How to Homeschool in Utah
Here’s everything legally required to homeschool in Utah: File a one-time Notice of Intent with your local school district. That’s it.
This page will answer all questions you have about homeschooling.
Is Homeschooling Legal In Utah?
Yes, homeschooling is fully legal in Utah and explicitly protected under state law (Utah Code § 53G-6-204). Utah is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country. The state places almost no restrictions on how, what, or when you teach your child.
Utah law recognizes homeschooling as a legitimate alternative to public school enrollment. Once you file your Notice of Intent with your local school district, your child is legally exempted from compulsory public school attendance. No further government involvement is required.
Homeschooling is legal for all K–12 students in Utah between the ages of 6 and 18. There is no income requirement, no geographic restriction, and no requirement to use an approved curriculum or teaching method. Any parent or legal guardian can homeschool their child regardless of their own educational background or credentials.
Libertas Institute has championed several laws that have made Utah’s homeschool framework even more permissive over time, while making it easier to open a microschool.
What You Are NOT Required to Do
As a homeschooler in Utah, you are not required to:
- Follow any specific curriculum
- Meet minimum hours or school days
- Have a teaching credential or degree
- Administer standardized tests
- Keep attendance records
- Allow government inspections
- File paperwork every year
- Teach any particular subjects
How to Get Started: Step by Step
- Withdraw your child from their current school. If your child is currently enrolled anywhere, notify the school in writing that you’re withdrawing them to homeschool. A simple email or letter is sufficient, you don’t need the school’s permission.
- File your Notice of Intent with your local school district. Contact your local district, typically the student services office or the equivalent. If you aren’t sure, just ask the main secretary who you should send your notice of intent to.This is the only legal step you’ll ever need to take. Your letter should include your child’s name and age, a statement that you intend to homeschool, and a statement that you assume responsibility for their education under Utah Code § 53G-6-204. Keep a copy for your records.
- Design your child’s education. Utah law places no restrictions on what you teach or how you teach it. You can purchase a complete packaged curriculum, use free online resources, assemble your own mix, or pursue an unschooling approach. Your child’s interests and learning style are your only guide.
- Apply for the Utah Fits All Scholarship (optional but worth it). Utah’s Education Savings Account program gives homeschool families state funds to spend on curriculum, tutoring, technology, music and arts instruction, transportation, and more. Applications open each spring through Odyssey, the program administrator.
- Start teaching. There is no required start date. You set your own schedule, calendar, and pace.
Ages and Requirements
Compulsory school attendance in Utah applies to children between the ages of 6 and 18. Children under 6 or over 18 have no legal requirement. If you move to a new school district, file a new Notice of Intent with that district. Your exemption is granted by the district of residence.
State Funding: Utah Fits All Scholarship
The Utah Fits All Scholarship is a state-funded Education Savings Account that gives families money to spend on education outside the public school system. Libertas Institute championed the legislation that created it in 2023.
| Learner type | Annual amount |
| Home-based, ages 5–11 | $4,000/year |
| Home-based, ages 12–18 | $6,000/year |
| Special needs (Carson Smith Scholarship) | Up to $10,700/year |
What you can spend it on
- Curriculum and textbooks
- Tutoring services
- Educational software and apps
- Computer hardware (once every three years)
- Arts and music instruction (capped at 20% of scholarship)
- Transportation up to $750/year
- Special education services and therapies
- Summer education programs
- Tuttle Twins
To keep the scholarship, submit an annual portfolio
Each year by May 31, homeschool scholarship recipients must submit a portfolio through the Unrulr platform — a brief summary of educational activities, samples of student work, or assessment results. No minimum scores are required.
Advice For New Homeschoolers
We asked veteran homeschooling families for advice they would give families who are just starting out. Here is what they said.
- Many parents aren’t sure how to choose a curriculum. Start with Language Arts and Math. Get that down to a comfortable system, typically 2–3 weeks, then add another subject each week.
- Don’t try to recreate school at home. There’s a reason you’re homeschooling. The traditional model wasn’t the right fit. So do it differently. Have a schedule, but treat it as a guideline, not a strict to-do list.
- Trust your instincts. No one knows your child better than you. What your neighbor says or what you read online may be helpful, but it shouldn’t override your own judgment.
- Don’t try to compete with what everyone else is doing. It’s not a competition. You will end up exhausted and no one in your family will have a great experience.
- While many people make homeschooling look glamorous on Instagram, you don’t need a special room in your house, decorated by a professional interior designer, to homeschool. Many lessons have been given on the kitchen table.
- Don’t be afraid to switch things up if it isn’t working. That is a strength of homeschooling.
- Have fun, because that’s what learning is. It’s fun!
- You will have bad days. But don’t let your worst day change your plans.
Curriculum Options
There’s no right answer. Utah law leaves curriculum entirely to you. Common approaches Utah homeschool families use:
- Packaged curriculum: All-in-one programs like Good and the Beautiful, Sonlight, BJU Press, Abeka, or Khan Academy Kids. Structured and comprehensive.
- Tuttle Twins: Books, curriculum, and Tuttle Twins Academy designed for homeschool families from toddlers through teens. Part of the Libertas Network. Visit the Tuttle Twins Homeschool Hub to explore their resources.
- Eclectic / custom mix: Pick the best resource for each subject. Maximum flexibility, requires more planning.
- Online programs: Full online schooling through accredited programs like IXL, Khan Academy, etc. Many are Utah Fits All approved vendors.
- Classical education: Trivium-based learning with great books, Latin, and logic. Many Utah co-ops offer classical support.
- Unschooling: Child-led, interest-driven learning without a formal curriculum.
- Microschool or co-op: Join a small group of families sharing instruction. Combines structure and social connection with homeschool freedom. The Homeschool Hub Utah is a great resource.
Microschools: A Related Option
A microschool sits between homeschooling and traditional school, small groups of students (typically 5–16) learning together, with more structure and peer interaction than solo homeschooling. Utah passed the nation’s first microschool zoning law in 2024 (SB 13, championed by Libertas Institute), allowing them to operate in any zoning district statewide including residential homes. No teaching credentials required.
Microschool students can also use the Utah Fits All Scholarship, enrolled as private school students, to qualify for $8,000/year rather than the home-based rates.
Record Keeping
Utah law does not require you to keep any records. However, keeping a simple portfolio is worth doing for a few practical reasons:
- If your child ever returns to public school, records help with grade placement
- College applications require transcripts. You’ll need to create one for high schoolers
- If you receive the Utah Fits All Scholarship, an annual portfolio is required to renew
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the school district’s permission to homeschool?
No. You notify the district, you don’t ask for approval. Filing the Notice of Intent is a legal notification, not a permission request. The district records it and that’s the end of their involvement.
Can I homeschool if I don’t have a teaching degree?
Yes. Utah law places no credential or qualification requirements on homeschooling parents. You do not need a teaching certificate, college degree, or any specific educational background.
Can my homeschooled child participate in public school sports or activities?
Utah law allows homeschool students to participate in extracurricular activities and athletics at their local public school under certain conditions. Rules vary by district, contact your local school directly. Beginning in 2026–27, Utah Fits All scholarship recipients are also explicitly allowed to participate in public school athletics.
How does my homeschooled child apply to college?
Homeschool graduates can apply to any college or university that accepts homeschool applicants, which is most of them, including Utah’s state universities. You’ll need to create a high school transcript documenting courses taken, credit hours, and grades. Colleges typically also want SAT/ACT scores, so plan to take those.
Can I homeschool just one of my children while the others attend public school?
Yes. You can choose to homeschool any or all of your children independently. File a Notice of Intent for each child you plan to homeschool.
Does Tuttle Twins offer resources for homeschoolers?
Yes. Tuttle Twins, part of the Libertas Network, offers books, curriculum, and Tuttle Twins Academy designed specifically for homeschool families, from toddlers through teens. Visit the Tuttle Twins Homeschool Hub to explore their resources.
Author: Jon England is the Senior Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute. He is a fourteen-year veteran of public schools. He taught both fifth and sixth grades, receiving Weber District’s E+ Team Award. He proudly homeschools his children with his wife.
Jon received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. He spent time in the Marine Corps and separated as a sergeant in 2006.
During his time in public schools, Jon increasingly understood the importance of parental empowerment in education. This increased understanding led him to join Libertas to provide educational freedom for families. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and five children traveling, skiing, and playing games.
About Libertas Institute: Since its founding in 2011, Libertas Institute has championed education freedom at the state level, passing the Utah Fits All Scholarship, simplifying the homeschool filing process (HB 209, 2025), and clearing the path for microschools to operate legally in every zoning district in Utah (SB 13, 2024).
Explore all of Utah’s education options on our School Choice Options in Utah page.
Published: May, 2026