Homeschooling in Texas
Maximum freedom with the 'Bona Fide' standard
Texas is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the U.S. Homeschools are legally considered private schools. There is no requirement to register with the state, no mandatory testing, and no attendance reporting.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
5
required
Notification
No
none
Key Requirements at a Glance
- No registration with the state required
- No standardized testing required
- Must use a written/visual curriculum (not just oral)
- Must cover 5 basic subjects
Legal Framework
Texas homeschooling law is established by the *Leeper v. Arlington ISD* court decision.
Required Subjects
Per the Leeper v. Arlington ISD decision, curriculum must be in a visual format (books, workbooks, video). It CANNOT be 100% auditory. Science and History are NOT explicitly mandated by Leeper, though Good Citizenship covers civics/government.
Reading
Spelling
Grammar
Mathematics
Good Citizenship
Covers civics and government
Filing Requirements
**NO notification required** (Leeper v. Arlington ISD). Homeschools are private schools in TX. Three requirements: (1) Bona fide instruction, (2) Visual curriculum (books/video - not 100% auditory), (3) Cover 5 subjects: Reading, Spelling, Grammar, Math, Good Citizenship. NO testing, NO hours, NO attendance records. Send withdrawal letter if leaving public school. **Colleges**: TX law requires equal treatment of homeschool graduates. Sports: 'Tim Tebow' (UIL) is district discretionary.
How to Get Started
- 1
Withdraw
If your child is enrolled in public school, send a letter of withdrawal to the principal and registrar. Do not just stop showing up.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Maximum freedom
- ✓No paperwork
- ✓No testing
Cons
- •No state funding
- •Parents solely responsible for diploma/transcripts
Sports & Activities
"Tim Tebow Law" (UIL access) allows homeschoolers to play sports at public schools in some districts, but it is up to the district.
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Free portfolio and compliance tracker tailored to Texas's requirements. Log learning, track hours, and generate reports, all in one place.
Last updated: 2025-12-17 · TX homeschool law guide