Under Alabama homeschool laws, there are three legal avenues for homeschooling.
Option 1: Homeschooling with a church school
If you choose this route, you’ll enroll your child in a church school, which provides education from kindergarten through high school. The schooling is typically led by a local church or group of churches and doesn’t rely on government funding. Your child can receive instruction either onsite or at home. To get started, find a church school that aligns with your beliefs and review their homeschool policy. Once enrolled, you’ll need to file a church school enrollment certificate and keep track of attendance according to the school’s policies.
Option 2: Homeschooling With a Private School
With this option, your child will be enrolled in a private school, which is supported by a non-governmental entity. Similar to homeschooling with a church school, you’ll need to report your child’s enrollment to the local superintendent and maintain attendance records. Private schools often have their own requirements for immunization and physical education, so be sure to familiarize yourself with those.
Option 3: Homeschooling Using a Private Tutor
If you prefer one-on-one instruction for your child, you can hire a private tutor. They must be a certified teacher in Alabama. The tutor will teach the required subjects for a minimum of three hours a day, 140 days per year. They’ll also handle reporting and recordkeeping duties. This includes submitting a statement to the superintendent and keeping track of attendance and instruction hours.
Each option has its own set of requirements. Take the time to explore which one aligns best with your goals and preferences for your child’s education under Alabama homeschool laws.
It’s important to note that church schools and private schools have the freedom to set their own guidelines for teacher qualifications, instructional days, and mandatory subjects.