How to Withdraw Your Child from Public School to Homeschool in Kentucky

Many parents begin exploring homeschooling because something simply isn’t working for their child in a traditional school environment. If you’ve reached the point of wondering how to withdraw your child from public school to begin homeschooling in Kentucky, you’re not alone. For many families, this step can feel intimidating. The good news is that the process is usually more straightforward than parents expect. In fact, Kentucky us considered one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the nation. Below is a general overview of how families typically begin the transition.

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Step 1: Notify the School and Withdraw Your Child

Before beginning homeschooling, parents typically notify the school that their child will be withdrawn.

This is often done with a simple written notice stating that your child will no longer attend the school because you are beginning homeschooling. Many families choose to keep the notice brief but professional. Don't feel pressured to share more info than you're comfortable with sharing. Parents should be aware that students who are already considered truant may not be eligible to withdraw for the purpose of homeschooling until the truancy matter has been resolved.

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Step 2: Submit a Letter of Intent

In Kentucky, families who choose to homeschool must notify the local school district of their intent to homeschool.

This is typically done by submitting a letter of intent to the superintendent of your local public school district.

The letter should include basic information such as:

• the name of your homeschool
• the names and ages of the children being homeschooled
• your home address
This letter should be submitted within the first two weeks of the school year or otherwise at the time you begin homeschooling if it's midyear.

Many parents choose to mail the letter by certified mail so they have a record that it was received.

 

Step 3: Begin Planning Your Child’s Learning

After withdrawing your child, many parents start thinking about things like:

• curriculum options
• daily routines
• how to support their child emotionally during the transition
• what learning will look like at home

This is often the stage where families begin to feel overwhelmed by the number of options available.

It’s important to remember that homeschooling does not have to look like traditional school at home. Many families gradually find a rhythm that works well for their child.

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When Families Want Help Thinking Through the Next Steps

After understanding the basic process, many parents still have questions about what homeschooling will actually look like for their child.

Questions often include:

• Is homeschooling the right step for my child right now?

• What if I work outside the home — can homeschooling still work for our family?
• What curriculum should we start with?
• How do we help our child transition out of school emotionally?
• What might our daily routine realistically look like?

Through my work with families transitioning out of traditional school environments, I’ve seen how helpful it can be to talk through these decisions with someone who understands both systems.

If you would like help thinking through your child’s situation and your options, I offer one-on-one homeschool consulting sessions where we can talk through your questions and identify practical next steps for your family.

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