Alabama
Home Education in Alabama
There are no laws regulating home education in Alabama. However, you do have to enroll your child/children in a "church school" - or cover, covering, umbrella school.
The church schools are free to set their own rules, fees, tuition, etc. Some are actual schools and some are just there to help home educators. Some require a statement of faith and some do not. Some require membership in HSLDA and some do not.
You are free to pick and choose from the many church schools and associate with the church school that best fits your needs.
The major home education organization has other guidelines and information to help you get started.
NOTE: The information provided is a guideline. It is important for all parents to understand the statutes, procedures, policies, and/or guidelines in their home state and do what is necessary to comply with them. Find out the law in your state.
Home Education Resources and Support Groups
Families have been educating their children at home for years. You don't need to start from scratch!
Start with our Home Education Resources where you'll find links to curriculum, materials, teaching methods, answers to common questions about home education, step-by-step suggestions and creative options, and links to national organizations. Our goal is to share some of the best and most popular materials and resources.
You are not alone! We list some of the statewide church schools below, as well as some support groups.
We also have a link below to the major home education organization in Alabama. You can find more church schools and support groups at their website.
For another extensive list of statewide and local church schools, we recommend Leaping from the Box. They have a great list of church schools, as well as more support groups.
Private Schools
Use the National Center for Education Statistics to find a private school in your area - just enter your city! This useful database has many ways to search, provides stats such as grade levels of schools, student population, contact info for schools.
Laws and Standards
For the best understanding on the law and how to read it, we recommend National Home Education Legal Defense (NHELD). Once you read their site, you'll know why they are your vanguards of true legal freedom. Here is an excerpt from NHELD:
Parents educate their children for a variety of reasons in a variety of ways. However, there is one thing that is crucial for all parents, the need to be free so that they are able to educate in the manner in which they choose in the best interest of their children. Together, we can and must retain this freedom; without freedom, there is only one choice: government schooling. That is not acceptable.
We also have links to the laws regarding education (from the CHEF website) and educational standards (from Developing Educational Standards).
If you feel that your group is not properly represented below - or if you know of a group that should be listed in one of our categories - or if you find a broken link - please let us know. Thank you!
ORGANIZATIONS
You may want to start with the main home education organization in your state.
Christian Home Education Fellowship (CHEF) of Alabama, Inc.
P.O. Box 20208, Montgomery, AL 36120-0208
Phone: (334) 288-7229
Email: sharon@chefofalabama.org
CHEF of Alabama was founded in 1988 to serve all home educators in Alabama by providing information, services, and resources from a Christian perspective to anyone who needs help in the area of home schooling. While we do not limit our services to Christians, our approach is decidedly from the Christian perspective. Our desire is to build strong families by encouraging the home education of our children using tried-and-true biblical principles. Full list of church schools.
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STATEWIDE CHURCH/COVER SCHOOLS
Bright Horizons Academy
Contact: Jessica Spencer Henderson, (205) 669-7979
Email: administrator@brighthorizonsacademy.com
We are a new cover school for home educating families in the State of Alabama. Our commitment is to the children in the home school community. We strive to provide up to date and accurate information on home school activities, field trips, curriculum, educational activities and social activities for families with children of all ages. We are committed to helping Alabama's home educated children on their journey to their own Bright Horizon! No statement of faith or HSLDA required. Enrollment fee.
Calvary School
Contact: Carla Floyd, (256) 423-8165
Email: carlafloyd@calvary-school.org
Calvary is an umbrella or cover school that provides parents a legal avenue to homeschool their children in the State of Alabama. We believe that parents should be able to educate their children and choose the curriculum that best fits their children. Calvary accepts homeschool students from all over the State of Alabama regardless of religion, culture or race. No statement of faith or HSLDA required. Tuition.
Christian Fellowship Academy
Contact: Jaime Clapp, (256) 747-1704
Email: admin@christianfellowshipacademy.org
Non-profit home education ministry providing a legal "covering" under which Christian families can teach their children at home. Our family-based approach to teaching offers parents the resources, support, knowledge, and skills necessary to provide their children with learning experiences that encourage. Egroup support. No statement of faith or HSLDA required. Admission/Enrollment fee.
DaySpring Academy
Contact: Donna Mitchell, (256) 353-2592
Email: dayspringacademy@att.net
DaySpring Academy is a church school in Alabama offering a family-based educational program for grades K-12. We support and encourage parents to actively take responsibility for the education of their children. We encourage parents to use a broad spectrum of materials -- from traditional books to software to hands-on activities to field trips to simply letting a child direct their own learning. Each child's learning is specific to them -- not to a system or a series of goals. No statement of faith or HSLDA required. Enrollment fee.
Eden Academy of Tuscaloosa
Contact: Christie Bunn, (205) 556-1571
Email: Eden_Academy_Homeschool@yahoo.com
We believe that all parents should have the opportunity to homeschool their children regardless of religion/beliefs, financial standing, race, sex, or handicap. It is our mission to help provide a church school, to help give you those opportunities. Services offered: Transcripts, curriculum consultation, special needs students are welcome, social interaction with other students, field trips, monthly newsletter, optional class group projects, borrowers library, optional holiday parties, and much more. We supply attendance, report card, schedule, curriculum list forms. No statement of faith or HSLDA required. Registration fee.
North Alabama Christian School
Contact: Sandra Summerford, (256) 657-3380
Email: northalabamachristianschool@yahoo.com
We are a Church Cover or Umbrella for people who wish to homeschool their children. We meet once a month. We offer field trips, a high school statewide prom for homeschoolers, a graduation ceremony for kindergarten and 12th grade, and a statewide homeschool day. No statement of faith or HSLDA required. Enrollment fee.
Outlook Academy
Contact: Carren Joye, (334) 290-0919
Email: admin@outlookacademy.com
Outlook Academy is a hands-off church school. Because we believe that parents are best suited to direct the education of their children, Outlook Academy asks only for what the law requires while also offering support for your personal choices. We respect your privacy, as well as your right to homeschool your children unencumbered by restrictions. No statement of faith or HSLDA required. Enrollment and membership fees.
VAST Network, Inc.
Contact: Christie Berry, (256)-829-1074
Email: christie@vastnetwork.org
The purpose of our home school is to create alternative educational options for children with disabilities. VAST provides a church school covering for those families home educating their special needs children. Our school covers entire families whether all children have disabilities or only one has special needs.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Eden Academy of Tuscaloosa Support Group
Email: Eden_Academy_Homeschool-owner@yahoogroups.com
Free support for Alabama homeschoolers. Field trips, play dates, advice, labs.
Full Circle Homeschool Support
Contact: Deven Vasko, (251) 458-2256
Email: fullcirclemobile@yahoo.com
We are a faith-based support group for homeschooling families. We provide the following options: Fieldtrips, Park Days, Mom's Time Out, Family Fun Time and so much more.
Area: Mobile/Baldwin County and surrounding areas
Homeschooled Kids & Co.
Contact: Joanne Moore, (251) 368-8225
Email: homeschooledkidsandco@yahoo.com
Activities consist of moms' meetings, field trips, Park Days, extra-curricular group classes, organized P.E., parties, and service projects. We are strictly a support group and not a cover/umbrella organization.
Area: Escambia County
HS4R Kids Social Group
Email: hs4rkidssocialgroup-owner@yahoogroups.com
A group for home schooling families who would like a place to post social activities for home schoolers. Our age range is elementary age children, but activities for other ages are welcomed.
Area: North Alabama
Shelby County Alabama Homeschoolers
Contact: Jessica Spencer-Henderson, (205) 669-7979 or 205-739-4684
Email: shelbycoalhs@aol.com
We are a small group of homeschoolers who enjoy sharing ideas, information and activities in our area. We offer free membership to the group, activity planning, and fellowship with other homeschoolers. Religion is come as you are.
Area: Shelby County
Tuscaloosa Home Educators (THE)
Contact: Julie McLaurine, (205) 333-6328
Email: mclaurine@charter.net
THE sponsors field trips, a high school choir, junior varsity and varsity sports programs, and numerous other activities.
Area: Tuscaloosa County
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Last updated November 20, 2009
