Please note, this is not intended as legal advice. This is for informational purposes only and should you choose to Homeschool in Iowa then you need to double check the Iowa Department of Education website for current regulations.
Iowa has moderate to high levels of regulation for homeschoolers based on which homeschool choice you opt into. Iowa has 5 different options for homeschoolers to consider. It’s important to carefully consider which homeschooling choice you make in Iowa because the choice will give you access to different programs and require different regulations from your homeschool.
- Homeschooling by Independent Private Instruction
- You must have a course of study and use a plan to provide your child with instruction in the following subjects: math, reading and language arts, science, and social studies.
- You don’t have to file any forms but the school superintendent or head of the Iowa Department of Education may request the following information: the primary instructor, address of instruction, and names of students.
- IPI homeschoolers have access to some programs offered by the school district, but they don’t have access to all the programs other homeschool choices have.
- Homeschooling by Opt-Out
- Under this option, you must provide instruction to your child using a plan and course of study in a setting other than a public or organized accredited nonpublic school.
- Homeschoolers operating under this option do have access to some programs offered by the school district, but they don’t have access to all the programs other homeschool choices may have.
- Homeschooling with an Annual Assessment
- You must file a Form A by September 1 of each year.
- Have a course of study and use a plan.
- Must submit assessments to your school district beginning the year the child is 7 by September 15 (or his or her first year of homeschooling, if older). For grades 5 and below, you must assess reading, language arts, and math. For grades 6 and above, you must assess reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science.
- If your student’s assessment does not show adequate progress, you may submit another assessment before the next school year begins. If adequate progress is still not shown, you will have to enroll your child in school unless the Iowa Department of Education approves a remediation program.
- Students operating under this option have access to dual enrollment in the public school. If they submit their request for dual enrollment by the September 15 deadline they may access to extra-curriculars, public school classes, free testing, low cost college classes, and more.
- Homeschooling with a Supervising Teacher
- You must file a Form A by September 1 of each year.
- Have a course of study and use a plan.
- Teach for the required number of days: 148 days per year and 37 days per semester.
- You will need to hire a qualified supervising teacher of your choice. The supervising teacher must contact your student twice each 45 days of instruction. One of those two contacts must be face-to-face.
- Students operating under this option have access to dual enrollment in the public school. If they submit their request for dual enrollment by the September 15 deadline they may access to extra-curriculars, public school classes, free testing, low cost college classes, and more.
- Homeschooling with a Home School Assistance Program
- You must file a Form A by September 1 of each year.
- Have a course of study and use a plan.
- Teach for the required number of days: 148 days per year and 37 days per semester.
- Public schools can impose any additional requirements they wish on students as a condition for participating in the HSAP, including annual testing. HSAP programs typically offer families free secular school books and access to a teacher of the school’s choice.
- Students operating under this option have access to dual enrollment in the public school. If they submit their request for dual enrollment by the September 15 deadline they may access to extra-curriculars, public school classes, free testing, low cost college classes, and more.
The best way to stay up-to-date on homeschool requirements in Iowa is to connect with other local homeschoolers.
Iowa Secular Homeschool Groups
Central Iowa Secular Homeschoolers
“Central Iowa Secular Homeschoolers is a group offering support, encouragement, and information to homeschoolers or people considering homeschooling.”
Iowa City Secular Homeschool Group
“This secular homeschool association welcomes all Iowa City and surrounding area families who are interested in creating community with homeschooling families of all backgrounds and lifestyles.”
Secular Homeschool – Ames, Iowa
“Connecting secular homeschoolers, or those interested in secular homeschooling, in the Ames, Iowa area.”
