How to start homeschooling in Alabama

Everything you need to legally begin homeschooling in Alabama, broken into clear steps. Plan to spend about an hour completing the paperwork before your first day.

The short version

Alabama is a low-regulation state. Most families homeschool through a church school cover or by hiring a state-certified private tutor.

The full process, step by step

Step 1

Choose a church school cover (most popular path) or hire a state-certified private tutor.

Step 2

Enroll with the cover school and complete its registration paperwork.

Step 3

File a withdrawal letter with your child's current public school if applicable.

Step 4

Begin instruction in the required subject areas.

Step 5

Maintain attendance and academic records per your cover school's requirements.

Things that help on day one

A binder, folder, or app to keep paperwork in one place.
Your child's most recent report card or academic records.
A simple weekly rhythm sketched out — even one bullet list of subjects per day.
A camera or phone for documenting the first weeks of moments.
A list of any homeschool co-ops, libraries, or community groups in your area.

Disclaimer: This guide summarises commonly known Alabama homeschool requirements. Laws change. For official, up-to-date legal guidance, consult the HSLDA state guide or your state Department of Education before submitting paperwork.

Read the full Alabama homeschool law summary →

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