A homeschool letter of intent is a form used to notify the department of education that a child will be homeschooled instead of attending a public or private educational institution. Generally, this letter, or notice, of intent is straightforward in regard to formatting and content. The parent or guardian of the child usually writes this letter (and quite often teaches the child as well) and must provide the child’s name, address, date of birth, and grade in which they would be entering if they enrolled in school. In addition to this information, the letter must state who will be homeschooling the child for the following school year. However, each state has different guidelines and, in some cases, that state’s department of education may provide a specific letter of intent form for parents to complete. While a letter of intent isn’t always required, it is often the first step that a parent must take to homeschool their child.

Table of Contents

• What is Homeschooling?
• State Requirements
• Sample – Homeschool Letter of Intent

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling is the practice of providing education to children at home instead of in a public, private, or boarding school. Home education can be provided by a parent/guardian or an authorized teacher, depending on State requirements. There are a number of reasons why parents may wish to homeschool their children, including dissatisfaction with the options in their school district, religious beliefs or other philosophical views, or general displeasure with the traditional schooling methods. It is possible to obtain an excellent and thorough education through homeschooling methods. However, it is almost always necessary for the parent/guardian to have an educational degree of sorts to qualify as a reliable and qualified teacher. Other requirements for homeschooling vary quite a bit from state to state. The list below can be consulted to see if a letter of intent is required in a particular state. It’s important to check with the state department of education before commencing a homeschool curriculum.

State Requirements

Each state creates its own homeschooling laws and it’s important for parents to know what they need to do to provide their children with a proper, legal education. Below is a list that identifies which states require a letter of intent form and, if they do, if there is a specific form one must use. Even if a state does not require a letter of intent, they may have other requirements that parents must execute in order for their child to receive an education outside of a regular institution.

Homeschool Letter of Intent form if there is no state-implemented form: Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, or Open Document Text.

Sample – Homeschool Letter of Intent – Sample

HOMESCHOOL LETTER OF INTENT

 

Date: August 10, 2018

Superintendent (or Principal): Mr. Julian Reynolds

School District: No. 82

 

This letter of intent is to inform the school board that the following child(ren) will be provided with a homeschool education in lieu of attending public/private school:

 

Name: Charles Boyd Gender: M    D.O.B.: April 6th, 2012

Name: Emily Boyd    Gender: F    D.O.B.: January 7th, 2010

 

Address of Child(ren): 825 Walgrove Crescent, Scottsdale, AZ, 80234

 

The child(ren) will be taught by Mrs. Abigail Richmond at 825 Walgrove Crescent, Scottsdale, AZ, 80234. The following subjects will be covered during the 180 days of instruction:

Reading, writing, spelling, grammar, geography, arithmetic, science, history, and music.

I agree to maintain a portfolio of materials that demonstrate proper educational instruction provided to the child(ren) in the event that the Arizona Department of Education request such information.

Teacher Signature ______________________

Print Name ______________________

Email ______________________ Telephone ______________________

 

I agree that I am the legal parent/guardian of the child(ren) and hereby declare my intent to homeschool said child(ren).

Parent/Guardian Signature ______________________

Print Name ______________________

Email ______________________ Telephone ______________________

 

Parent/Guardian Signature ______________________

Print Name ______________________

Email ______________________ Telephone ______________________

 

NOTARY CERTIFICATE (IF REQUIRED)

 

STATE OF ______________________

COUNTY OF ______________________

On this ____ day of ______________________, 20____, before me appeared ______________________, known to me or satisfactorily proven to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument, in my presence executed the foregoing letter of intent and acknowledged that they executed the same as their free act and deed.

Notary Public Signature ______________________ Print Name ______________________

My commission expires ______________________