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WITHDRAWING YOUR CHILD FROM SCHOOL

If your child has not been previously enrolled in public or private school, it is not necessary to contact the school or the State Department of Education. Just get your curriculum and get started!

If your children have already been enrolled in public or private school, proceed by following the general guidelines below. If they are listed on the school rolls, your children will be reported as truant if they do not show up for class. You must withdraw them either in person or by letter.(Sample Letter) It is preferable to withdraw your child before school begins or at the end of the school year. The next best choice is at the semester break. Each school district has different administrative personnel and may respond differently to your decision to educate at home.
The outline below will give you maximum preparation that may not be necessary in all cases, depending on the cooperation of your local district. It may be possible to withdraw your child with a letter to the school. This will be most profitable if initiated at the end of the school year, giving the school time to respond.
In other cases, a personal visit may be best. Please read carefully. It is best not to volunteer any unsolicited information, in order to protect the rights of home educators at large.

I. Consider joining the Home School Legal Defense Association and/or some other support organization before contacting the school. (Membership and HSLDA)
2. Be courteous. Be positive. Don't dwell on negatives. To teachers and administrators, this is their profession, and few will understand your motivation for wanting to teach at home. Simply explain that you feel that this is best for your child.
3. Come well prepared. Have a copy of the state law in case your school is unaware of the legality of home education.
4. Ask for a copy of your child's records. If you are withdrawing from a private school, the school will probably give you the original file.
5. You may be asked to sign some type of release form stating that you are aware that the school is removed from all responsibility toward your child's education (books, helps, etc.).

Commonly Asked Questions about dealing with the school district