Connecticut is low-regulation in practice: the law requires equivalent instruction in certain subjects, while the state's notice-of-intent and portfolio-review procedures are guidance that most families treat as voluntary.
Homeschooling is legal in Connecticut, and in day-to-day practice it is one of the lower-regulation states in New England. The statute requires parents to provide instruction equivalent to public school in certain subjects, but it does not spell out registration, testing, or reporting.
Connecticut's education department has long-standing suggested procedures — filing a notice of intent with your district and attending an annual portfolio review — but these are guidance, not law, and many Connecticut homeschoolers do not file. Some districts still ask; knowing the difference between required and suggested keeps conversations calm.
The law expects instruction in reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, and United States history, plus citizenship. How you cover them is up to you — there is no curriculum approval.
The state's suggested procedure includes a notice of intent to your district and an annual portfolio review, but Connecticut courts and practice treat these as voluntary. If your child is being withdrawn from public school, put the withdrawal in writing so enrollment ends cleanly.
No standardized testing is required. Keep your own attendance notes, subject coverage, and work samples — a simple portfolio is your best answer to any question a district ever raises.
If your child is enrolled in school, send a written withdrawal letter and keep a copy.
Decide whether you will file the suggested notice of intent — it is optional, but know your district's posture either way.
Plan coverage of Connecticut's named subjects: reading, writing, spelling, grammar, geography, arithmetic, U.S. history, and citizenship.
Start a light portfolio per child: attendance, materials used, and periodic work samples.
Choose a curriculum that covers the required subjects and produces a clean record of progress, so an optional portfolio is effortless if you ever want one.
Whatever Connecticut asks for — attendance, subject coverage, progress evidence, transcripts — Cullinan Academy tracks it automatically as your kids learn: verified mastery records, time-on-task, printable transcripts with GPA, and state report templates. No spreadsheet required.
The notice is part of the state's suggested procedures, not a statutory requirement. Many families file, many do not. Withdrawing a currently enrolled child in writing is the step you should not skip.
No. Connecticut does not require homeschooled students to take standardized tests.
Reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, and U.S. history, along with citizenship. There is no state curriculum or approval process.
Stay polite and informed: the procedures are guidance. Keeping a simple portfolio and written records usually resolves questions quickly.
Parents issue the homeschool diploma and transcript. Connecticut homeschool graduates regularly move on to college — keep good high school records.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Homeschool law changes, and districts sometimes apply it differently. Verify current requirements with your state's department of education or a local homeschool association before filing anything. Content last reviewed 2026-07.