Homeschooling in Alabama.

Statute citation

Ala. Code §§ 16-28-1(2) (church school defined), 16-28-3 (ages 6–17; church-school exemption), 16-28-7 (enrollment and attendance reports).

Compulsory ages

From 6 to 17 (§ 16-28-3). You can delay enrollment at 6 by telling your local board of education in writing that your child will start at 7.

Who you notify (if applicable)

You file your child's enrollment with your local public school superintendent on the superintendent's form. The church school's administrator signs it too, and you return it to the superintendent (§ 16-28-7). The law sets no date, so file it when you enroll. Alabama does not license or regulate church schools.

How homeschooling works here

Enrolling in a church school satisfies compulsory attendance, and little else is required of the family. When you enroll, ask the church school to notify the superintendent if your child stops attending. Church schools don't send the weekly reports that private schools do.

Required subjects

For church-school families, Alabama's school attendance law doesn't list required subjects. Your school sets its own course of study.

Assessment

None required.

What this route is

A separate route: operating as a private school, rather than enrolling in a church school or using a private tutor.

Statute citation

Ala. Code §§ 16-28-7, 16-28-8.

Who you notify (if applicable)

The school's principal teacher reports enrollment (the names and addresses of enrolled children of compulsory-attendance age) to the county or city superintendent by the end of the fifth day after public school opens, then reports at least weekly on new enrollees and unexcused absences, and keeps a daily attendance register (§§ 16-28-7, 16-28-8).

Assessment

None required.

What this route is

A separate route: teaching by a state-certified private tutor on a fixed daily schedule, rather than enrolling in a church school.

Statute citation

Ala. Code § 16-28-5.

Who you notify (if applicable)

Before instruction begins, the tutor files with the county superintendent of education (or the city superintendent of schools in a city system), listing the children, the subjects and the period of instruction.

Parent qualification

An Alabama teaching certificate is required for this route.

Instruction hours

At least 3 hours a day for 140 days each calendar year, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., in English, covering the branches of study required in public schools.

Assessment

None required.

Records required

A daily register.