Option 2 or IPI; Option 1 needs a licensed practitioner.

Other rules

Noncompliance can lead to truancy action (Iowa Code 299). 2026 HF2754: per Department guidance, it removes the IPI limits on student numbers and tuition and requires CPI/IPI diplomas and transcripts to be accepted (299A.13) and parent verification of enrollment (299A.14).

Official forms

Form A (CPI Report): educate.iowa.gov/… ; Private Instruction Handbook: educate.iowa.gov/… ; 2026 legislation guidance: educate.iowa.gov/…

The law

Iowa Code ch. 299A (299A.1–299A.14); Iowa Code ch. 299; 281 IAC 31 – read the law

Who to contact

• Iowa Department of Education – School Improvement (private instruction consultants)Contact form · 515-669-8157 (consultant) / 515-281-5294 Dept · Official pageWho handles notices: Depends on option: nobody (CPI Option 2 without dual enrollment, or IPI unless asked); local district and Department (Form A, dual enrollment)

Special education and public school classes and sports

A CPI child who may need special education must be referred for evaluation (299A.9); services come via dual enrollment under ch. 256B. Dual enrollment (299A.8) gives academic and extracurricular access on the same basis as enrolled pupils.

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

Going back to public school in Iowa

To enroll your child in a public school in Iowa, 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 Iowa in the official sources we checked – see the Iowa official page and ask the district.

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