Homeschooling in Iowa: Guidance for Getting Started

Although the homeschooling laws are a bit complex, it’s actually easy to homeschool in Iowa. There are options for families who want nearly complete independence as well as options for families who prefer support from professional teachers in their district. 

Nancy H. is a Sonlighter in Iowa who shares her experience:

It is very easy to homeschool in Iowa. I have lived and homeschooled in two other states, and Iowa's homeschool law seems quite unique to me. Initially it seemed very complicated to understand because there are several options. But once I understood how it worked, I really think it's ideal. If you want to be completely independent in your homeschool, you don't have to report anything at all. However, if you want to use public school resources, then you can choose a reporting method that works best for your situation.” 

There are some regulations, but in general, Iowa is a state with a low level of regulation over homeschoolers. The degree of regulation depends on what avenue you take as a homeschooler. If you opt to receive services from your local public school, then you will have a bit more regulation than a homeschooler who wants to go it alone without support from local schools.

Each type of homeschooling has its own unique requirements. In general, the Iowa homeschooling options with greater support from the local school system (in terms of curriculum, courses, teacher expertise, etc.) come with more requirements on the part of the family (things like annual standardized testing, paperwork, record keeping, immunizations, etc.). So a big choice to make as a homeschooler in Iowa is what degree of public school resources you’d like to use. 

The Iowa Department of Education provides a very detailed guide called the Private Instruction Handbook. Since it’s updated each year, get the latest version directly from the Iowa DOE here. In it, you can find the most up-to-date homeschool requirements for the state of Iowa.

For families homeschooling under IPI, CPI Option 1,  or CPI Option 2, students must make adequate progress in these academic areas: 

Grades 1-5 

• Reading 
• Language arts
• Math

Grades 6-12

• Reading
• Language arts
• Math
• Science
• Social studies

Adequate progress is defined as “evaluation scores above the 30th percentile based on national norms in each of the required areas and indicate the student has made six months’ progress from the previous evaluation or is at or above grade level for their age.”

Although there are no stated hour requirements for homeschooling in Iowa, there are daily minimums. Iowa law requires students homeschooling under CPI Option 1 to receive instruction on a daily basis for at least 148 days during a school year. This requirement is further defined as at least 37 days each quarter.

Families who homeschool under CPI Option 2 or IPI are not held to these same daily minimums, but students still must make adequate progress year by year. And IPI families must provide a report to the school district if it’s requested. 

It’s easy to keep accurate and detailed homeschool records with the Sonlight Planner. It has room not only for attendance records but for other plans such as extracurricular activities, goals, book logs, meal planning, curriculum lists, etc. 

No, a parent can homeschool without being a certified teacher or without having a college degree under IPI or CPI Option 2. 

However, CPI Option 1 does require a teacher with a valid Iowa teaching license appropriate for the student’s grade level and the subject matter being taught. 

In Iowa, there are options for homeschooling under the direction of a licensed teacher (CPI Option 1) as well as options that do not require any special qualifications (IPI and CPI Option 2).

Any student may receive independent private instruction (IPI) in Iowa. 

Reporting varies depending on the method of homeschooling you choose. 

There is no form required to enroll a student in IPI. However, it’s advised (by both the Iowa department of education and most Iowa homeschool organizations) that you inform your resident district of your intent to provide IPI. Please note that if parents do not send children to school and also do not provide IPI, they are subject to truancy prosecution. 

If you are using CPI Option 1, you will need to file CPI Form A. Get the most current form from the Iowa Department of Education here. This form is optional if you choose CPI Option 2. 

Form A is called a CPI Report. It’s not a letter of intent or affidavit, but it is a necessary document to file for many Iowa homeschoolers.

Unschooling is legal in Iowa. As long as you meet the requirements for the type of homeschooling you choose, you can use the child-led style of unschooling. 

Yes. Under IPI programs, up to 4 unrelated students can be instructed together, but no tuition or remuneration may be received by the teacher.

If homeschooling under CPI Option 1, a licensed practitioner is hired by the family and can homeschool children who are not their own.

Iowa homeschooling statutes require that IPI students receive instruction in these four key subject areas:

1. mathematics
2. reading and language arts
3. science
4. social studies

So you’ll need resources to teach those areas. Although the state does not provide any specific requirements in terms of curriculum, methods, or specific lesson plans, your life as a homeschool parent will be infinitely easier if you purchase a pre-planned, trusted curriculum like Sonlight.

Besides those subject areas, you’ll need to organize your home so you have both an area to store your materials and a place to do your schoolwork: a couch for reading, a table for written work, and a kitchen counter for hands-on crafts and experiments. 

Iowa does not mandate any specific curriculum under CPI, but the required content areas must be covered. Using a professionally designed curriculum is the best way to ensure that you are covering the required topics and that your child is making adequate progress.

A Sonlight All-Subjects Package goes well beyond the requirements outlined in Iowa state mandates. With an ASP, you are assured that your children are meeting—and exceeding—all the homeschool requirements of the Land of the Rolling Prairie! 

Iowa education laws about homeschooling testing depend on what kind of homeschooler you are. For homeschoolers under CPI Option 2 and IPI, testing is not required, but it is available. The schools are obligated to provide any homeschooler access to a standardized assessment.

To take advantage of the free standardized assessment for your child, simply submit a request to your school district. Do this early in the school year so the district has plenty of time to prepare for your child’s test. 

Regardless of your state, some of the steps are universal. Read those basics of getting started with homeschooling here. 

When it comes to homeschooling specifically in Iowa, you’ll want to follow these steps.

1. Decide which legally defined type of homeschooling you want to follow: IPI, CPI Option 1, or CPI Option 2. There are many factors to consider from required records, standardized testing, and immunizations. So read the official Iowa Department of Education documents and talk to a few actual Iowa homeschoolers before you make your decision.
2. If your child is already a public school student, be sure to officially withdraw them.
3. In the case of homeschooling under either CPI option, file Form A: CPI Report with your district.
4. Grab your calendar and curriculum catalog to make a plan for the required days of instruction (CPI Option 2) and academic areas (all homeschoolers). 
5. Throughout the school year, maintain good records in case you are ever asked to provide documentation.
6. Enjoy learning alongside your children! Homeschooling is a joyous adventure! 

School is compulsory in Iowa from ages 6 to 16. (Sept. 15 is the cut off date for determining age.) So during those ages, a child must either be enrolled in public or private school or be homeschooled according to state requirements.

Since school is not compulsory in Iowa until age 6, yes, you can skip kindergarten entirely and start your child’s formal education at grade 1. However, many five-year-olds are ready for an hour or two each day of gentle learning, so don’t rule out kindergarten as a homeschooler. 

Even though it’s not required, you can still begin homeschooling at age 3, 4, or 5 by using a program at home. Sonlight offers 3 delightful packages that give your at-home preschool or kindergarten direction without being too school-ish. 

• Preschool for ages 3-4
• Pre-K for ages 4-5
• Kindergarten American History for ages 5-7

If you’re unsure which one best suits your youngster, reach out to an Advisor for expert help.

You can homeschool in Iowa for free, but be prepared to invest quite a bit of time and energy hunting for quality resources, organizing and or printing freebies, and structuring them into a cohesive unit of study. 

Basically, free homeschooling in Iowa is possible, but it’s quite a lot of work and can leave you feeling unsettled: Is this enough? Are my children getting an adequate education? Does this fulfill what the state requires?

If you purchase a well-planned curriculum, not only will you save time and hassles, you can be confident that your children are learning far more than the minimum! Basically, buying a curriculum is worth it.