Homeschooling in Connecticut

Connecticut is currently one of the lowest-regulation homeschool states in the country — the only requirement under state law (CGS §10-184) is that parents instruct their children in basic subjects. No registration, no testing, no portfolio review. IMPORTANT 2026 UPDATE: On April 24, 2026, the Connecticut House of Representatives passed a bill that would create the state's FIRST formal homeschool oversight framework, including a notification requirement and an annual demonstration of instruction. The bill has not yet become law — it must still pass the Senate and be signed by the Governor. Connecticut homeschool families should monitor this legislation closely.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: One pathway — home instruction under Connecticut General Statute §10-184 ('Duties of Parents').

Notification: No notification required by statute. The State Board of Education has 'Suggested Procedures' (the C-14 Guidelines) recommending a Notice of Intent (NOI), but this is voluntary..

Instructional time: No specific days or hours required.

Required subjects: Per CGS §10-184: reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, U.S. history, and citizenship (including the study of town, state, and federal governments). Science is recommended but not legally required..

Testing and evaluation: No state-mandated standardized testing for homeschoolers.

What Connecticut families need to know

Statute vs. policy: Connecticut General Statute §10-184 is the only law governing home education. The State Board of Education has 'Suggested Procedures' (the C-4/C-14 Guidelines, originally adopted 1990, revised 1994) recommending a Notice of Intent and annual portfolio review — but these are POLICY, not statute, and are NOT legally binding.

Notice of Intent (NOI): voluntary. The C-14 Guidelines recommend filing within 10 days of starting a home instruction program. Many Connecticut homeschool families file an NOI to satisfy any inquiry about 'equivalent instruction' and avoid truancy disputes. Form is available at the State Department of Education website.

Portfolio Review: voluntary. The C-14 Guidelines recommend an annual review at the end of each school year. The review only determines if instruction in required subjects was given — it does NOT evaluate academic achievement, grade level performance, or curriculum quality. Parents may decline a portfolio review even if they filed an NOI.

Letter of Withdrawal: REQUIRED if your child is currently enrolled in a Connecticut public school. Send a withdrawal letter to the school district superintendent (not the Board of Education) by certified mail or hand delivery. This is critical to avoid truancy proceedings.

Required subjects (CGS §10-184): reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, U.S. history, and citizenship including study of town, state, and federal government. Science is commonly taught but not specifically named in the statute.

**APRIL 2026 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE**: On April 24, 2026, the Connecticut House passed a bill that would establish the state's first formal homeschool oversight law. Under the bill: parents would be required to notify the school district whether their child will attend public school, private school, or be educated at home; homeschool families would be required to provide an annual 'demonstration of instruction' (which could include a portfolio of student work, test results, or other academic records). The bill has not yet become law — it must pass the Senate and be signed by the Governor. ALL CONNECTICUT HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES SHOULD MONITOR THIS LEGISLATION CLOSELY through the CT Homeschool Network and TEACH CT.

Sports and extracurriculars: the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) generally does NOT allow homeschool students to participate in public school athletics. Local districts may set their own policies for non-CIAC activities.

Special education: homeschool students are not entitled to special education services unless enrolled in public school.

Compulsory attendance: ages 5 through 18. Parents may opt-out enrollment for ages 5-6 by appearing personally at the school district office. Students 17+ may withdraw with their parent's consent.

Always verify current requirements with the Connecticut State Department of Education before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

Connecticut recognizes parent-issued homeschool diplomas. The University of Connecticut and other Connecticut colleges accept homeschool transcripts. Connecticut homeschool graduates may also pursue the GED. Note: because of the limited statutory framework, Connecticut homeschool diplomas may carry less institutional weight than those from states with formal homeschool programs — documentation of curriculum, hours, and assessment is important for college and employment applications.

Getting started in Connecticut

If you are new to homeschooling in Connecticut, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the Connecticut State Department of Education website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. Connecticut offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. Connecticut has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

Connecticut homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for Connecticut homeschool families:

• Connecticut Homeschool Network (CHN) — Inclusive statewide homeschool organization with detailed legal information — cthomeschoolnetwork.org
• The Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers in Connecticut (TEACH CT) — Statewide Christian organization — teachct.org
• HSLDA Connecticut — Legal defense and member support

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "Connecticut homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting Connecticut's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • Connecticut State Guide