Connecticut Homeschool Laws

There is really only one homeschooling option for families in Connecticut–fortunately it allows homeschooling families to teach their children however they see fit, as long as they ensure their children receive instruction in the following required subjects:

• Reading, writing, spelling, and English grammar
• Geography
• Math
• U.S. history and citizenship, including a study of town, state, and federal governments

As previously mentioned, Connecticut tends to be quite liberal when it comes to homeschooling. Parents are not required by law to contact any government officials prior to homeschooling, nor are they required to administer standardized tests. As stated above, the only requirement is that parents teach their children the mandatory subjects.

Despite no laws requiring government notice or contact, the state may choose to conduct an annual portfolio review meeting to ensure everything is up to standard; however, many schools do not request one, and it is not necessary for parents to contact the school district to initiate one.

Here you’ll find websites for any questions you may have about education in the state of Connecticut.

• Connecticut State Department of Education: https://portal.ct.gov/SDE
• U.S. Department of Education – Connecticut: https://www.ed.gov/category/location/connecticut
• Connecticut Education Association: https://cea.org/
• Connecticut Education Network: https://ctedunet.net/
• Connecticut Association of Boards of Education: https://www.cabe.org/
• List of Connecticut school districts: https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_school_districts_in_Connecticut

Whether you already homeschool in Connecticut or are looking to do so, these resources are quite useful if you’re searching for support, co-ops, or answers to questions about homeschooling in your state.

• The Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers – Connecticut (TEACH CT): https://www.teachct.org/
• Connecticut Homeschool Network: https://cthomeschoolnetwork.org/
• GROW Homeschool Co-op: https://growhomeschoolct.wixsite.com/mysite
• Thames Valley 4-H: https://www.homeschool-life.com/ct/thamesvalley4H/
• Unschoolers Unlimited: https://unschoolersunlimited.blogspot.com/
• Fairfield County Homeschoolers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/893958934026723/
• Shoreline Homeschoolers of CT: https://www.facebook.com/groups/shorelinehomeschoolers/about/
• Southeastern CT Homeschoolers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/377804988937186/

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility to explore! Here are some ideas for amazing–and educational–field trips around the great state of Connecticut!

• Ansonia Nature Center: Ansonia, CT

• Beardsley Zoo: Bridgeport, CT

• The Children’s Museum: West Hartford, CT

• Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut: Niantic, CT

• Connecticut Children’s Museum: New Haven, CT

• Connecticut Historical Society: Hartford, CT

• Connecticut Science Center: Hartford, CT

• The Dinosaur Place: Oakdale, CT

• Dinosaur State Park: Rocky Hill, CT

• Discovery Museum and Planetarium: Bridgeport, CT

• Earthplace: The Nature Discovery Center: Westport, CT

• Harriet Beecher Stowe Center: Hartford, CT

• Imagine Nation Children’s Museum: Bristol, CT

• Kidcity Children’s Museum: Middletown, CT

• Lutz Children’s Museum: Manchester, CT

• Maritime Aquarium: Norwalk, CT

• Mark Twain House and Museum: Hartford, CT

• Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center: Mashantucket, CT

• Mother Earth Gallery and Mining Co.: Brookfield, CT

• Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration: Mystic, CT

• Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea: Mystic, CT

• Nathan Hale Homestead: Coventry, CT

• New Britain Youth Museums: New Britain, CT

• SoundWaters: Stamford, CT

• The Stamford Museum and Nature Center: Stamford, CT

• Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History: New Haven, CT