How to start homeschooling in Connecticut
Everything Connecticut asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step by step
Know what Connecticut requires
Under current C.G.S. 10-184 a child of compulsory age need not attend public school if the parent can show the child is elsewhere receiving equivalent instruction in the studies taught in the public schools. Public Act 26-37 (approved May 26, 2026) replaces this with 'parent-managed learning' and adds a withdrawal form with a DCF records check (from July 1, 2027) and an annual intent-to-educate form (from the 2028-29 school year).
Required school ages in Connecticut: 5 to 18 (parent may delay a 5-year-old to 6, or a 6-year-old to 7, by signing an option form in person at the school district office). Teacher qualification for this option: No parent qualification requirement.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. Connecticut doesn’t require a separate notice under this option, so the letter is the school’s record that your child has left.
No notice to file
Connecticut doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.
Current law: no statutory notice; CSDE suggests (not required) contacting the local superintendent's office about how the district prefers notification. Under PA 26-37: (a) from the school year starting July 1, 2027, a parent withdrawing a public school student for parent-managed learning must personally appear at the school district office and sign a withdrawal form; within 2 business days the superintendent runs a DCF records check on household members 18+, and the withdrawal is not effective if any is on the child abuse/neglect registry or under investigation; the superintendent notifies the parent within 5 business days. (b) For the school year starting July 1, 2028 and after, every parent completes an annual 'intent to educate form' with the school district office of their town, or within 14 days after moving into a district.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Connecticut doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
No minimum; CSDE suggests (not required) keeping an attendance log of days and hours.
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
Reading; writing; spelling; English grammar; geography; arithmetic; United States history; citizenship (including a study of the town, state and federal governments).
C.G.S. 10-184 duty of parents to instruct children in these subjects; current law also requires instruction 'equivalent' to the studies taught in the public schools.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
No state testing; CSDE suggests (not required) a portfolio with samples of activities, assignments, projects and assessments.
Keep records anyway
Connecticut doesn’t require records under this option.
Not required by statute; CSDE suggests an attendance log and a portfolio for each child.
Our suggestion: keep attendance, a reading log and a few work samples each year. A move to another state, a college, or a question from the district is much easier with them.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
CSDE does not recognize homeschool credits or credentials; CSDE says the route to an official high school diploma for a homeschooled individual is the GED test.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: October 1 deadline, 'school year commencing July 1, 2028' and the July 1, 2027 withdrawal start were quoted from the act text; other PA 26-37 details (DCF check timing, data tracking) were read via summary and should be spot-checked. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Your Connecticut checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in Connecticut · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read Connecticut’s rules for “Home instruction”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start a simple attendance log and reading log
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions Connecticut parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Connecticut?
No. Connecticut doesn’t require a notice or registration.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in Connecticut?
No minimum; CSDE suggests (not required) keeping an attendance log of days and hours.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in Connecticut?
No state testing; CSDE suggests (not required) a portfolio with samples of activities, assignments, projects and assessments.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Connecticut?
No parent qualification requirement.
What subjects are required in Connecticut?
Reading; writing; spelling; English grammar; geography; arithmetic; United States history; citizenship (including a study of the town, state and federal governments).
What records do I need to keep in Connecticut?
Connecticut doesn’t require records. Keeping attendance, a reading log and work samples is still wise.
Keep going
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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