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

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what Kentucky requires to start

   The Kentucky Department of Education (May 2026 packet) says a homeschool operates as a private school and the parent sends a letter of intent to the local superintendent, which the district must accept. The statute text itself does not describe the letter, so this rests on KDE guidance. There is no approval step and no official form; the KDE packet has a sample letter.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   KDE guidance says the letter of intent is sent within two weeks of withdrawing the child from public school. It does not describe a separate withdrawal form, exit meeting or waiting period. Telling the current school in writing is a courtesy, not stated as a requirement.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   KDE says to send the letter within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing from public school, and to resubmit it annually. KRS 159.030 was last amended June 29, 2023, and 159.040 in 1996.

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

   Under FERPA (34 CFR 99.10) a parent may inspect and request a copy of the child's education records, and the school must comply within 45 days of the request. KDE says attendance (digital or paper) and scholarship records are kept by the homeschool and need not be sent to KDE or the district.

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

   Under federal rule 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4), a parent may revoke consent to special education services in writing; the district must then stop the services after giving prior written notice, and does not have to hold an IEP meeting or seek a due process hearing to override it. No Kentucky-specific withdrawal rule was found in primary sources.

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 Kentucky: the items Kentucky asks to be included are listed in it. Check it against the state office before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The superintendent of the local school district [name and address]

Re: Notice of intent to home school, [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]. Under KRS 159.030, I am notifying you that I will be providing a home education program for my child beginning [start date].

Kentucky asks that this notice include the following (complete or confirm each one):
- Name of each child [fill in]
- Age of each child [fill in]
- Home address [fill in]
- Homeschool name, parents or teachers, and school address (KDE sample letter lists these) [fill in]

Please also treat this letter as my notice that my child is withdrawn from [name of current school] effective [start date].

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 Kentucky

KDE Homeschool Information Packet, 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