Home Schooling (Private Instruction)

If you are currently using the 2017-2018 Private Instruction Handbook, or are seeking guidance for the 2018-2019 school year, please be sure to check the website prior to the beginning of the 2018 - 2019 school year for the most current version of the handbook. Revisions are in process and an updated version of the handbook will be available prior to the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

Families may choose to educate their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional public or nonpublic school.  This is called home schooling. Families choose to home school for a variety of reasons. That is why the state of Iowa allows several educational options for home schooling:

• Full-time home school with the support of a certified teacher (Competent Private Instruction)
• Full-time home school without the support of a certified teacher (Competent Private Instruction or Independent Private Instruction)
• Part-time homeschool with part-time enrollment in a school district (Competent Private Instruction)
• Attendance at a non-accredited school (Competent Private Instruction)

Home schooling with the support of a certified teacher. Home instruction is supervised by a teacher hired by the family or provided by a district’s Home School Assistance program (HSAP).

Home schooling without the support of a certified teacher. The family provides the total educational program with no interaction with a public school or certified teacher.

Part-time homeschool with part-time enrollment in a school district. The student completes some instruction at home, and participates in a public school for some instruction or extra-curricular activities.

Attendance at a non-accredited school. A student attends a school that does not meet accreditation standards.

It’s important to note that home-schooled high school students cannot receive a diploma from an accredited school.

2017-2018 Private Instruction Handbook

Private Instruction Comparison Chart 2017-2018

Private Instruction Form A 2017-2018

Annual Assessment Notification Sample Letter 2017-2018

Acceptable Tests for Baseline and Annual Assessment Option 2017-2018

Senior Year Plus and Dual Enrolled Students