So you’re thinking about homeschooling in Florida. Maybe you’ve watched your kid come home from school exhausted and overwhelmed. Maybe you’ve seen the spark in their eyes when they’re exploring outside, and you want more of that. Or maybe you just have this gut feeling that there’s a different way — a slower, more intentional way — to raise and educate your children.
I get it. I’ve been there. And I’m here to tell you: you can absolutely do this.
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Starting our homeschool journey a few years ago was one of the best decisions our family ever made. Now our days include nature walks, backyard chicken chores, real books, and so much less rushing. If you’re in Florida and wondering how to actually get started, let me walk you through it — step by step, the way I wish someone had explained it to me.
Step 1: Understand Florida’s Homeschool Options
Florida is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country, which is such a blessing. You have a few different legal options for homeschooling here:
Option A: File a Letter of Intent with Your School District
This is the most common route, and it’s what we do. You simply notify your county superintendent that you intend to establish a home education program. That’s it. No permission needed — just notification.
You’ll need to:
- Send a letter of intent within 30 days of beginning your homeschool
- Maintain a portfolio of your child’s work samples and records
- Have an annual evaluation done (more on that below)
Option B: Register with a Private Umbrella School
Some families prefer to register with a private covering school (sometimes called an umbrella school). This option has fewer requirements — no annual evaluation needed — but you do pay a fee to the umbrella school.
Option C: Use a Private Tutor
This option requires a certified teacher to provide instruction, so it’s less common for most homeschooling families.
For most of us, Option A is the straightforward choice. It gives you complete curriculum freedom while still being legally compliant.
Step 2: Submit Your Letter of Intent
Once you’ve decided to go the home education route, you’ll write a simple letter to your county school superintendent. Here in the Pensacola area, that means sending it to the Escambia County or Santa Rosa County school district office.
Your letter just needs to include:
- Your name and address
- Your child’s name and birthdate
- A statement that you’re establishing a home education program
That’s really it. No curriculum approval. No explaining your reasons. Just a notification. Florida trusts parents, and that’s something I’m genuinely grateful for.
Step 3: Choose Your Approach and Curriculum
This is the fun part — and also where new homeschoolers can feel overwhelmed. There are so many options out there.
Here’s my encouragement: you don’t have to figure it all out before you start. Start simple. Watch your kids. See what lights them up.
Our family follows a Charlotte Mason approach, which means we focus on living books, nature study, short lessons, and lots of time outdoors. It fits our lifestyle here in Northwest Florida perfectly — we’re blessed with mild winters, beautiful state parks, and a backyard full of things to explore.
Some curriculum resources we love:
- Rainbow Resource is my go-to for comparing curriculum options and finding deals
- Timberdoodle curates wonderful hands-on learning kits
- For math, we’ve had great success with Math-U-See — it’s manipulative-based and works so well for kids who need to see and touch to understand
Don’t feel pressured to buy everything at once. A library card, a good read-aloud, and time outside will take you far in those early days.
Step 4: Set Up Your Portfolio System
Florida requires you to keep a portfolio of educational materials and samples of your child’s work. This sounds more intimidating than it is.
I keep a simple binder for each child with:
- A reading log
- Samples of written work throughout the year
- Art projects and nature journal pages
- Any certificates or special projects
Speaking of nature journals — we use simple sketch journals and Faber-Castell watercolor pencils for our nature study. The kids draw birds, insects, leaves, whatever we find. These pages become beautiful portfolio pieces and meaningful keepsakes.
Step 5: Plan for Your Annual Evaluation
At the end of each school year, Florida requires an evaluation of your child’s progress. You have several options:
- A certified teacher reviews your portfolio
- Your child takes a standardized test
- A licensed psychologist evaluates progress
We’ve done both portfolio reviews and testing over the years. Many homeschool co-ops and evaluators here in Northwest Florida offer affordable reviews — just ask around in local homeschool groups.
Step 6: Look Into the Florida PEP Scholarship
Here’s something I wish I’d known about sooner: Florida offers the Personalized Education Program (PEP) scholarship for homeschool families. It provides funds that can be used for curriculum, educational materials, and even some extracurricular classes.
We use PEP funds for curriculum, art supplies, and enrichment classes. It’s been a huge blessing for our family, and the application process is fairly straightforward through the state’s scholarship portal.
If you’re just starting out, I’d encourage you to look into this early — there are enrollment windows, so timing matters.
Step 7: Find Your Community
Homeschooling doesn’t mean doing it alone. Here in the Pensacola area, there are wonderful co-ops, park days, and homeschool groups. Finding other families who share your values makes such a difference — for you and your kids.
Look for groups that match your style. Some are more academic; others are relaxed and play-focused. We’ve found our people through nature groups and Charlotte Mason circles, and those friendships have been such a gift.
Step 8: Just Begin
Here’s the truth nobody tells you: you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.
Read good books aloud. Go outside. Let your kids get dirty and curious. Watch them discover a bird they’ve never seen before and look it up together in a field guide. Let them help collect eggs from the chickens and learn responsibility in small, daily ways.
This is education. It doesn’t have to look like school.
You’ve Got This, Mama
I know the beginning feels overwhelming. There’s so much information out there, and it’s easy to second-guess yourself. But you know your kids better than anyone. You see what they need. Trust that.
Homeschooling in Florida is absolutely doable, and it might just be the best gift you give your family. More time together. More freedom. More space for the kind of childhood you remember — or the kind you always wished you’d had.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out. I’m cheering you on from my little corner of Northwest Florida, probably with a cup of coffee in hand and a dog at my feet while the kids argue about whose turn it is to fill the chicken waterer.
You’ve got this.
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