This information should by no means be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

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How to Start Homeschooling in Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach County Specific)

According to Florida homeschooling authorities, families who establish a home education program should:

1. File a notice of intent with the local superintendent’s office.

   • Miami-Dade County Steps

     1. Submit electronically a signed Notice of Intent within 30 days of establishing the home education program per - F.S.1002.41 home education programs. Prior to enrolling in home education, the . If the child has never been enrolled in a Miami-Dade County Public School, the Notice of Intent is to be submitted along with . All documents associated with Home Education are to be sent electronically to the Home Education email .

   • Broward County Steps

     1. Submit a Notice of Intent (PDF) to establish a home education program.

     2. If your child is currently attending a Broward County Public School: Withdraw your student from school. Submit a Notice of Intent (PDF) to establish a home education program. The notice of intent can be sent to us electronically at HOME.EDUCATION@BROWARDSCHOOLS.COM 

     3. If you have not previously attended a school in the District, and want to participate in a District School Service you will also need to submit:

        • Submit a Notice of Intent (PDF) to establish a home education program

        • Proof of residency (driver's license)

        • Birth certificate of the student

   • Palm Beach County Steps

     1. Submit a Notice of Intent (click for easy electronic form) to establish a home education - Spanish Version of Intent Form

2. Choose the curriculum. (In Florida, homeschool curriculum choice is up to the parent. We’ll get to that later.)

3. Maintain a portfolio of educational records and preserve them for two years. (You DO NOT have to keep everything. This is just a sample of what you have done for the year.)

4. Provide annual student evaluations to the superintendent.

   • Miami-Dade County:

     1. Provide an Annual Evaluation no later than your anniversary date. Please review for requirements regarding the annual evaluation per Florida Statute 1002.41.

   • Broward County:

     1. Provide an Annual Evaluation (PDF) for each student, no later than each anniversary of his/her date of registration with the Home School Education program as specified in section 1002.41, Florida Statutes (external link). Evaluators may submit an electronic version.

     2. Annual evaluations shall comply with one of the following 5 options:

        • A Florida certified teacher (valid regular teaching certificate) chosen by the parent/guardian shall evaluate the child’s educational progress based on a review of the portfolio and discussion with the student;  OR

        • The student shall take a nationally-normed achievement test administered by a certified teacher;  OR

        • The student may take a state student assessment test used by the school district and administered by a certified teacher, at a location and under testing conditions approved by the school district.  OR

        • The student shall be evaluated by an individual holding a valid, active license pursuant to the provisions of s. 490.003(7) or (8);  OR

        • The student shall be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the school district and the student’s parent.

          • List of Broward Home Education Evaluators

   • Palm Beach County:

     1. Maintain a portfolio containing work samples, reading list (title, author) and a log of educational activities

     2. Provide an Annual Evaluation (Creole, Spanish, Portuguese)

     3. Submit the evaluation results to the Home Education Office annually, no later than your anniversary date. Refer to the letter mailed to you when you registered for the anniversary date. If your child has completed a variety of courses through FLVS and/or another accredited program, print out a grade report (showing the school's letterhead) and submit this as an annual evaluation. You may mail, fax, or email the information to our office (homeed@palmbeachschools.org). Fill out the top portion of the evaluation form to reconfirm address and contact information.

     4. Preserve each student's portfolio for two years and make it available for inspection by the Superintendent's designee, with a 15-day written notice (section 1002.41 (2), F.S.)

5. Preserve each student’s portfolio for two years and make it available for inspection by the Superintendent’s designee, with a written notice.

6. Maintain a portfolio of records and materials including a daily log of educational activities (title/author of reading materials) and samples of student work products (e.g., worksheets, writing samples) for all subjects.

7. File letter of termination and annual evaluation upon completion of homeschool program.

   • Miami Dade Letter of Termination

   • Broward Letter of Termination

   • Palm Beach Letter of Termination

8. Start enjoying the freedom of homeschooling together!