Non-Public School Law (Homeschool)

In Alabama the law says a child of compulsory school age must be enrolled in an educational program.

You have 2 routes to achieve this

1) public school- regular brick & mortar, charter, virtual etc.. al ex; connections academy & k12 are public school at home programs and are not homeschool programs.

2) non public school which encompasses private schools, church schools, tutors and homeschool education programs.

Alabama doesn’t regulate non-public schools. Act 2014-245, Autonomy of Non Public schools. Often referred to as the private school law.

There are zero requirements

As an independent homeschooler, you don’t tell or report anything to anyone- no letters of intent, number of days, curriculum choices, educational plans, portfolios etc. zero, zip, nada.

There is nothing to report & no one to report it to. In fact, there isn’t one person in this state, or any subdivisions there of -ex: local public schools, truant officers, etc- in a paid position that is tasked with overseeing the non-public school education programs are in compliance with state law. We operate autonomously as per the law.

You can’t be taken to “court” for non compliance if there’s nothing to comply with.

Ex: truancy. Truancy officers can’t enforce truancy laws of public schools in non public schools- example 180 days of attendance because that isn’t a requirement under the non public school law.

You could get a visit from truancy if you didn’t formally withdraw from public school. So, if you’re in one system- ie public and you want to transfer to homeschool (non-public), you must withdraw from the public school system.

Local schools & school districts are prohibited from making their own rules & regulations up for any non-public school such as homeschooling or private schools.  It’s prohibited in Act 2014-245.  Ex: they can’t tell you you have to tell them the curriculum you use, that you have to report attendance or that you are required to have a cover school to withdraw or report your homeschooling each year via a letter of intent.  

Exceptions do exist- that’s for brick & mortar schools who accept public funds such as taking part in the child nutrition program or any soon to be school choice programs - when you accept money from the government, you’re open to being regulated in some capacity to be in “compliance” with the funding guidelines & rules.

Ref: state website: Legislative Acts | Alabama Secretary of State https://arc-sos.state.al.us/cgi/actdetail.mbr/detail?page=act&year=2014&act=245

Ref education superintendent clarifications: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q556m6dmrzl30ss/Private%20School%20Law%20Bullets.pdf?dl=0

Res Novae Academy is a private school.  We do not report anything to anyone at any time.  This means we do not report attendance or enrollment as a private school student to any school or school district.  State law does not require this.  It is voluntary.