Is homeschooling legal in Alabama?
Yes, homeschooling is fully legal in Alabama. Alabama is one of the easier states to homeschool in, and most families do it by enrolling in a church school's home program or a private school's home-based program. There is no state curriculum approval, no required testing, and no parent qualification for those two paths. One enrollment form and a simple attendance record cover the legal side.
Alabama homeschool requirements at a glance
| Notice required | Yes. A one-time church school enrollment form filed with the local superintendent (most common path). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | No. Not for church or private school options; the private tutor option mirrors public school subjects. |
| Testing / assessment | No. Alabama requires no standardized testing of homeschoolers. |
| Recordkeeping | Yes. A daily attendance register kept by the principal teacher. |
| Parent qualifications | None for church or private school options; the tutor option requires an Alabama-certified teacher. |
Alabama homeschool law in detail
We link the governing law so you can read it yourself instead of taking our word for it. The governing law is Ala. Code 16-28-1 (Definitions; church school).
Notice / letter of intent
Alabama has three legal paths. Most homeschoolers use Option 1, enrolling in a church school (Ala. Code 16-28-1): you enroll your child in the church school's home program, then file the church school enrollment form, signed by both parent and school administrator, with your local superintendent; this filing is one-time per enrollment rather than annual. Option 2 is a private school (including home-based private school programs), where the school reports enrolled students' names and addresses to the superintendent within five days of the public school year's start. Option 3 is instruction by a private tutor who holds Alabama teacher certification and files a statement with the superintendent listing students, subjects, and schedule.
Required subjects
Alabama sets no required subjects for the church school and private school options; your church school or private school may have its own expectations, so ask when you enroll. Private schools must include a good-faith physical education program. Only the private tutor option requires instruction in English covering the same branches of study taught in public schools.
Required days or hours
There is no state-mandated number of days or hours for the church school and private school options; follow the calendar your school sets. The private tutor option requires at least three hours a day for 140 days each calendar year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Recordkeeping
For every option, a daily attendance register must be kept by the principal teacher (that is usually you in a home program). Church and private schools may ask you to report attendance to them on their own schedule. Private tutors keep a register of work showing daily hours and attendance. Keeping report cards and work samples is wise but not legally required.
Testing and assessment
Alabama requires no standardized testing, evaluations, or portfolio reviews for homeschooled students in any option. Your church school or private school umbrella may offer optional testing if you want a benchmark. The state never collects scores.
Withdrawing from public school
Enroll in your church school or private school first, then send a short written withdrawal letter to your child's current public school stating the date of withdrawal and the school your child now attends. Filing the church school enrollment form with the superintendent is what formally satisfies the attendance law, so do not skip it. Keep copies of the form and the letter. Districts may not lawfully add their own extra requirements beyond the statute.
Good to know
Cover schools (church school home programs) range from paperwork-only operations charging small annual fees to full-service programs with co-ops, record-keeping, and graduation ceremonies. HSLDA has reported districts occasionally inventing extra requirements for withdrawing families; the statute, not district policy, controls. Alabama's CHOOSE Act (2024) created education savings accounts that may benefit some nonpublic students; eligibility rules for homeschoolers are worth checking each year
How to start homeschooling in Alabama
- Step 1: Choose your path: a church school home program (most common), a private school home-based program, or an Alabama-certified private tutor.
- Step 2: Enroll your child with the church school or private school you chose; compare a few, since fees and support services vary.
- Step 3: File the church school enrollment form (signed by you and the school administrator) with your local superintendent, or confirm your private school handles its enrollment reporting.
- Step 4: If your child is in public school, deliver a written withdrawal letter to the school the same week.
- Step 5: Start teaching on your school's calendar and keep a daily attendance register, plus any records your umbrella school requires.
File your notice
Good news: Alabama requires no notice or form to homeschool. Alabama requires no notice filed by the parent with the state. Most families enroll under a church school or hire a state-approved private tutor. If you use a church school, it files an enrollment notice with the local superintendent on its own form.
Form links checked when we built this page.
Homeschool funding in Alabama
We're verifying Alabama's funding programs against official sources right now, dollar amounts and rules change yearly, and we'd rather be right than first. Check back soon.
Free Alabama withdrawal and enrollment notice template
Fill-in-the-blank and ready to send. Free, no email required.
Download the free templateFind homeschool families near you in Alabama
Co-Op
- Academy Days Co-op · Montgomery
A welcoming parent-led co-op where homeschool families from Montgomery, Autauga, and Elmore counties gather on Thursdays at Dalraida Baptist Church. Dozens of parent-taught classes run from preschool through high school, covering drama, science labs, STEM, foreign languages, creative writing, and PE.
Visit website - Alabama STEAM Academy (Cullman Homeschool Co-op) · Cullman
Cullman's weekly homeschool co-op brings families together for hands-on, project-based classes for ages 7 to 18, from science labs and engineering challenges to art, dance, and creative writing. It's a parent-led community with field trips and social events for new and seasoned homeschoolers alike.
Visit website - Cornerstone Cooperative · Helena (Birmingham metro)
A Helena-based homeschool cooperative offering excellent courses for homeschooled students from kindergarten through high school, with a mission to equip children to impact the world for Christ. Registration and class schedules for the 2026-27 year are posted on their site.
Visit website - Creekside Academy Learning Cooperative · Sheffield (the Shoals)
An interdenominational cooperative of Christian homeschooling families in the Shoals who meet on Tuesdays at Sheffield Methodist Church for volunteer-led classes, field trips, and fellowship. It's open to families with at least one child in kindergarten or above, and every parent pitches in.
Visit website - Discovery Christian School · Auburn
A cover school and homeschool network for East Alabama families, run as a ministry of The Oaks Church in Auburn. Families connect through field trips, play dates, and informational meetings with experienced homeschool moms, while the school handles attendance records and high school transcripts.
Visit website - Harvest Christian School · Dothan (Wiregrass)
A church school sponsored by Harvest Church in Dothan that gives Wiregrass families the independence of homeschooling with the security of community. Offerings include co-op classes, a parent forum, records support, and a graduation pathway for high schoolers.
Visit website - Heartwood Christian Academy · Mobile
A Christ-centered cover school and co-op, a ministry of Oak Park Church in Mobile, that has supported homeschooling families for more than 25 years. Tuesday co-op classes, field trips, record-keeping, transcripts, and graduation support help families at every stage of the journey.
Visit website - Tuscaloosa Home Educators · Tuscaloosa
A membership-based Christian organization serving Tuscaloosa-area homeschool families with support, encouragement, and a full calendar. Members enjoy homeschool sports teams, field trips, Geo Bee, honor society, parent workshops, a used book sale, and an annual graduation ceremony.
Visit website
Forest & Nature School
- Alabama Nature Center Homeschool Program · Millbrook (Elmore County)
Twice-monthly outdoor classes for homeschoolers at the Alabama Wildlife Federation's Alabama Nature Center, with small groups for ages 3 and a half through teens. Kids dive into outdoor skills, wildlife studies, pond and creek exploration, and up-close animal encounters.
Visit website - Little Mountain Forest School · Huntsville
A 100% outdoor, nature-immersion school in Huntsville where preschoolers and early elementary kids learn through child-led play in the woods. Families can choose from nature preschool, the Explorer homeschool enrichment program, playgroups, and seasonal wilderness camps.
Visit website - Nature Connect · Fairhope (Baldwin County)
A nature school set in the woods along a freshwater creek in Fairhope, offering outdoor preschool, homeschool enrichment for ages 6 to 10, teen and family programs, and camps. Days are filled with plant and animal study, tracking, storytelling, nature crafts, and plenty of play-based exploration.
Visit website
Waldorf School
- Alabama Waldorf School · Birmingham
Alabama's only Waldorf school, serving children from nursery through grade 8 on a leafy campus in Birmingham's Crestwood neighborhood. Core academics are woven together with art, music, movement, and storytelling to educate the whole child, and the school is fully accredited by AWSNA.
Visit website
Homeschooling in nearby states
Alabama homeschooling FAQ
What exactly is a church school in Alabama?
Under Ala. Code 16-28-1, a church school is a school operated as a ministry of a church or religious organization, and many operate home programs (often called cover or umbrella schools) for homeschooling families. Enrolling makes your child legally exempt from public school attendance once the enrollment form is filed with the superintendent.
Do I have to file paperwork every year?
No. The church school enrollment form is filed when you enroll, not annually. If you switch church schools or move districts, file a new form for the new enrollment.
Does Alabama require testing or subject checklists?
No. There is no state testing and no required subject list for the church school and private school options. Your umbrella school may have its own light requirements, which is part of why families shop around.
Do I need a diploma or degree to teach my own kids?
Not under the church school or private school options; the state sets no parent qualifications there. Only the separate private tutor option requires an Alabama-certified teacher.
Can my homeschooler play public school sports?
The Alabama High School Athletic Association amended its bylaws (starting in 2016) to let homeschool students participate at the public school they are zoned for, if they meet AHSAA eligibility rules. This came from AHSAA policy rather than a statute, so check current AHSAA rules and talk to the school's athletic director early.
Who issues my child's diploma?
Your church school or private school issues the diploma and keeps transcripts, or you issue them in a purely parent-run program. The state education department keeps no records for nonpublic students, so guard your copies well.
Sources
- Alabama State DOE, Homeschool
- HSLDA, Alabama
- HSLDA, How to Comply with Alabama's Homeschool Law
- Homeschool Alabama, Alabama Law
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Homeschool laws change, always confirm current requirements with your state's official sources before relying on them.