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A few steps
Whole house
Iowa gives you five ways to homeschool.Two of them file nothing and take no yearly check.The others file Form A with your school district by September 1.A district program sets September 15 instead.When a parent teaches and files, show progress each year by August 1.
Your year
The state says. Form A asks how many days you will teach.The state's handbook says at least 148 days a year.It also says at least 37 days in each quarter of the school year.The law itself sets that count for choice 4, where a licensed teacher supervises.Choices 1 and 2 file no Form A and report no days.
You do. 1.Plan at least 148 teaching days, with 37 in each quarter.2.Count each day you teach.3.Write the total on Form A.
The Lesson Planner makes this easy.
It counts the days and hours you teach, for each child. It prints the record for you.
The state says. Iowa gives you five choices:1.Independent Private Instruction. You file nothing up front.2.The opt-out. A parent teaches and files nothing.3.A parent teaches, files Form A, and shows progress each year.4.A teacher with an Iowa teaching license supervises, and you file Form A.5.Your district's Home School Assistance Program, with Form A.These steps follow choice 3.
You do. 1.Pick one choice.2.On choice 1 or 2, skip the Form A steps.3.On choice 3, 4 or 5, file Form A with your school district.
Where. Step 1 of Do the steps
The state says. Ages 6 to 16.A child who is 6 by September 15 must be taught that school year.The state's handbook says this about age 16:a child who turns 16 after September 15 finishes that school year.
You do. Check each child's age on September 15 every year.
The state says. Yes, on this choice. You file every year.The paper is Form A. It goes to your school district by September 1.It does not go to the state.Choices 1 and 2 file nothing.On choice 1, you answer only if the district or the state asks in writing.
You do. 1.Fill out Form A.2.Return it to your district office by September 1.3.Keep a copy.
Where. Step 1 of Do the steps
Proof of compliance makes this easy.
It prints one page that shows what you did, step by step, with the dates.
The state says. The law's list for a parent who teaches names no license or degree.Choice 4 adds a supervisor.That person has a current Iowa teaching license.
You do. Teach your own children.On choice 4, write the licensed teacher's details on Form A.
Where. Step 1 of Do the steps
The state says. The law names four subjects only for choice 1, Independent Private Instruction:mathreading and language artssciencesocial studiesOn this choice, your report lists two things:an outline of what you teachthe books you useThe yearly check covers reading, math and language arts.From 6th grade, it also covers science and social studies.
You do. Plan those subjects. The yearly check covers them.Use the Academic Planner to see what colleges want.
The Academic Planner makes this easy.
It lays out every subject, every year, for each child.
The state says. Each year, show that your child is making progress.You pick one of three ways:A test from the state's approved list.A review of your child's work by a teacher with an Iowa license.A transcript from an accredited online school.Finish it by May 31. Send the results to your district by August 1.The first one sets a starting point. A test taken before age 7 cannot be that starting point.Low results lead to a retest or a plan. Without one, the child must go to an accredited school the next year.Choices 1, 2, 4 and 5 do not require it.A district program on choice 5 may ask for its own test.
You do. 1.Pick a way.2.Finish it by May 31.3.Send the results to your district by August 1.The district gives the test at no cost if you ask.
The state says. The first time you file Form A, the law asks for proof of shots.Or send a signed state exemption form instead.An exemption is a paper that lets a child skip a shot.The state's health office says it is needed in these cases:choice 4choice 5dual enrollmentDual enrollment means your child also takes public school classes or activities.Choices 1 and 2 send nothing.
You do. 1.Get a copy of the shot record, or sign the state's exemption form.2.Attach it to your first Form A.3.Keep a copy at home.
Read it from the state
Every fact above comes from these pages.
Checked against Iowa's own law on October 20, 2026.
Something changed in Iowa? . You will hear it before we do.
This is a summary of public law, not legal advice. Requirements change, so always confirm with your state before you file.
Standardized Testing makes this easy.
It picks the right test and keeps each child's score.