Homeschooling in Iowa.

Compulsory ages

Your child must be educated if they're 6 or older and under 16 on September 15. A 5-year-old enrolled in public school counts too, unless you tell the district in writing that you're withdrawing them.

Choosing a route

Iowa offers five private instruction options, and you can switch between them at any time. Only some of them involve forms or testing.

Diplomas and transcripts

Since May 12, 2026, you may issue your own diploma and transcript, and Iowa must accept them as it would a school's. You may also sign documents verifying your child's enrollment and grades (House File 2754).

Leaving public school

On routes with no filing, telling the district your child's last day of attendance is optional, but it creates a record that helps avoid truancy questions.

What this route is

Competent Private Instruction (CPI) taught by a parent without a teaching license, where you choose not to report. The Iowa Department of Education calls it the Private Instruction Exemption.

Statute citation

Iowa Code §§ 299A.1(2)(a)(2) and 299A.3, which let a parent-instructor file a report and testing but don't require it.

Who you notify

No one. You don't file Form A, a curriculum, test results or health records.

Assessment

None required.

Days and subjects

State law sets no day count or subject list for this route. The department encourages reading and language arts, math, science and social studies.

Trade-offs

Your child can't dual enroll in district classes or activities. To use school special education services later, you would file Form A and move to the reporting route.

What this route is

CPI taught by a parent without a teaching license who files Form A, either to report or to dual enroll your child in district classes, activities or special education.

Statute citation

Iowa Code §§ 299.4 and 299A.3 to 299A.8.

Who you notify

Your school district of residence, or the district you open-enrolled into. It forwards a copy to its area education agency (AEA). Form A doesn't go to the state.

How and when

Send Form A by September 1 each year, or within 14 days of withdrawing or moving into the district. The first time, include immunization proof or a waiver, plus a blood lead test for elementary-age children.

What Form A includes

Your child's name and age, the period of instruction, the instructor's name and address, and an outline of your course of study (subjects, lesson plans and time spent) or the texts you'll use.

Days

The department asks for at least 148 days a year, with 37 in each quarter, and Form A asks you to confirm it.

Assessment

A baseline at age 7 or when you start, then a yearly evaluation by May 31: an approved standardized test, a portfolio review by a licensed Iowa teacher, or an accredited online school transcript. Send results to your district by August 1.

If progress falls short

Adequate progress means scoring above the 30th national percentile with six months' growth, or working at grade level. If not, your child enrolls in school the next year unless a retest, review or remediation plan is accepted.

Free testing

Your district or AEA must give the yearly test at no cost if you ask, and you may be present under the test administrator's supervision. Districts share testing dates by October 1.

Parent qualification

No teaching license needed.

What this route is

CPI provided or supervised by a teacher with a current Iowa license, or a substitute license or authorization. The teacher can be you or someone you hire privately.

Statute citation

Iowa Code §§ 299A.1(2)(a)(1), 299A.2 and 299.4(1).

Who you notify

Your school district of residence, with Form A, by September 1 or within 14 days of withdrawing or moving. Include the teacher's Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) folder number.

Days

At least 148 days a year, with at least 37 days in each school quarter.

Assessment

Not required by the state.

Teacher qualification

A valid Iowa license or certificate from the Board of Educational Examiners, appropriate to the ages and grades taught.

What this route is

A Home School Assistance Program (HSAP) run by your district or an accredited nonpublic school, at no cost to you, with a licensed supervising teacher. Districts don't have to offer one.

Statute citation

Iowa Code §§ 299A.2, 299.4(2) and 299A.12.

How to join

Ask your district and send Form A by September 15, or within 14 days of moving in or withdrawing. The program then files the state report for your child.

Teacher contact

The supervising teacher checks in four times every nine weeks, with at least two of those visits in person.

Days

At least 148 days a year, with at least 37 in each quarter.

Assessment

Not required by state law, though your program may require it to take part.

Teacher qualification

The program's supervising teacher holds an Iowa license for the ages and grades taught. You don't need one.

What this route is

Independent Private Instruction (IPI): unaccredited private or religious-based instruction, exempt from most school laws. Since May 12, 2026, there's no limit on unrelated students, and tuition is allowed (House File 2754).

Statute citation

Iowa Code § 299A.1(2)(b), as amended by House File 2754 (2026). The online Iowa Code may still show the old four-student and no-tuition rules.

Who you notify

No one, unless your district superintendent or the director of the Iowa Department of Education asks in writing. Then you report the primary instructor, location, the responsible authority and enrolled students' names.

Required subjects

Mathematics, reading and language arts, science and social studies, at every grade level.

Assessment and records

No testing, records or health forms are required. You may arrange a standardized test at your own cost.

Trade-offs

Your child can't dual enroll in district classes or activities, though high schoolers may take concurrent college courses and driver's education through the district.