How to start homeschooling in Connecticut
The legal steps, in order, checked against Connecticut law.
Short answer: Connecticut law requires a child of compulsory age to attend public school unless the parent can show the child is elsewhere receiving equivalent instruction in the studies taught in public schools. Current statute does not require a homeschool notice, but the State Department of Education asks parents to contact their local district's central office and give notice of their intent. A 2026 law (Public Act 26-37) adds an in-person withdrawal form starting in the 2027-28 school year and an annual intent to educate form starting in the 2028-29 school year. A parent may delay school entry at age five until six, and at six until seven, by signing an option form in person at the district office.
Checked against Conn. Gen. Stat. 10-184 on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 5 to 18. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Equivalent instruction at home
Parents who will teach their child at home in place of public school attendance.
Steps
- Contact your local school district's central office to learn its procedures and give notice of your intent to homeschool, as the State Department of Education asks. The statute itself does not require a notice.
- Plan instruction in reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, United States history, and citizenship, including the town, state, and federal governments.
- Be prepared to show that your child is receiving instruction equivalent to the studies taught in the public schools.
| Notice to the state | No notice required |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, United States history, and citizenship, including a study of the town, state, and federal governments. |
| Time | None required by law |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law |
| Records to keep | None required by law. The State Department of Education lists as best practice an attendance log of days and hours, and a portfolio for each child with work samples, a log of books and materials, and results of any national assessments. |
The law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 10-184 Conn. Gen. Stat. 10-184b CSDE Homeschooling in Connecticut
Leaving public school mid-year
Current statute sets an in-person withdrawal form only for a student 17 or older leaving school (or 17 and moving to adult education) and for a parent using the option to delay school entry at age five or six. Under Public Act 26-37, starting in the 2027-28 school year, a parent withdrawing a child from public school must go in person to the district office and sign a withdrawal form, and a child may not be withdrawn for parent-managed learning if Department of Children and Families records show an adult living with the child is on the child abuse and neglect registry or under investigation.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
The State Department of Education does not accredit homeschooling programs and does not recognize credits or credentials earned through them. Districts are not required to award graduation credit for homeschool work in grades 9 to 12, so students who re-enroll in those grades are not guaranteed credit. The department says the route to an official high school diploma is passing the GED test. A child may return to public school at any time.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Connecticut?
Not under the equivalent instruction at home route.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Connecticut?
No. Connecticut law does not require testing under the equivalent instruction at home route.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Connecticut?
Reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, United States history, and citizenship, including a study of the town, state, and federal governments.
What ages must be schooled in Connecticut?
Ages 5 to 18, per state law.
Sources
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 10-184
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 10-184b
- CSDE Homeschooling in Connecticut
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 10-184a (special education for children in home or private school)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 10-221a (high school graduation credit)
- OLR Report 2026-R-0079, 2026 Acts Affecting Education (summary of PA 26-37)
- Homeschooling in Connecticut, Connecticut State Department of Education
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.