How to Homeschool in Texas (2025 Guide)
Learn Texas homeschooling laws, graduation rules, testing, and the brand-new Texas Education Savings Account (ESA) program in one concise guide.
Disclaimer: Homeschool regulations can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the Texas Education Agency’s official website — tea.texas.gov — and, for Education Savings Account details, the Texas Comptroller’s ESA page at comptroller.texas.gov/programs/education/esa. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Texas Homeschooling Laws & Options
Quick snapshot
| Requirement | Texas Rule |
|---|---|
| Notice to the state/district | None. You do not have to register or file paperwork unless your child is currently enrolled in a public school—then you simply send a withdrawal letter or “letter of assurance.” |
| Parent qualifications | No teaching-certificate or minimum-education requirement. |
| Required subjects | Reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship. |
| Record-keeping | Not mandated, but advocates suggest keeping a portfolio, curriculum list, and any test results for college or re-entry into public school. |
| Standardized testing | Not required (details below). |
Legal basis
Texas homeschools are classified as private schools under the 1994 Leeper Texas Supreme Court decision, which exempts them from the compulsory-attendance law as long as the five basic subjects are taught with a bona-fide, visual curriculum.
Your structural options
| Option | What it means | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Homeschool (private-school model) | Parent sets calendar, curriculum, and issues transcripts/diploma. No state oversight beyond the Leeper criteria. | Families who value maximum flexibility and minimal regulation. |
| Statewide Public Virtual Charter | Full-time enrollment in a TEA-approved online charter (e.g., Texas Virtual Academy). Not legally “homeschool,” so public-school attendance rules and STAAR testing apply. | Families wanting tuition-free curriculum plus teacher support while remaining in the public system. |
Texas High-School Graduation & Diploma Requirements
Texas does not issue homeschool diplomas. Parents act as the administrators of a private school and decide when graduation requirements are met. Most families follow one of two tracks:
- Parent-designed plan – Align credits with the teen’s goals (trade, military, college, entrepreneurship).
- Texas Foundation High School Program (26-credit template) – Mirrors public-school rigor for easier college admissions:
- 4 credits English
- 4 credits Math (Alg I, Geometry, Alg II + advanced)
- 4 credits Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.)
- 4 credits Social Studies (World Hist., World Geo., U.S. Hist., ½ Govt., ½ Econ.)
- 2 credits Foreign Language
- 1 credit Fine Arts
- 1 credit PE
- 0.5 credit Speech
- 5.5 credits electives
Parents create a transcript, sign a diploma, and—if college-bound—attach course descriptions and a notarized diploma copy. Texas colleges and workforce boards accept parent-issued diplomas as proof of secondary completion.
Standardized Test Requirements for Texas Homeschoolers
There are none. Texas law neither requires annual achievement tests nor the public-school STAAR exam for independent homeschoolers.
Why you might still test
- Benchmark progress (IOWA, Stanford, CLT 10)
- College entrance exams (PSAT 8/9, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT)
- Eligibility for dual-credit or NCAA athletics
Public-school re-entry: Local districts may give placement tests or require credit-by-exam to validate homeschool coursework.
Using an ESA for Homeschool Financial Aid in Texas
The new Texas Education Savings Account (SB 2, 2025)
| Launch | 2026-27 school year (program rules finalized by May 15 2026) |
|---|---|
| Funding | About $10,000 per K-12 student in private school; up to $2,000 per year for homeschoolers. |
| Eligible expenses for homeschoolers | Curricula, tutoring, online courses, testing fees, therapies, technology, extracurricular fees (approved vendor list forthcoming). |
| Strings attached | ESA recipients must submit nationally norm-referenced test scores each year and comply with purchase-receipt audits. Accepting ESA funds voluntarily subjects your homeschool to these accountability measures. |
Bottom line:
Texas finally offers direct financial help, but only families comfortable with annual testing and spending scrutiny should opt in. If you prefer full autonomy, you can still homeschool 100 % privately—no ESA, no state oversight.
Key Takeaways
- Freedom first: Texas remains one of the least-regulated states for homeschooling.
- Minimal paperwork: No registration; just teach the five required subjects.
- Parent-issued diploma: You control graduation—use the 26-credit public template for college alignment.
- Testing optional—unless you take ESA money.
- ESA opens in 2026: Up to $2 k/year for homeschool expenses, but with testing and audits.
