Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Alabama?

Yes (for church school (cover school), the option most families use). You send notice to the local (city or county) superintendent of education, when the child is first enrolled in the church school. How often: once (no annual filing). Complete the local school system's church school enrollment form, signed by you and the church school administrator, and give it to the superintendent's office; keep a copy.

What subjects do I have to teach in Alabama?

Alabama doesn't set a required subject list (for church school (cover school), the option most families use). Most families still cover reading, writing, math, science and social studies.

How many days or hours of homeschool does Alabama require?

Not set by the state; set by the church school.

Are standardized tests or evaluations required in Alabama?

None required by the state; your church school may require testing.

What records should I keep when homeschooling in Alabama?

Attendance register for each child for each school day (kept by the teacher of the church school, usually the parent, and often reported to the cover school); Records your church school asks for (grades, coursework, test scores).

How to homeschool in Alabama

Low regulationChecked against official sources October 9, 2026

Alabama has no separate homeschool law. Most families enroll their children in a church school (often called a "cover school") and teach at home; the parent files a one-time church school enrollment form with the local superintendent, and the church school sets its own rules for days, subjects, and testing. Two less common routes are a home-based private school and a state-certified private tutor.

Homeschooling in Alabama at a glance: notice of intent required (send to the local (city or county) superintendent of education); instruction time: not set by the state; set by the church school; no required subject list; testing: none required by the state.

Option 1: Church school (cover school)

The option most families use.

Church school (cover school) · Ala. Code §§ 16-28-1, 16-28-3, 16-28-7

You enroll your child in a church school, a ministry of a local church, group of churches, denomination, or association of churches that takes no state or federal funding, and teach at home under its oversight. The state sets no days, subjects, testing, or teacher rules for church schools; follow your church school's own policies.

Notice: Send to: the local (city or county) superintendent of education.
When: when the child is first enrolled in the church school.
How often: once (no annual filing).
How: complete the local school system's church school enrollment form, signed by you and the church school administrator, and give it to the superintendent's office; keep a copy.
Instruction time: Not set by the state; set by the church school.
Records to keep: Attendance register for each child for each school day (kept by the teacher of the church school, usually the parent, and often reported to the cover school).
Records your church school asks for (grades, coursework, test scores).
Testing / evaluation: None required by the state; your church school may require testing.
Parent qualifications: None set by the state.

What the notice must include

Child's name.
Name of the church school the child is enrolled in.
Signature of the parent or guardian.
Signature of the church school administrator.

Checklist

Enroll your child in a church (cover) school: before you start homeschooling.
File the church school enrollment form with the local superintendent: once, when the child is first enrolled.
Keep a daily attendance register: ongoing, every school day.
Follow your church school's reporting rules (attendance, grades): as your church school requires.

Option 2: Home-based private school

Home-based private school · Ala. Code §§ 16-28-1, 16-1-11, 16-28-7, 16-28-8, 16-30-3, 16-30-4, 16-40-1

A school run by a nongovernmental entity can offer instruction through a home program, so a parent can run a private school at home or a family can enroll in an existing private school's home program. It carries more reporting than the church school route, including enrollment and absence reports and immunization proof.

Notice: Send to: the local (city or county) superintendent of education.
When: within 5 days after the local public schools open each year, then whenever a new child enrolls.
How often: annually, plus updates.
How: the private school reports the names and addresses of all enrolled school-age children, on forms from the State Department of Education or the superintendent.
Instruction time: Not specified for private schools.
Records to keep: Daily attendance register for each child.
Proof of immunization, or a medical or religious exemption certificate.
Testing / evaluation: None required by the state.
Parent qualifications: None set by the state.
Also: Report new enrollees and any children absent without a lawful excuse to the superintendent (weekly reporting is described in the statute).
Include a good-faith physical education program.

What the notice must include

Name and address of each school-age child enrolled.
Name of the private school.

Checklist

Report enrolled children's names and addresses to the superintendent: within 5 days after public schools open each year.
Keep immunization records or an exemption certificate on file: at enrollment.
Keep a daily attendance register and report unexcused absences/new enrollees: ongoing.

Option 3: Private tutor (certified teacher)

Private tutor (certified teacher) · Ala. Code § 16-28-5

Your child is taught by a tutor who holds a valid Alabama teaching certificate (a parent can be the tutor only if certified). Rarely used because of the certification and schedule rules.

Notice: Send to: the local (city or county) superintendent of education.
When: before tutoring begins.
How often: each school year.
How: the tutor files a written statement.
Instruction time: At least 3 hours a day, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., for 140 days each calendar year.
Required subjects: The branches of study required in the public schools, taught in English.
Records to keep: Daily register of hours used for instruction and each child's attendance or absence.
Testing / evaluation: None required by statute.
Parent qualifications: Tutor must hold a valid certificate issued by the Alabama State Superintendent of Education.
Also: Make any reports the State Board of Education requires.

What the notice must include

Names of the children being taught.
Subjects taught.
Period of instruction (schedule).

Checklist

File the tutor's statement (children, subjects, schedule) with the superintendent: before tutoring begins each school year.
Teach at least 3 hours/day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m: 140 days per calendar year.
Keep a daily register of instruction hours and attendance: ongoing.

Leaving a public school

Alabama law does not spell out a withdrawal procedure. Enroll in your church or private school first, file the enrollment form with the superintendent, then give the current school written notice that the child is enrolled elsewhere and keep a copy.

Common questions about homeschooling in Alabama

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Alabama?: Yes (for church school (cover school), the option most families use). You send notice to the local (city or county) superintendent of education, when the child is first enrolled in the church school. How often: once (no annual filing). Complete the local school system's church school enrollment form, signed by you and the church school administrator, and give it to the superintendent's office; keep a copy.
What subjects do I have to teach in Alabama?: Alabama doesn't set a required subject list (for church school (cover school), the option most families use). Most families still cover reading, writing, math, science and social studies.
How many days or hours of homeschool does Alabama require?: Not set by the state; set by the church school.
Are standardized tests or evaluations required in Alabama?: None required by the state; your church school may require testing.
Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Alabama?: None set by the state.
What records should I keep when homeschooling in Alabama?: Attendance register for each child for each school day (kept by the teacher of the church school, usually the parent, and often reported to the cover school); Records your church school asks for (grades, coursework, test scores).

Worth double-checking

We could not load the statute text directly from the Legislature's site; the requirements here come from the State Department of Education's citations cross-checked against HSLDA and Homeschool Alabama. The exact wording of the church school enrollment form varies by school system.
Compulsory school age is 6 to 17. A parent may delay a 6-year-old's enrollment until age 7 by notifying the local board in writing.
The CHOOSE Act (Act 2024-21) created education savings accounts; some homeschool students may be eligible for limited funds. Its application, eligibility, and testing rules are separate from the homeschool options above. Check with the State Department of Education / the CHOOSE program before applying.
No homeschool law changes were enacted in 2025. 2026 bills on homeschool access to career-tech courses (HB 183) and military-family homeschooling (SB 191) had not been confirmed as enacted when we checked.
Many private-school reporting rules appear unenforced for home-based programs, but follow them if you choose that option.

Sources

This is a plain-language summary to help you get organized, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the details with your state or school district before you file.