Alabama Homeschool High School Guide

Parent-issued diploma recognized. Under the church school/umbrella pathway, the umbrella school typically issues the diploma. Families not affiliated with a diploma-issuing umbrella school may create their own diploma.

Parent-created. Umbrella schools may provide transcripts. No state template.

Eligibility

ACT scores, enrollment verification from umbrella school, institutional admissions criteria

How to enroll

Contact individual community colleges/universities

Cost

Varies by institution

AHSAA Tim Tebow Rule (2016)

What's covered

Sports

Eligibility

Must enroll at zoned public school within first 20 days of semester; same academic/eligibility standards as traditional students

AHSAA Bylaw Amendment (2016); Ala. Code 16-6D-9 (CHOOSE Act — ESA participants maintain athletic eligibility)

Alabama offers 3 different ways to homeschool. High school options like dual enrollment and sports access may vary by pathway.

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  Church School / Cover School / Umbrella School : You enroll with an umbrella school (also called a church school or cover school), which handles all state reporting on your behalf. Alabama does not mandate specific subjects, hours, or testing for families under this pathway — your umbrella school may set its own policies. This is by far the most popular homeschool pathway in Alabama.
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  Private Tutor : You hire a tutor who holds a valid Alabama teaching certificate to provide instruction at least 3 hours per day for 140 days per year. The tutor files a written statement with the local superintendent and must cover the same subjects taught in public schools. This pathway is rarely used because of the teaching certificate requirement.
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  Private School : You operate your home as a private school, filing annual enrollment reports with the Alabama State Department of Education and complying with fire, health, and safety codes. You must teach state-prescribed subjects and operate for approximately 180 days per year. This pathway involves more administrative overhead than the umbrella school option and is uncommon for individual families.

Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Alabama