How to Switch From Public School to Homeschool: Withdrawal Steps, State Rules and Funding

Before you withdraw: three things to check

Most of the stress in switching comes from doing steps in the wrong order. Check these first.

1. Your state's homeschool law. Some states want a notice before you start, some within days after, and some want nothing at all. Find your state in our homeschool laws by state directory.
2. Funding rules. Some scholarships require your child to be enrolled in public school when you apply. Georgia's Promise Scholarship, for example, requires two consecutive semesters in a Georgia public school (or a rising kindergartner), and you must leave public school to use the funds. Withdrawing too early could cost you eligibility. Check your state's scholarship page.
3. Timing. Mid-year is fine legally. But if your child has a big project, test or sports season ending soon, a natural break can make the switch easier.

Step 1: Learn your state's notice rule

Here's how withdrawal timing works in a sample of states, based on our state guides as of October 2026:

Law changes often. Confirm on your state page and the official source before you file.

Step 2: File your notice (if required)

• Use the official form or portal when there is one. Many states now file online.
• Include only what the law asks for. Usually names, ages, address and sometimes a start date. You don't owe the district extra information about your curriculum unless your state requires it.
• Keep proof. Save the confirmation email, a screenshot or a certified mail receipt.

Step 3: Send a written withdrawal letter

Even in states with no homeschool notice, your child is still enrolled until the school removes them. A short, dated letter prevents truancy problems.

What to include:

• Your child's full name, birth date and grade
• The school's name
• The date your child stops attending
• A plain statement that you're withdrawing your child to homeschool under your state's law
• In states that require it, a note that your notice was filed, with the date
• A request for the child's records, if you want copies
• Your signature and date

A simple template:

To the principal of [school]: Effective [date], I am withdrawing my child, [full name], born [date], grade [grade], from [school] to provide home education under [state] law. [Our notice of intent was filed on (date).] Please remove [child] from enrollment and send a copy of [his/her/their] cumulative records to the address below. Thank you, [name, address, signature, date]

How to send it: email with a read receipt, hand delivery with a signed copy, or certified mail. Keep a copy. Don't let the school talk you into "home-based" public options or independent study unless that's what you want; those keep your child enrolled in public school.

Step 4: Request records and return school property

• Ask for the cumulative file, including report cards, test scores, any evaluations and the IEP or 504 plan. You may need them later.
• Return devices, textbooks and library books to avoid fees and holds on records.
• Download anything you want from the school's learning platforms before accounts close.

Step 5: Plan for special education needs

If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, think it through before you leave.

• The IEP usually ends when your child leaves public school. Keep the most recent copy and any evaluations; they're useful for scholarship applications and private therapists.
• Some services may still be available. Rules vary by state. New York, for example, has specific requirements for providing special education services to homeschooled students. Ask your district what it offers.
• ESAs can help. Programs like Texas TEFA (up to $30,000 with a current IEP on file with TEA), Arizona's ESA and Florida's FES-UA give larger awards for students with disabilities. See special needs scholarships.

Read IEP vs 504 plan for the basics.

Step 6: Take a breather before you start curriculum

Kids leaving a hard school situation often need time to reset. Many families spend a few weeks "deschooling": reading, visiting the library, doing hands-on projects and following interests. Our deschooling guide explains how long and what it looks like.

Step 7: Choose curriculum and a routine

You don't need to replicate a school day. Most homeschoolers finish core work in a few hours.

• Start simple. Pick math and reading first, then add the rest.
• Try free first. Easy Peasy, Discovery K12 and Khan Academy let you start tomorrow at no cost. See free homeschool curriculum.
• Match your child. An open-and-go program like Time4Learning suits kids used to screens and structure. Hands-on learners might do better with The Good and the Beautiful.

For a full walkthrough of approaches, schedules and record-keeping, see how to start homeschooling.

Step 8: Set up funding

Depending on your state, homeschooling may come with money. As of 2026–27:

• Texas TEFA pays $2,000 per homeschool student.
• Alabama CHOOSE Act pays $2,000 per homeschool student, up to $4,000 per family.
• Utah Fits All pays $4,000 or $6,000 by age for home-based students.
• Florida PEP funds an education account; Step Up cites about $8,000 on average.
• Arkansas, West Virginia, Wyoming, Missouri and others have programs open to homeschoolers.

Some programs prorate mid-year starts. West Virginia's Hope Scholarship, for example, pays 50% for new applications from September 16 to November 30, 2026, and 25% from December 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027. Iowa's half-year ESA window runs October 15 to November 15, 2026, but Iowa requires private school enrollment, so it doesn't fund homeschoolers.

See homeschool funding by state and how to pay for homeschool curriculum. Save the products you plan to use to your wishlist so you're ready when applications open.

Step 9: Keep records from day one

Even if your state doesn't require records, keep:

• Your filed notice and withdrawal letter
• A simple attendance log or calendar
• A list of curriculum and books used
• A few work samples per subject each term
• Test results, if any

For teens, start a transcript right away with our homeschool transcript generator. It makes returning to school, dual enrollment or college applications much easier.

Your switch checklist

• Read your state's homeschool law
• Check scholarship eligibility before withdrawing
• File the notice of intent (if required) and save proof
• Send a dated withdrawal letter and keep a copy
• Request records; return school property
• Save IEP, 504 and evaluation documents
• Take a few weeks to deschool
• Choose math and reading curriculum
• Apply for any homeschool funding
• Start an attendance log and portfolio

Programs that help

• Easy Peasy: free complete curriculum you can start the same day.
• Discovery K12: free secular curriculum with daily plans.
• Time4Learning: online, open-and-go curriculum for $39.95 a month.
• The Good and the Beautiful: low-cost, gentle language arts with free PDFs.
• Khan Academy: free math to keep skills on track during the switch.