State law guide

How to Homeschool in Texas

No Notice regulationScout Verified · June 10, 2026

Checked by hand against Texas Education Agency, Home Schooling, last verified June 10, 2026.

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Is homeschooling legal in Texas?

Yes, homeschooling is fully legal in Texas. Texas is one of the friendliest states in the country for homeschooling. Thanks to a 1994 Texas Supreme Court decision, homeschools operate as private schools, and you never file anything with the state. If your child has never attended public school, you can simply begin teaching at home today.

Texas homeschool requirements at a glance

Notice requiredNo. Texas requires no notice, registration, or filing of any kind.
Required subjectsYes. Reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship.
Testing / assessmentNo. No testing or evaluation is ever required.
RecordkeepingNo. Nothing is required by law, though basic records are wise.
Parent qualificationsNone. No diploma, degree, or teaching certificate required.

Texas homeschool law in detail

Each requirement below links to the statute that governs it, so you can read the law yourself instead of taking our word for it. The governing law is Tex. Educ. Code 25.086(a)(1); Leeper v. Arlington ISD (Tex. 1994).

Notice / letter of intent

Texas requires no notice of intent, no registration, and no annual paperwork. Under Leeper v. Arlington ISD (Texas Supreme Court, 1994), homeschools are treated as private schools, and private school students are exempt from compulsory attendance under Texas Education Code section 25.086(a)(1). A school district may send a written request asking you to provide a letter of assurance that your child is being homeschooled, and responding with a short letter is usually all it takes. The Texas Education Agency confirms it does not regulate, monitor, approve, register, or accredit homeschool programs.

Read the law: No notice required Under Leeper and Tex. Educ. Code 25.086(a)(1), homeschools are private schools and need no notice or registration.

Required subjects

To qualify as a legal homeschool under Leeper, you must teach in a bona fide (genuine, not a sham) manner using some form of visual or written curriculum, which includes books, workbooks, and online programs. The required subjects are reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a course in good citizenship. Science and history are not legally required, but most families include them, and colleges expect them for admission.

Read the law: Leeper v. Arlington ISD (bona fide curriculum) Reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship, per the Leeper standard.

Required days or hours

Texas sets no required number of school days or hours for homeschools. You choose your own calendar and daily schedule.

Read the law: No instruction-time mandate Texas sets no required days or hours.

Recordkeeping

Texas law does not require homeschool families to keep any records. That said, it is smart to keep simple attendance notes, samples of work, and especially a high school transcript, since parents issue their own diplomas and colleges and employers will ask for documentation. The State of Texas does not issue diplomas to homeschool graduates, but Texas public colleges must treat homeschool graduates the same as public school graduates for admission.

Read the law: No recordkeeping mandate Texas law requires no homeschool records.

Testing and assessment

No testing, portfolio review, or evaluation of any kind is required at any grade level. Families who want outside feedback can choose to use national standardized tests privately, but the results never have to be reported to anyone.

Read the law: No assessment mandate No testing or evaluation is required at any grade.

Withdrawing from public school

If your child is currently enrolled in a Texas public school, send a short written withdrawal letter to the school (principal or registrar) stating the date of withdrawal and that the child will be homeschooled in compliance with Texas law. Sending it by certified mail or hand-delivering and keeping a copy gives you proof and helps the school close out attendance records cleanly. After that, if the district mails you a request for assurance, reply briefly that your curriculum covers reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship.

Read the law: Tex. Educ. Code 25.086(a)(1) (private-school exemption) Withdrawal is district practice; the Leeper exemption is the legal basis.

Good to know

Three 2025 laws are worth knowing. SB 401 makes homeschool UIL participation the default in every district unless the local board opts out (boards must act by August 1 each year). SB 2 created Texas Education Freedom Accounts, an education savings account program launching for the 2026-27 school year that includes a smaller annual amount (roughly 2,000 dollars) for participating homeschool students HB 2674, the Homeschool Freedom Act (effective September 1, 2025), prohibits state agencies from adopting new rules regulating homeschool programs.

How to start homeschooling in Texas

  1. If your child is enrolled in public school, send a written withdrawal letter to the school stating that you are withdrawing your child to homeschool. If your child has never enrolled, skip this step entirely.
  2. Choose a written or visual curriculum that covers reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship. Packaged programs, library-built plans, and online programs all count.
  3. Set up a simple record system: a folder for work samples, a basic attendance log, and (for teens) a transcript template. None of it is required, but all of it is useful later.
  4. Start teaching on whatever calendar works for your family. Texas sets no required days or hours.
  5. Connect with a local or statewide support group such as the Texas Home School Coalition for community, co-ops, and updates on Texas law.

File your notice

Good news: Texas requires no notice or form to homeschool. No notice or form required to homeschool in Texas, though a parent withdrawing a child already enrolled in public school should send the district a written letter of intent to homeschool.

Form links checked when we built this page.

Homeschool funding in Texas

We're verifying Texas'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 Texas Withdrawal and Assurance Letter template

Fill-in-the-blank and ready to send. Free, no email required.

Download the free template

Find homeschool families near you in Texas

Co-Op

  • Brazos Valley Christian Home Educators Association (BVCHEA) · Bryan/College Station

    A nonprofit ministering to Brazos Valley homeschool families since 1991, best known for its Brazos Valley Mustangs athletics with football, volleyball, baseball, softball, golf, and cheer from mini camps for the littles up through high school competition.

    Visit website
  • El Paso Homeschool Association · El Paso

    Connects far West Texas homeschoolers to local groups and co-ops, curriculum guidance, Spanish-language resources, and the city's annual homeschool conference, with help navigating both Texas and New Mexico homeschool law.

    Visit website
  • FEAST (Family Educators Alliance of South Texas) · San Antonio

    Serving South Texas homeschoolers since the mid-1980s, FEAST is the area's hub for parent-directed education, helping launch and nurture support groups, co-ops, and sports teams and acting as a clearinghouse for activities and resources.

    Visit website
  • GraceLubbock Homeschool Group · Lubbock

    A Friday co-op supporting homeschool families through faith, fellowship, and educational enrichment, with in-person classes and community for families with children ages 0-19. Parents play a vital role in the classrooms.

    Visit website
  • Greater Waco Christian Home Educators (GWCHE) · Waco

    A volunteer Christian support group for Waco-area homeschool families, with a member calendar, co-op and sports connections, curriculum recommendations, a resource fair, and help with transcripts and dual credit.

    Visit website
  • HOPE Homeschool RGV · McAllen (Rio Grande Valley)

    One of the oldest homeschool support groups in Texas, serving Valley families from McAllen to Harlingen since 1994 with spring and fall co-op classes, gym athletics, student council, and graduation. A homeschool community you can call family.

    Visit website
  • HOST - Homeschool Organization of South Texas · Corpus Christi

    A Christian volunteer-led support organization serving Coastal Bend homeschoolers since the late 1980s, offering field trips, park days, WINGS athletics, theater, and the GAP enrichment co-op. Members of all faiths are welcomed.

    Visit website
  • PEACH - Plano Educators Association of Christian Homeschoolers · Plano

    A volunteer association of nearly 200 Christian homeschooling families in the Plano area, offering weekly park days, field trips, drama and book clubs, Trail Life and American Heritage Girls troops, and plenty of family fellowship.

    Visit website
  • REACH Homeschool Co-op · Clear Lake (Southeast Houston)

    A Christ-centered co-op of about 100 families that has met Friday mornings at University Baptist Church since 1996, with academic and enrichment classes from preschool through high school plus park days and a senior graduation ceremony.

    Visit website
  • TACHE - Tyler Area Christian Home Educators · Tyler

    A volunteer-run Christian homeschool network serving over 200 East Texas families a year, with band, book clubs, a used book sale, prom, and graduation celebrations. Families with children of any ability level are welcome.

    Visit website
  • Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) · Statewide

    Texas's statewide homeschool organization, offering legal advocacy, one-on-one coaching, curriculum help, and connections to local groups so you never have to homeschool alone.

    Visit website

Forest & Nature School

  • Heritage Nature School · Fort Worth

    A nature-rooted homeschool program inspired by Montessori and Waldorf principles, with mixed-age learning bands, academic enrichment and hybrid school options, and parent-child Fridays in the Park sessions where everyone is welcome.

    Visit website
  • Nature School of Fairview · Fairview (Collin County)

    A screen-free, stress-free nature preschool and forest school north of Dallas teaching academics through hands-on nature exploration with an 8:1 ratio, plus Mommy & Me classes for ages 0-3, after-school care, and summer camp.

    Visit website
  • The Nest Nature School at the Cibolo · Boerne (Kendall County)

    A nature-based preschool and kindergarten on the historic Herff Farm at the Cibolo Center for Conservation, where mixed-age classes of 3-5 year olds spend about 70% of their day outdoors in play, exploration, and discovery.

    Visit website
  • The Wild School · Houston

    Houston's nature school for all ages, from outdoor play groups and a nature-based preschool to a fully outdoor Forest Kindergarten and a weekly Forest School drop-off program built just for homeschool families ages 6-18.

    Visit website
  • Wild Life Forest Preschool at Earth Native · Bastrop (Austin area)

    Central Texas's first true forest preschool, set in the hardwood forest along Cedar Creek between Austin and Bastrop, where 3-5 year olds spend their days outdoors in play-based, child-led learning rooted in nature connection.

    Visit website
  • Will Smith Zoo School · San Antonio

    A nature-based preschool at the San Antonio Zoo where 3-5 year olds spend at least 70% of the day outdoors and explore the zoo every day, with animal interactions woven into learning. NAEYC accredited, in the country's first LEED Platinum preschool building.

    Visit website

Waldorf School

  • Austin Waldorf School · Austin

    The only fully accredited PreK-12 Waldorf school in Texas, on a 33-acre campus at the edge of the Hill Country, weaving visual arts, music, theater, and movement through a hands-on, age-appropriate education.

    Visit website
  • Great Oak School · Tomball (Houston area)

    A Waldorf-inspired preschool and grade school with forest and fields to explore, balancing the academic, artistic, and practical realms of education while cultivating a lifelong love of learning.

    Visit website
  • Raphael Springs Academy · Dripping Springs (Hill Country)

    A Waldorf-inspired academy weaving in elements of Classical education and Forest Kin practice, serving early childhood through the upper grades on a campus with biodynamic farming and nature-based learning.

    Visit website

Homeschooling in nearby states

See homeschool laws for all 50 states

Texas homeschooling FAQ

Do I have to register or notify anyone to homeschool in Texas?

No. Texas has no registration, no notice of intent, and no annual filing. The only letter you may ever need to send is a withdrawal letter if your child is leaving a public school, or a brief letter of assurance if a district asks for one in writing.

Do I need a high school diploma or teaching certificate to homeschool my kids?

No. Texas sets no qualifications for homeschool parents. You do not need a diploma, a degree, or any certification.

Can my homeschooled student play UIL sports and join public school activities?

Yes, in most districts. Under Senate Bill 401 (2025), homeschool students may participate in UIL activities in their local district by default unless the school board votes to opt out. If your district opts out, the law allows participation in the nearest district that allows it.

Who gives my child a diploma?

You do. Texas does not issue diplomas to homeschool students, so the parent issues the diploma and transcript as the administrator of the homeschool. Texas public colleges and universities must treat homeschool graduates the same as public school graduates for admission.

What if my child wants to return to public school later?

Students can enroll in public school at any time. The district may assess your child to decide grade placement and which high school credits to award, so keeping work samples and a transcript makes re-entry much smoother.

Did Texas homeschool law change recently?

Yes, in homeschoolers' favor. In 2025 Texas passed the Homeschool Freedom Act (HB 2674), which bars state agencies from imposing new regulations on homeschools, and SB 401, which opened UIL activities to homeschoolers by default. Texas also created an education savings account program (SB 2) that includes a homeschool option.

Sources

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.

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