The following suggestions will be useful for many Indiana families wishing to remove their children from the public school system and establish a home-based private school, or homeschool. Every family’s own situation is different, however, and you may, therefore, first wish to obtain legal advice. These suggestions do not constitute the giving of legal advice.
1. Send a letter to the principal of the public school your child is currently attending.
2. Include your name and address and the name of the children who are going to be homeschooled.
3. The body of the letter should be very simple. You may include as much or as little information as you see fit.
Note: A child is no longer subject to compulsory attendance law after he reaches his 18th birthday. A child who has reached his 16th birthday is not subject to compulsory attendance law if certain requirements are met as described in or IC 20-8.1-3-17 (j) (or IC 20-8.1-3-17.7, if SB 367 is enacted). One of the requirements is that the student’s principal consent. For a student enrolled in a home-based private school, the principal will usually be the mother or father.
© Home School Legal Defense
Sample Letter
(Your Street Address)
(Your City, Indiana Zip Code)
(Date)
(Old School’s Name)
(Street Address)
(City, State Zip Code)
Dear (Mr. Principal’s Name):
This letter is to inform you that (Child’s Name) will be withdrawing from (Old School) as of (date of transfer). (Child’s Name) will be enrolled at (Homeschool Name) which is a private school.
In State v. Peterman, 70 N.E.2d 50 (1904), the Indiana Court of Appeals recognized that the Indiana compulsory attendance statute allows for the operation of a private school in the home. Our school meets all of the requirements mandated by the Court of Appeals in the Peterman case. Our school will meet for the same number of days the public schools are in session. Our school keeps attendance records as required.
Please send a copy of (Child’s Name) records to the following address:
(Homeschool Name)
(Street Address)
(City, Indiana Zip Code)
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
(Parent’s Name)