Homeschooling in Alabama: the law and how to start

Yes. Alabama's compulsory attendance law lists four ways to meet the requirement: a public school, a private school, a church school, or a competent private tutor. There is no stand-alone 'homeschool' option in the statute, so homeschooling families use one of the other three.

• Church school (most common). A church school is a school operated as a ministry of a local church, group of churches, denomination or association of churches that receives no state or federal funding. Since a 2014 change to the definition, a church school can teach students through home programs as well as on site. Many 'cover' or 'umbrella' schools in Alabama work this way.
• Private tutor. A tutor must hold an Alabama teaching certificate and teach at least three hours a day for 140 days a year, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., in English. Because of the certificate requirement, few families use this route.
• Private school. Some private schools run home programs, but this option carries more reporting, so most families choose a church school instead.

The Alabama State Department of Education lists church school enrollment and a certified private tutor among the legal options for teaching at home.

• Choose a church school. Look for one that offers a home program. Each school sets its own fees, policies and any reporting it wants from you, so read its homeschool policy before you enroll.
• Enroll your child with the church school. The school becomes your child's school of record.
• File the church school enrollment form. Get the form from your local public school superintendent (city or county). You complete it, the church school administrator countersigns it, and you return it to the superintendent. This is a one-time filing for that church school, not an annual one.
• Give consent for withdrawal notices. When you enroll, you also direct the church school to tell the superintendent if your child later stops attending. This consent usually appears on the form itself.

If your child is currently in public school, file the church school enrollment form with the superintendent and let the school know your child is withdrawing, so they aren't marked absent. Keep copies of everything you submit.

Alabama law does not give church school students a required subject list or a minimum number of days or hours. Those decisions belong to the church school, and some schools ask families to follow a particular schedule or cover particular subjects.

The private tutor route is different: the tutor must teach at least three hours a day, 140 days a year, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and in English.

Whatever route you use, most families cover reading, writing, math, science and history every year — especially in high school, where colleges look for these on a transcript.

The state does not require church school students to take standardized tests or have a portfolio evaluated. Your church school may require testing or progress reports as part of its own policy.

The principal teacher of a church school is responsible for keeping an attendance register. In practice, many church schools ask parents to send attendance and grades so the school can keep this record and issue report cards and transcripts.

Even without a testing rule, keep your own records — a list of materials used, samples of work, grades and attendance. They make it much easier to move to another school or apply to college.

Your church school is your child's school of record, so transcripts and diplomas usually come from the church school, based on the grades and courses you report. Ask about graduation requirements when you choose a school.

Alabama's dual enrollment guidelines cover students in church schools and students taught by a private tutor, not only public school students. For example, Central Alabama Community College lists church and home school students as eligible for dual enrollment in grades 10–12 with written approval from the appropriate school official and a minimum GPA. Check the requirements of the college you're interested in.

Alabama has no law giving homeschoolers a right to take public school classes or join activities. Bills (often called 'Tim Tebow' bills) have been introduced but have not passed, so local districts and schools decide.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association changed its bylaws in 2016 to allow homeschool and other non-traditional students to play interscholastic sports with public schools under its eligibility rules. Contact your zoned school and check the current AHSAA rules before the season.

If your child has a disability, contact your local school district's special education office about evaluations and any services available to students who are not enrolled in public school.

Alabama's CHOOSE Act (passed in 2024) created education savings accounts. For the 2026–27 school year, students in a home education program can receive $2,000 per student, up to $4,000 per family; students attending a participating private school receive more. The money is for approved education expenses and providers, not cash.

For 2026–27, new applicants had to meet an income limit (household income up to 300% of the federal poverty level), and the application window closed on March 31, 2026. The Governor's office has said applications for 2027–28 will open in January 2027 and be available to all Alabama families regardless of income. Check chooseact.alabama.gov for the current rules, approved providers and dates before you apply.