Overview: Homeschooling Law in Florida
Must file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the county school district each year by August 1. F.S. §1002.41. Portfolio of records required; county superintendent may request a portfolio review. Must maintain a portfolio of educational materials.
Graduation Credit Requirements
The commonly accepted minimum for a competitive college-prep transcript from Florida is 24 Carnegie units. However, because Florida homeschools set their own graduation standards (except where state law specifies otherwise), you may set a higher bar.
Recommended distribution for a college-bound student:
| Subject | Minimum Credits | College-Prep Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| English / Language Arts | 4.0 | 4.0 (including composition) |
| Mathematics | 3.0 | 4.0 (through pre-calculus) |
| Science | 2.0–3.0 | 3.0–4.0 (at least 2 with lab) |
| History / Social Studies | 3.0 | 3.0–4.0 |
| Foreign Language | 0–2.0 | 2.0–3.0 (same language) |
| Fine Arts | 0–1.0 | 1.0 |
| PE / Health | 0.5–1.0 | 1.0 |
| Electives | Varies | 4.0–6.0 |
Notarization
Not required by state law. However, Bright Futures Scholarship and some dual enrollment programs may request it. Call ahead.
Dual Enrollment
Florida has one of the strongest dual enrollment programs in the country. Homeschool students enrolled under F.S. §1002.41 may dual enroll at Florida public colleges and universities. The Florida Virtual School also offers dual enrollment options. Requires Notice of Intent, transcript, and placement scores.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Bright Futures Scholarship: One of Florida's largest merit scholarship programs. Homeschool graduates are eligible. Requires GPA (3.0+ for Florida Medallion; 3.5+ for Academic Scholars), SAT/ACT scores, and community service hours. Apply through the Florida Department of Education.
Key Resources for Florida Homeschoolers
- Florida Department of Education — for official homeschool policy documents
- Home School Legal Defense Association (FL chapter) — hslda.org for legal questions
- What to include on a homeschool transcript
- Free GPA calculator
- Blank transcript template (PDF)