Illinois · leaving public school

How to withdraw your child from public school and homeschool in Illinois

Illinois does not ask you to file a form to begin, but telling the school in writing is still the clean way to leave. Here is what we found, and a letter you can fill in.

The short version

The law Illinois families homeschool under: Compulsory attendance with private school exemption (home education) (105 ILCS 5/26-1 and 5/27-1)
What to file: Nothing is required by law. ISBE says it no longer collects homeschool forms and requires no forms, licenses or approval; a Regional Office of Education or Chicago Public Schools may offer a voluntary form. A 2025 bill (HB 2827) to require annual notice did not pass, with its last action on 4/11/2025.
Send it to: The child's current school, such as the principal. ISBE does not name a title, and a voluntary copy may go to the Regional Office of Education.
When: No deadline in the statute. ISBE says a family may begin once the program is organized and the child is withdrawn from the current school.

Step by step

Step 1. Know what Illinois requires to start
Nothing is required by law. ISBE says it no longer collects homeschool forms and requires no forms, licenses or approval; a Regional Office of Education or Chicago Public Schools may offer a voluntary form. A 2025 bill (HB 2827) to require annual notice did not pass, with its last action on 4/11/2025.
Step 2. Leave the school the right way
ISBE recommends telling the child's current school, preferably in writing, that the child is leaving to homeschool, so the child is not marked absent or truant; the school may have a withdrawal form. The state sets no exit meeting or waiting period in the pages we read.
Step 3. Watch the deadlines
No deadline in the statute. ISBE says a family may begin once the program is organized and the child is withdrawn from the current school.
Step 4. Ask for your child’s records
Under the Illinois School Student Records Act (105 ILCS 10/5), a parent may inspect and copy the child's permanent and temporary records, with a response within 10 business days. FERPA gives a parent the right to inspect and request a copy of the child's education records.
Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan
ISBE says a homeschooled child is treated as a private school student with no entitlement to an IEP, though the district may offer an Individual Services Plan and part-time public school attendance can provide IEP services. Federal rule 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4) lets a parent revoke consent to special education services in writing, which ends the services after the district gives prior written notice.

Before you pull your child out

School ages and attendance in Illinois

105 ILCS 5/26-1 covers ages 6 (on or before September 1) through 17, with an exemption for children in private schools teaching the branches taught in public schools in English. Under 105 ILCS 5/26-10, knowingly and willfully permitting truancy after notice is a Class C misdemeanor, and ISBE says an unreported withdrawal may be treated as truancy.

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for Illinois: it goes to your child's current school to withdraw, and the state filing described above is a separate step. Check it against the state office before you send it.

Your nameYour addressChild's full nameDate of birthGradeCurrent schoolHome education startsToday's date

Everything you type stays in this page. It is never sent to us or saved. Put the recipient's name and address on the To line before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The principal of my child's current school [name and address]

Re: Withdrawal from school and home education, [child's full name]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am the parent of [child's full name], born [date of birth], who is currently enrolled in grade [grade] at [name of current school]. Please accept this letter as notice that I am withdrawing my child from [name of current school], effective [start date]. I will be providing a home education program under 105 ILCS 5/26-1 and 5/27-1.

I also request a copy of my child's education records, including the cumulative file, attendance and any testing records. Please send them to the address below.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]

Who to ask in Illinois

Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling ([email protected], 217-785-9998), last checked October 2026.

Sources we read

A plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the current rules with the state office before you send anything.

Once you have left, what do you teach?

Letters & Devotion is a Christian K-12 homeschool curriculum with lessons that are never timed. All 84 courses are readable in full with no account and no card, and the first 30 days are free.

Start 30 days free Homeschooling after public school →

$29 a month or $290 a year for every child. Cancel anytime, in one click.

Questions

Do I have to file anything to homeschool in Illinois?

Nothing is required by law. ISBE says it no longer collects homeschool forms and requires no forms, licenses or approval; a Regional Office of Education or Chicago Public Schools may offer a voluntary form. A 2025 bill (HB 2827) to require annual notice did not pass, with its last action on 4/11/2025.

Can I take my child out of public school in the middle of the year in Illinois?

ISBE recommends telling the child's current school, preferably in writing, that the child is leaving to homeschool, so the child is not marked absent or truant; the school may have a withdrawal form. The state sets no exit meeting or waiting period in the pages we read.

Who do I send the letter to in Illinois?

The child's current school, such as the principal. ISBE does not name a title, and a voluntary copy may go to the Regional Office of Education.

What does it cost?

This page and the letter are free. If you choose Letters & Devotion for lessons, it is $29 a month or $290 a year for every child, and the first 30 days are free with no card.

Keep reading