October 2026 · Legal
How to Start Homeschooling in Texas: A Plain-Language Guide
To start homeschooling in Texas, you don't register with the state and your child doesn't take state tests. Texas treats a homeschool as a private school. That means you need a real (bona fide) curriculum in written or visual form that covers reading, spelling, grammar, math and good citizenship. If your child is enrolled in public school now, send a signed, dated withdrawal letter first. That's the whole legal checklist.
If you're reading this at 11pm after a hard day at school pickup, take a breath. Texas is one of the simplest states in the country to homeschool in. Here's exactly what the law asks of you, and what it doesn't.
Texas Homeschool Law at a Glance
Notify the state?
No
Why: Homeschools are private schools under Tex. Educ. Code §25.086(a)(1), per the Texas Supreme Court's 1994 Leeper decision
There's no state registration and no annual letter of intent. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) says it has no regulatory authority over homeschools.
Required subjects
Five
Subjects: Reading, spelling, grammar, math, good citizenship
Good citizenship is similar to civics. The Pledge of Allegiance in the early grades and history, civics and government later all count toward it.
Testing or teacher certificate?
Neither
Ages covered: Compulsory attendance applies from age 6 until a child's 19th birthday (§25.085)
Texas has no assessment requirement and no parent qualification requirement.
Step by Step: Starting Homeschool in Texas
1. Withdraw your child (only if currently enrolled)
If your child is in a public school, give the school a signed, dated letter saying your child is being homeschooled and the date homeschooling began. TEA's guidance to districts says that letter is enough, and that you don't have to appear in person, present your curriculum for review or meet any other requirement. Keep a copy, and email or hand-deliver it so you have proof of the date. If your child has never been enrolled, or is leaving a private school, you don't need to notify the public school at all.
2. Choose a curriculum you'll actually use
It needs to be in visual form: books, workbooks, printed materials or on-screen and online programs all count. It must cover the five subjects above. You can buy a boxed curriculum, mix and match, or build your own. Not sure where to start? Our free homeschool style quiz helps you narrow it down.
3. Teach in a bona fide way
"Bona fide" means real, not a sham. The law doesn't set a number of days or hours. In practice, a regular routine and evidence of steady progress is what shows your homeschool is genuine.
4. Keep simple records (recommended, not required)
Texas law doesn't require records. Still, a short attendance log, a list of what you used and a few work samples each term protect you if a district ever asks. They also make transcripts easy later. Our printable workbook has planning and progress-tracking pages for this.
What If the School District Contacts You?
A district that thinks a child may be homeschooled can ask in writing for a letter of assurance. It is a short note confirming that your curriculum is designed to meet the basic goals of reading, spelling, grammar, math and good citizenship. TEA notes this isn't required every year. You don't have to send curriculum samples, meet in person or get approval.
Common Texas Questions, Answered
- Do Texas homeschoolers get a diploma? The state doesn't issue one, but parents can. Under Tex. Educ. Code §51.9241, completing a homeschool education is treated as equivalent to graduating from a public or private high school for Texas college admission purposes.
- Do I need to follow the school calendar? No. You set your own schedule.
- Is there new 2025 law I should know about? The Texas Home School Coalition reports that the Homeschool Freedom Act (HB 2674, 2025) explicitly bars state agencies from regulating homeschooling. It strengthens, rather than changes, the steps above.
Want the Whole First Month Mapped Out?
The Homeschool Starter Guide walks you through choosing an approach, planning your year, selecting curriculum, scheduling and record-keeping, and includes a state-by-state legal reference and template letters of intent you can customize.
Sources We Used
- Texas Education Agency: Alternative Schooling (Home Schooling)
- Texas Education Agency: Home Schools (Commissioner's letter to districts on withdrawal and letters of assurance)
- Texas Education Agency v. Leeper, Texas Supreme Court opinion (1994)
- Texas Education Code §25.085 and §25.086 (compulsory attendance and exemptions)
- HSLDA: Texas Homeschool Law
- Texas Home School Coalition: Requirements to Homeschool in Texas
- U.S. Department of Education: Texas State Regulations of Private and Home Schools
This is general information, not legal advice. We last checked these rules against the sources below in October 2026. Laws change, so confirm with the official sources before you file anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Next steps for your homeschool
Ready to go deeper? Get The Homeschool Starter Guidefor the complete step-by-step roadmap, or book a 1-on-1 consultationand we'll build a plan together for your family.
