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

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what Kansas requires to start

   The official custodian of a non-accredited private school (a homeschool) registers the school's name and address with the State Board of Education under K.S.A. 72-4346, using the KSDE online registration form. The KSDE fact sheet (revised 2/12/2024) says registration also lists the official custodian of records, has no fee, and does not mean the school is approved.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   The KSDE fact sheet says that when a student transfers to a non-accredited private school, the parent or guardian must notify the school previously attended that the student is changing schools. It also says a student who simply stops coming to school is reported by the school as truant. Registration with KSDE does not itself notify the old school.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   The statute and fact sheet we read give no filing deadline or annual renewal for registration; not found in primary sources. K.S.A. 72-3121 treats a child not enrolled in a public or nonpublic school as not attending. The fact sheet says classes should run a period substantially equivalent to public schools, at least 186 days of 6 hours, or 1,116 hours, for grades 1 to 11.

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

   K.S.A. 72-4347 provides that registration lets a receiving school request the student's records from the custodian, and the KSDE fact sheet advises keeping accurate progress records. 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

   Kansas sources we read do not describe a state-specific IEP or 504 step on withdrawal; not found in primary sources. 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.

   Less certain: the sources on this were thin or in conflict. Confirm with the state office before relying on it.

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 Kansas: 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 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 K.S.A. 72-4345 to 72-4347.

I am registering my home school as a non-accredited private school with the Kansas State Board of Education.

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 Kansas

Kansas State Department of Education, Homeschool questions, 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