Homeschooling in Connecticut: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Connecticut's homeschool freedom runs deep. The state requires no notification, no testing, and no curriculum approval. Search the Connecticut Department of Education website for homeschool guidance and you'll find their official page returns "No Results Found"—an unintentional but accurate summary of the state's involvement in home education.

Under Connecticut General Statutes §10-184, your only obligation is providing "equivalent instruction" in specified subjects. The state defines what areas to cover but provides no mechanism to verify you're doing it. No superintendent reviews your curriculum. No state official approves your methods. You make educational decisions for your children without government oversight.

The early compulsory age (5 years old) catches some families off guard—Connecticut starts earlier than most states and extends through 18. But don't let that timeline pressure you into formal academics for five-year-olds. Play-based learning, read-alouds, and exploration satisfy the law's intent. This guide covers what Connecticut requires, practical strategies for getting started, and how families have thrived under this framework for decades.

Connecticut Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Understanding Connecticut's Homeschool Framework

Connecticut operates under a simple principle: parents providing equivalent instruction at home satisfy compulsory education requirements. The key phrase in Connecticut General Statutes §10-184 is "equivalent instruction"—your homeschool must provide education equivalent to that offered in public schools, but the state doesn't actively verify this.

What "equivalent instruction" means in practice: You're teaching the same general subjects public schools teach—the basics of reading, writing, math, and civic education. You're not required to follow public school curricula, use specific textbooks, or match their pacing. "Equivalent" refers to coverage of subject areas, not methodology or materials.

The absence of oversight: Unlike states that require annual evaluations, portfolio reviews, or standardized testing, Connecticut has none of these. No school superintendent reviews your plans. No state official approves your curriculum. The responsibility—and the freedom—rests entirely with you.

This framework has been stable for decades. Connecticut families have homeschooled successfully under this system since well before the modern homeschool movement gained momentum. The state's hands-off approach reflects confidence in parents' capacity to direct their children's education.

Required Subjects in Connecticut

Connecticut law specifies subjects that home-educated students must be taught. While no one monitors compliance, understanding these requirements matters—particularly if your child might ever return to public school or face an educational inquiry.

Required subjects: - Reading - Writing - Spelling - English grammar - Geography - Arithmetic (mathematics) - United States history - Citizenship (including study of government)

For high school students: Connecticut historically referenced instruction in the duties of citizenship, good behavior, and similar character-focused areas. Most homeschool curricula naturally address these through history, government, and literature courses.

Local history: Connecticut mentions "local history" as a component, which can be satisfied through general U.S. history courses that include Connecticut's role or through dedicated state history resources.

What you won't find: Connecticut doesn't mandate specific hours, specific courses, or specific grade-level requirements. There's no state framework defining 10th-grade English versus 11th-grade English. You determine how to structure learning progression based on your child's development.

Practical approach: Use curriculum that covers these subject areas and you'll meet Connecticut's requirements. Most comprehensive homeschool programs—whether traditional textbooks, Charlotte Mason, classical education, or online courses—address all required subjects without special adaptation.

How to Start Homeschooling in Connecticut

Record-Keeping: Not Required, But Essential

Connecticut mandates no attendance records, no portfolios, no annual submissions. This freedom requires self-discipline—you must create the documentation structures that serve your family's needs.

Why maintain records anyway:

For educational planning: Tracking what you've taught helps you identify gaps, celebrate progress, and adjust your approach. Without external checkpoints, your own records provide the feedback loop you need.

For potential transitions: If your child ever re-enrolls in public or private school, attends college, or needs transcripts, documentation becomes essential. Connecticut schools may assess placement based on demonstrated learning—your records support appropriate placement.

For legal peace of mind: Though rare, questions occasionally arise. Complete records demonstrating consistent educational activity provide definitive protection. "We've been teaching reading, math, and history—here are our materials and samples" ends most inquiries.

Recommended documentation: - Daily or weekly attendance log (dates of instruction) - Curriculum record (subjects, materials, books) - Work samples (representative work from each subject, quarterly) - Reading list (major books completed) - Progress notes (grades, assessments, or narrative evaluations) - Activities log (co-ops, sports, music, volunteering)

High school records: From 9th grade forward, document with transcript creation in mind. Include course titles, credit hours, grades, and brief course descriptions. Colleges expect documentation regardless of state requirements.

Recommended Records to Maintain

The Early Start: Connecticut's Age 5 Requirement

Connecticut's compulsory education begins at age 5—earlier than most states. This catches some families off guard, particularly those who assumed formal education started at 6 or 7.

What this means practically: Your child must be receiving some form of education by age 5. But "education" for a five-year-old doesn't require worksheets and textbooks. Play-based learning, nature exploration, read-alouds, and developmental activities absolutely count.

Kindergarten-age homeschooling: Many Connecticut families adopt relaxed approaches for young learners: phonics through games, math concepts through cooking and counting, science through outdoor observation. You're not running a formal kindergarten classroom—you're nurturing a developing learner.

Extending to age 18: Connecticut also maintains compulsory education through age 18, longer than many states. This means your responsibility continues until high school completion or the child's 18th birthday. Most homeschool families simply continue through graduation—but you're legally responsible for either instruction or documentation of completion through 18.

Early graduation: If your student completes high school requirements before 18, you can issue a diploma and consider formal education complete. Document the completion thoroughly.

High School, Graduation & Beyond

Connecticut homeschool parents determine graduation requirements and issue diplomas. There's no state-recognized homeschool diploma, no mandated credits, and no exit examination. You set standards and certify completion.

Diploma authority: You create and issue the diploma. There's no application to file and no approval to seek. The diploma is valid because you, as the educational provider, issued it. Many families create formal certificates and hold graduation ceremonies.

Transcript creation: Colleges expect transcripts regardless of state requirements. Build yours to include: - Course titles (use conventional names: "American Literature," not "books we read") - Credits (typically 120-180 hours = 1 credit) - Letter grades or GPA - Cumulative GPA - Brief course descriptions (optional but helpful)

Connecticut college admission: State universities and community colleges accept homeschool applicants. Specific requirements vary—most want SAT/ACT scores, transcripts, and possibly writing samples or interviews. Contact admissions offices for current homeschool policies. Connecticut's community colleges are particularly homeschool-friendly entry points.

Dual enrollment: Connecticut allows homeschoolers to take community college courses during high school. This builds transcript credibility, earns transferable credits, and reduces future college costs. Research specific programs at community colleges near you.

NCAA eligibility: If your student pursues college athletics, work with NCAA Eligibility Center early. Homeschool transcripts require careful documentation—course descriptions, grading scales, and sometimes additional testing.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Connecticut does not require public schools to admit homeschoolers to athletic programs or extracurricular activities. Access is not guaranteed by state law, leaving decisions to individual districts.

Current situation: Most Connecticut public schools do not permit homeschoolers to participate in sports teams, band, drama, or other activities. Some districts make exceptions; most don't. If public school athletics matter to your family, research your specific district's policies before committing to homeschool.

CIAC (Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference) policies: The organization governing high school athletics in Connecticut has historically not included provisions for homeschool participation. Rule changes would require conference-wide policy shifts.

Alternative options: Connecticut's homeschool community has developed athletic alternatives: - Homeschool sports leagues (basketball, soccer, volleyball) - Private club sports (travel teams, gymnasiums, martial arts) - Community recreation programs - YMCA leagues and programs - Regional homeschool co-op sports

Legislative status: Some advocacy efforts continue pushing for "Tim Tebow" style legislation granting homeschoolers public school sports access. As of 2026, no such law has passed in Connecticut.

If sports access is essential: Some families choose to enroll part-time in public school specifically for athletics. This changes your homeschool status and may introduce additional requirements. Consult with your district before pursuing this option.

No State Funding Available

Connecticut provides no financial assistance for homeschooling families. There are no ESAs (Education Savings Accounts), tax credits, vouchers, or reimbursement programs for homeschool expenses.

What this means: All curriculum costs, materials, testing fees (if you choose to test), co-op fees, and extracurricular expenses come from family resources. Budget accordingly—homeschooling can be done frugally or expensively, but the costs are entirely yours.

Free and low-cost resources: While direct funding isn't available, homeschoolers can access: - Public libraries: Extensive resources, interlibrary loan, programs, and digital collections - Museum and attraction passes: Many libraries offer free or discounted passes - Open educational resources: Khan Academy, PBS Learning Media, and similar free platforms - Used curriculum marketplaces: Homeschool curriculum fairs, online exchanges, co-op sales - Nature and community resources: State parks, historical sites, civic organizations

District services: Unlike some states, Connecticut doesn't require districts to provide services to homeschoolers. Special education evaluations and services through schools generally require enrollment. Research your specific situation if your child has special needs.

Future outlook: School choice legislation sees occasional proposals in Connecticut, but the state has historically resisted voucher and ESA programs. Don't expect imminent changes to the funding landscape.

Special Considerations

Starting mid-year: Connecticut allows homeschooling to begin at any time. There's no application window or waiting period. Withdraw from school, begin teaching—that's the process.

Moving to Connecticut: No registration is required upon arrival. Begin homeschooling according to Connecticut's subject requirements. Maintain records from your previous state to demonstrate educational continuity.

Returning to public school: If your child re-enrolls, expect grade placement assessment. Schools typically evaluate based on demonstrated knowledge and records. Thorough documentation supports appropriate placement and prevents grade-level disputes.

Special needs students: Homeschooling students with disabilities requires no special permission in Connecticut. However, you won't automatically receive services previously provided through a public school IEP. Some families arrange private therapies; others find their homeschool approach naturally addresses learning differences more effectively than classroom settings.

Gifted students: Connecticut has no separate provisions for homeschooled gifted students—but this is irrelevant given the lack of oversight. You can accelerate, enrich, and customize freely. Many families choose homeschooling precisely because it allows gifted children to move at their own pace.

Part-time enrollment: Some Connecticut districts allow homeschoolers to take individual classes. Policies vary dramatically by district. This can provide access to specific subjects (advanced math, foreign languages) or activities. Contact your district to explore options.

The Bottom Line

Connecticut offers homeschool freedom that rivals any state in the nation. No notification, no testing, no approval process—just the expectation that you'll provide instruction in fundamental subjects. This autonomy reflects trust in parents' judgment and commitment.

The absence of external oversight makes internal organization essential. Create your own records, establish your own benchmarks, and maintain documentation that serves future needs. No one will remind you to track attendance or save work samples—but you'll be glad you did.

Your path forward is straightforward: select curriculum covering Connecticut's subject areas, begin teaching, and connect with the state's active homeschool community for support and enrichment. The legal barriers are minimal. The educational opportunity is substantial.