Homeschooling in Alabama

Compulsory Attendance Ages

Under Alabama law, children between the ages of 6 and 17 must attend school or receive equivalent instruction. If your child turns 6 on or before September 2 of that school year, compulsory attendance applies.

Three Legal Homeschool Options

Alabama does not have a single "homeschool statute." Instead, you have three distinct legal pathways to educate your children at home, each with different requirements. Most Alabama homeschooling families choose the church school option because it carries the fewest regulations.

Option 1: Church School (Cover School / Umbrella School)

This is the most popular option and the one most homeschool families in Alabama use. Under Ala. Code 16-28-1, a church school is one operated as a ministry of a local church, group of churches, denomination, or association of churches on a nonprofit basis. Many of these schools function specifically as "cover schools" or "umbrella schools" for homeschooling families.

• Notification: You must provide a one-time notice of enrollment to your local school district.
• Teacher Qualifications: None required.
• Required Subjects: None mandated by the state. Your church school may set its own curriculum guidelines.
• Testing: No state-mandated standardized testing.
• Attendance: The number of instructional days is determined by the church school, not the state (public schools require 180 days).
• Records: You must maintain attendance records as required by your church school.

Option 2: Private School

Under Ala. Code 16-28-1 and 16-1-11, a private school is established, conducted, and supported by a nongovernmental agency offering instruction in grades K-12. Private schools may include "home programs" where instruction takes place at home.

• Notification: One-time notice of enrollment to the local school district.
• Teacher Qualifications: None specifically required for private school home programs.
• Required Subjects: None mandated by the state.
• Testing: No state-mandated testing.
• Immunizations: Required for this option unless you obtain an exemption.
• Records: Must maintain attendance records and submit an annual enrollment and attendance report.

Option 3: Private Tutor

The private tutor option under Ala. Code 16-28-5 is the most regulated pathway and the least commonly used.

• Notification: Must file a statement with the local superintendent showing the children being instructed, the subjects taught, and the period of instruction.
• Teacher Qualifications: The tutor must hold a valid Alabama teaching certificate.
• Required Subjects: Must cover the subjects required in public schools.
• Schedule: Instruction must be provided for at least 3 hours per day for 140 days each calendar year, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Records: A written report of the work completed must be filed with the local superintendent of education.

Withdrawing from Public School

If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, you should notify the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child. Enroll in a church school, private school, or establish a private tutor arrangement before you send your withdrawal letter. Alabama law does not require a specific withdrawal form, but putting everything in writing protects you.

Alabama CHOOSE Act (Education Savings Accounts)

The Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students' Education (CHOOSE) Act, signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on March 7, 2024, is a game-changer for Alabama homeschool families. This program provides refundable income tax credits in the form of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to eligible K-12 students.

• Amount: Homeschool families receive $2,000 per student, capped at $4,000 per family.
• Eligible Expenses: Curriculum, textbooks, educational supplies, tutoring, and other qualified education expenses.
• Platform: Funds are distributed through ClassWallet, a secure digital platform for education spending.
• Priority: For 2025-2026, first priority goes to students with special needs (first 500 ESAs), then dependents of active-duty military in priority schools, with remaining awards based on family income (up to 300% of the federal poverty level).
• Funding: The Legislature appropriated $180 million for the 2025-2026 school year.

Federal Tax Benefits

Starting in 2026, the federal "Big, Beautiful Bill" allows up to $20,000 in annual withdrawals from 529 education savings accounts for qualified K-12 expenses including books, tutoring, and test fees. Previously, the annual cap was $10,000. Additionally, a new federal tax credit of up to $1,700 is available for donations to state-certified scholarship-granting organizations.

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts

All families nationwide may contribute up to $2,000 per year per child to a Coverdell ESA. These funds grow tax-free and can be used for K-12 educational expenses including curriculum, supplies, and tutoring.