brought to you by Secular Liberty Homeschoolers
Yes you can homeschool in Lee County, Florida! And we think you and your student will be so glad you did.
The Lee County Home Education Program (HEP) is for students ages 6–16. It was created to help parents and guardians homeschool in Lee County while also meeting the school attendance law.
This is a simple one-page “Notice of Intent to Establish a Home Education Program” form — available in both English and Spanish — that asks for basic information. Once completed, you can email, fax or mail it to the Home Education Department as instructed on the form.
Every school is different, so you’ll need to ask how to complete the withdrawal paperwork and return any school property (e.g., books, uniforms, computer equipment) you may have.
Check out our article on how to choose a homeschooling curriculum, as well as these other helpful links to homeschool curriculum reviews and profiles of learning resources:
Note: If your student has a history of truancy, you’ll need to have an online portfolio review with the Home Education Department approximately 30 days after you establish your homeschool.
While there are no specific curriculum requirements (no list of things you must teach) to homeschool in Lee County, your child will need to have an annual evaluation at the end of the year. Here are the options for annual evaluations:
Your homeschool portfolio must be "a log of educational activities which is made contemporaneously with the instruction and which designates by title any reading materials used and samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student," per Section 1002.41, F.S. That may include:
That person doesn’t necessarily need to be employed as a teacher, but they must be a licensed Florida teacher holding a valid teacher’s certificate.
Make sure you hold on to your portfolio for the required two years in case the superintendent’s office wants to perform an inspection.
Yes, but hopefully that will change someday soon.
School districts aren’t required to provide instructional materials. Homeschool parents assume responsibility for educating their student(s) and providing the curriculum, educational materials and evaluations.
You can enroll your student(s) in part-time private school courses, online classes or correspondence courses. You can also hire a tutor, although there are special rules regarding tutors. If you wish to hire a tutor for homeschool instruction, use the contact information below to consult with the district directly.
Florida state statutes: 984.12, 984.151, 1002.41, 1003.01(13), 1003.21(1), 1003.26 & 1003.27.
Lee County School District board policies: 4.07, 4.16, 4.18 & 4.27.
We’re actually working on that right now. Thank you for asking, and stay tuned!
Just one. You can do that and anything you set your mind to, including being a great teacher. So look in the mirror and say “thank you” to yourself for the great choice you’re making and all your hard work.
You got this. You belong in this community. And we’re glad you’re here!
If you have questions about homeschooling in Lee County, contact the government directly.
Lee County Public Education Center
2855 Colonial Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33966
Website: http://www.leeschools.net/homeschool
Email: HomeSchool@LeeSchools.net
Office: 239-337-8177
Fax: 239-461-8451
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