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

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what Iowa requires to start

   Iowa has three paths. Independent private instruction (IPI) and competent private instruction (CPI) Option 2 with no reporting need no filing, and the Department of Education handbook says a family leaving a school is not required to notify the district. CPI Option 1 (licensed practitioner), and CPI Option 2 with dual enrollment or optional reporting, require Form A filed with the resident school district; Iowa Code 299.4 lists the report contents.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   For IPI and CPI with no reporting, the handbook says the family is not required to notify the district but encourages telling it the student will be homeschooled, the pathway chosen and the last day of attendance. Families filing Form A do so with the resident district, and the handbook says a family not in compliance with CPI law is subject to truancy and compulsory attendance law (Iowa Code 299.1 and 299.8). Iowa sources we read do not describe an exit meeting or waiting period.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   Form A is due by September 1, or within 14 calendar days of removing the student from an accredited school, completed as fully as possible and fully completed within 30 calendar days (handbook, citing Iowa Administrative Code 281-31.2(2)). A home school assistance program request is due September 15, or within 14 calendar days of withdrawing. CPI runs at least 148 days a year, at least 37 per quarter. 2026 HF 2754 removed the four unrelated student cap on IPI and added Iowa Code 299A.13 and 299A.14 on parent-issued diplomas and verification documents.

4. Step 4. Ask for your child’s records

   Iowa Code 299A.11 addresses confidentiality of state private instruction records, and the Department of Education says it does not issue diplomas or verify completion for homeschool families. Federal FERPA (34 CFR 99.10) gives a parent the right to inspect and review, and to request a copy of, the child's education records.

5. Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

   Iowa Code 299A.9 and Form A provide that a student with an IEP may be homeschooled and may dual enroll to receive special education services, with Form A asking for consent to evaluation or re-evaluation. Under the federal rule 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4), if a parent revokes consent in writing for continued special education and related services, the school may not keep providing them and must give prior written notice before stopping.

Before you pull your child out

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for Iowa: 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.

[today's date]

To: The superintendent of my resident school district [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 Iowa Code ch. 299A and 299.1, 299.1A, 299.4.

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 Iowa

Iowa Department of Education, Homeschooling, last checked October 2026.

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.

Questions