Homeschool benefits and savings in Stafford
Stafford Board of Education policy 6172.3 says homeschooled children may be allowed to join limited co-curricular activities in Stafford Public Schools. To take part, your child submits a portfolio or transcript for review by the superintendent's office and keeps sending progress records each marking period.
Who qualifies
Homeschools in Stafford
The Board asks for a notice of intent to educate your child at home each school year, sent by August 1 before the year starts.
Submits a portfolio or transcript
Send a portfolio and/or transcript of your child's academic progress to the Superintendent of Schools or a designee for review.
Keeps showing progress
To stay eligible, submit your child's program of studies and transcript on the district's marking-period schedule for the same grade level.
Meets CIAC rules for sports
For athletics, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) regulations decide eligibility.
What the policy asks for
These rules come from Stafford Board of Education policy 6172.3, last revised October 23, 2023.
- Request at the start of a school year
- Portfolio from the previous term
- Child new to homeschooling
- Planned program and last year's grades
- Staying eligible
- Transcript each marking period
- Athletic teams
- CIAC regulations
- Activities open to homeschoolers
- Limited co-curricular
The policy does not list which activities are open, so ask the superintendent's office which clubs or teams your child can join before you submit work.
How to request participation
- By August 1
File the notice of intent
Send the Notice of Intent to Educate a Child at Home for the coming school year. The district also invites you to an informational meeting with administration.
- Before the activity
Submit a portfolio or transcript
Give the superintendent's office a portfolio and/or transcript showing your child's academic progress so it can review the request.
- Each marking period
Send progress records
Submit your child's program of studies and transcript on Stafford's marking-period schedule for the matching grade level.
- Each school year
Renew the notice
The Board requests a new notice of intent for every year you homeschool.
What it includes
Included
- Limited co-curricular activities
- Athletics under CIAC rules
- Help from administration in planning a home program
Not included
- Activities the district does not open to homeschoolers
- Athletic eligibility outside CIAC rules
Good to know
Limited activities may be open after a review
Policy 6172.3 says homeschooled children may be allowed to take part in limited co-curricular activities after the district reviews their academic progress.
First-year homeschoolers are reviewed on plans and grades
For a first-year homeschooler, the district reviews your planned home program and your child's grades from the previous school year instead of a portfolio.
High school teams also require CIAC eligibility
Your child must also meet the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) eligibility rules, which govern athletic participation.
Who to contact about participation
The Assistant Superintendent's office receives homeschool notices of intent and can answer questions about the review for co-curricular activities.
bavac@stafford.k12.ct.us 860-684-4213 District administration
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Connecticut
State law does not require a homeschool notice. The State Department of Education asks parents to tell their local school district that they intend to homeschool, but that request is guidance, not a legal requirement.
Connecticut sets these rules:
- Subjects: Instruction in Connecticut must include reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, US history, and citizenship.
- Testing: Connecticut does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Connecticut does not require homeschool records, but keeping them is recommended.
- Teachers: Connecticut does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Connecticut homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Connecticut
Questions parents ask
- Do we have to file a notice of intent?
- Yes. The Board requests one for each school year you homeschool, by August 1. The current form is addressed to the Assistant Superintendent and is processed through your child's school.
- Can the district help us plan our program?
- Yes. The policy says parents may ask the administration for help making sure a home program fits their child's educational needs.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Local classes cover the subjects they offer. We teach the remaining subjects, so a local class can stay part of the year without becoming the whole curriculum.
$149/month per child after the trial.
Find benefits for your ZIP code