If your child is not currently enrolled in a public or private school, you are generally not required to notify any government agency or educational institution that you intend to homeschool.

If your child is currently enrolled in a public or private school, you should notify the school of your decision to withdraw your child and begin homeschooling.

There is no mandatory waiting period before beginning homeschool instruction. Parents or legal guardians decide when the transition will take place.

Withdrawing from a Public School

The Puerto Rico Department of Education has an administrative procedure for students who leave the public school system to continue their education through homeschooling.

Although these procedures exist, some school personnel may not always be fully familiar with the current homeschooling regulations.

General Procedure

Families are generally encouraged to:

Review the current Department of Education circular letter.

Complete and sign the official Student Withdrawal Form, when applicable.

Request a copy of the student's official academic transcript and educational records.

Submit a signed letter informing the school of the student's withdrawal for homeschooling.

If You Encounter Difficulties

Occasionally, families have reported receiving incorrect information, such as being told that they must:

Obtain school approval before homeschooling.

Submit their curriculum for review.

Complete mandatory homeschooling training.

Receive special certification.

Undergo required home visits before beginning.

If you encounter situations like these, you may wish to contact the Puerto Rico Department of Education or organizations that provide guidance to homeschooling families for clarification.

Withdrawing from a Private School

Private schools establish their own administrative procedures for student withdrawals.

In most cases, families should:

Request a copy of the student's official transcript.

Submit a signed letter notifying the school of the student's withdrawal for homeschooling.

Review the school's enrollment contract to determine whether any remaining tuition or financial obligations apply.

If there is a possibility that your child may later return to a private school, it is advisable to ask about the school's admission policies for homeschooled students before beginning homeschooling.

Prepare Before You Begin

Although parents determine the date homeschooling begins, preparing in advance is strongly recommended.

Before starting your homeschool program, consider:

Learning about the applicable laws and regulations.

Choosing your educational philosophy or teaching method.

Selecting curriculum and learning resources.

Developing an initial educational plan.

Becoming familiar with your rights and responsibilities as a homeschooling family.

Good preparation helps make the transition smoother and provides greater confidence throughout the homeschooling journey.

Sample School Withdrawal Letter

Parent or Legal Guardian's Name
Address
City, State, ZIP Code
Phone Number

Date

Principal's Name
School Name
School Address

Dear __________________,

This letter is to inform you that our child, ________________, who is currently enrolled in Grade _____, will be withdrawing from your school to continue his/her education through homeschooling.

We respectfully request copies of the student's official transcript, medical records, immunization records, and any other educational documents contained in the student's school file.

Please let us know when these documents will be available for pickup.

Sincerely,

Parent or Legal Guardian

Downloadable Resources

Department of Education Circular Letter No. 10 (2020–2021)

Official Student Withdrawal Form