How to Start Homeschooling in Texas

Yes. Homeschooling is absolutely legal in Texas. It has been settled law since 1994. The legal protections for homeschool families here are among the strongest in the country.

Texas does not have a separate homeschool statute. The word "homeschool" does not appear in the Texas Education Code. Instead, homeschools operate as private schools. Tex. Educ. Code Section 25.086(a)(1) exempts children who attend a "private or parochial school that includes in its course a study of good citizenship." Your homeschool fits that definition.

The case that settled everything was Leeper v. Arlington ISD, 893 S.W.2d 432 (Tex. 1994). The Texas Supreme Court made five key rulings. First, homeschools are private schools under the statute. Second, the curriculum must be "bona fide" — genuine, not a sham. Third, instruction must be in "visual form" — using books, workbooks, or written materials. Fourth, school districts may not require homeschool families to register, test, or prove their curriculum. Fifth, the Texas Education Agency has no regulatory authority over homeschools.

That fifth point is worth sitting with. Unlike many states, there is no state agency watching over you. The TEA does not collect enrollment data, review your curriculum, or check on you. You do not need permission from anyone.

Texas requires education from age 6 through the child's 19th birthday. This comes from Tex. Educ. Code Section 25.085. The cutoff date is September 1. If your child turns 6 after September 1, compulsory attendance starts the following school year.

Kindergarten is not required in Texas. Neither is pre-K. If your child is 4 or 5, there is no rush. You have time to explore curricula and find your approach before anything is mandatory.

Texas does have a wider compulsory range than many states. Some states end the requirement at 16 or 17. Texas continues until 19, unless your child earns a diploma or GED. A child who is at least 17 can also be exempt with a high school equivalency certificate.

This is one of the simplest states to start homeschooling. Here is what to do:

Step 1: Decide. You are not asking — you are telling. There is no application. No approval process. No waiting period. Your decision is effective right away.

Step 2: Choose your curriculum. Cover five subjects: reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship. Your curriculum must be "bona fide" — real teaching has to actually happen. A family using any structured curriculum is clearly fine. Project-based learning or unschooling with written components also works. What would not work is declaring yourself a homeschool while not actually teaching. You need "visual form" materials — books, workbooks, or written materials. Nearly every curriculum meets this standard. There is no state-approved list and no approval process. Pick what fits your family and get started.

Step 3: Send a withdrawal letter (if your child is in school). If your child is currently enrolled, send a short letter to the principal or attendance office. You can also copy the superintendent. This is not legally required, but skipping it is the most common mistake Texas homeschool families make.

Here is why: in 2015, Texas decriminalized truancy for students (HB 2398). But parents can still face charges under Tex. Educ. Code Section 25.093 for "failure to require child to attend school." A withdrawal letter stops the school from marking your child absent and starting that process.

Write a letter that includes these four things: (1) your name and contact info, (2) your child's name, date of birth, and last grade attended, (3) the date of withdrawal, and (4) this sentence: "My child is being withdrawn to attend a private school in accordance with Tex. Educ. Code Section 25.086(a)(1)." That is all you need. Do not include curriculum details or testing plans. Send it by certified mail or email with read receipt so you have proof of delivery.

Step 4: Start teaching. That is it. No form to file. No office to call. No approval to wait for. You are ready.

Texas requires five subjects: reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship. These come from Section 25.086(a)(1) and the Leeper decision.

"Good citizenship" sounds vague, and it is — intentionally. It covers civic knowledge, understanding of government and the Constitution, ethical behavior, and respect for the law. Any curriculum with social studies, civics, or character education satisfies this. The ambiguity has never been a practical enforcement issue.

Texas does not require science, history, PE, health, fine arts, or foreign language. For college-bound students, broader coverage helps with admissions. But it is not a legal requirement.

You can use any curriculum you want. Commercial, religious, secular, self-designed — all fine. There is no state-approved list. Unschooling works as long as the five subjects are addressed and you use some written materials. The "visual form" requirement just means text-based resources, not screens.

Start keeping records from day one. Texas has no recordkeeping mandates, but here is a mistake we see families make: they enjoy the freedom, then hit a wall at college application time. Keep these four things from the start: (1) a transcript listing courses and grades by year, (2) course descriptions for each subject, (3) samples of your child's best work, and (4) any standardized test scores if you choose to test. Texas state law requires public universities to treat homeschool graduates by the same standards as public school graduates — but you need documentation to back up your application.

Know your rights if a district contacts you. Some districts send letters demanding curriculum proof or teacher qualifications. Under Leeper, they have no authority to make those demands. Respond in writing, citing Leeper v. Arlington ISD, 893 S.W.2d 432 (Tex. 1994), and decline to provide the information. The Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) at thsc.org provides legal guidance and can help if a district oversteps.

The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) are worth understanding. In 2025, Texas passed SB 2, creating an ESA program. Here is a detail most guides miss: homeschool families receive up to $2,000 per year — not the $10,474 that goes to private school students. The $2,000 cap applies to all homeschool students, including those with disabilities. (The $30,000 figure you may see elsewhere applies only to students with disabilities enrolled at approved private schools — not homeschoolers.) The funds cover approved materials and services through the Odyssey platform with quarterly disbursements. The application window for 2026-2027 ran February 4 through March 17 at educationfreedom.texas.gov. Important: accepting ESA funds adds testing and reporting requirements that non-ESA homeschoolers do not have. If you value simplicity, you can skip the funds and stay under baseline Section 25.086(a)(1) rules.

Your child can play school sports. SB 401 (2025) opened public school extracurricular access to homeschool students — including sports and other activities. All districts participate by default unless the school board votes to opt out by September 1 each year. Contact your local school's athletic director to find out how to sign up. TAPPS and TORCH also offer competitive opportunities outside the public school system.

Dual enrollment is available. Homeschool students can take dual credit courses at community colleges. Eligibility and TSI (Texas Success Initiative) requirements vary. Contact your local community college admissions office to ask about enrollment for homeschool students.

Your diploma counts. You issue your child's high school diploma as a private school. Texas law bars discrimination against homeschool graduates in college admissions at state institutions. You create the transcript. No state template exists.

Umbrella schools are optional, not required. Some families join umbrella schools (cover schools) for help with transcripts and diplomas. This is a practical choice, not a legal requirement. You still operate under Section 25.086(a)(1) either way.