ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Our school year begins on September 1st and ends on August 31st annually; our school ‘term’ is 365 days. As homeschoolers your school year is what you make it, but as per the laws of our home state of Florida* pertaining to private school attendance, students are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term. Luckily, our system will automatically keep track of your attendance. One day attended for each day of enrollment.
*Daily attendance records are pursuant to the laws of the State of Florida and the rules of the State Board of Education. Attendance is recorded automatically with paid tuition.
The following requirements are per the Florida Statutes Chapter 1002/1003 Attendance and Private Schools.
(2) ATTENDANCE.—
(a) Compulsory school attendance.—The compulsory school attendance laws apply to all children between the ages of 6 and 16 years, as provided in s. 1003.21(1) and (2)(a), and, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.21(1) and (2)(a):
(b) Regular school attendance.—Parents of students who have attained the age of 6 years by February 1 of any school year but who have not attained the age of 16 years must comply with the compulsory school attendance laws. Parents have the option to comply with the school attendance laws by attendance of the student in a public school; a parochial, religious, or denominational school; a private school; a home education program; or a private tutoring program, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.01(13).
1003.21 School attendance.—
(1)(a)1. All children who have attained the age of 6 years or who will have attained the age of 6 years by February 1 of any school year or who are older than 6 years of age but who have not attained the age of 16 years, except as otherwise provided, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- Age Verification: A copy of a Birth Certificate, passport, baptismal record or other such official certification of age, for each child enrolled – is necessary for those entering kindergarten only or those who have never before been registered in a public or private school.
- Further information may be obtained via The Florida Department of Health – My-Florida.com – Birth Certificates or National Center for Health Statistics – Where to Write for Vital Records.
- Student Health Examination (HRS-H Form 3040) or Exemption waiver.
- Must be current information (no more than one-year-old)
- FL State Statutes regarding the Student Health Examination and Exemption waiver shown below.
- Further information is available via The Florida Department of Health – School Health: Coordinated School Health.
- Florida Certificate of Immunization (HRS Form 680) or Exemption waiver.
- Must be current information (no more than one-year-old)
- FL State Statutes regarding the Immunization Record and Exemption waiver shown below.
- Further information is available via The Florida Department of Health – School Health: Coordinated School Health.
- Complete the HPA enrollment application below.
- Once your child is enrolled, there is no need to re-enroll annually as long as there are no lapses in tuition.
1003.22 School-entry health examinations; immunization against communicable diseases; exemptions; duties of Department of Health.—
(a) Prior to admittance to or attendance in a public or private school, grades kindergarten through 12, or any other initial entrance into a Florida public or private school, require each child to have on file with the immunization registry a certification of immunization for the prevention of those communicable diseases for which immunization is required by the Department of Health. Any child who is excluded from participation in the immunization registry pursuant to s. 381.003(1)(e)2. must present or have on file with the school such certification of immunization. Certification of immunization shall be made on forms approved and provided by the Department of Health or be on file with the immunization registry and shall become a part of each student’s permanent record, to be transferred when the student transfers, is promoted, or changes schools. The transfer of such immunization certification by Florida public schools shall be accomplished using the Florida Automated System for Transferring Education Records and shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this section.
(b) Require the screening of students for scoliosis at the appropriate age.
(5) The provisions of this section shall not apply if:
(a) The parent of the child objects in writing that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with his or her religious tenets or practices;
(b) A physician licensed under the provisions of chapter 458 or chapter 459 certifies in writing, on a form approved and provided by the Department of Health, that the child should be permanently exempt from the required immunization for medical reasons stated in writing, based upon valid clinical reasoning or evidence, demonstrating the need for the permanent exemption;
(c) A physician licensed under the provisions of chapter 458, chapter 459, or chapter 460 certifies in writing, on a form approved and provided by the Department of Health, that the child has received as many immunizations as are medically indicated at the time and is in the process of completing necessary immunizations.
(d) The Department of Health determines that, according to recognized standards of medical practice, any required immunization is unnecessary or hazardous; or
(e) An authorized school official issues a temporary exemption, for up to 30 school days, to permit a student who transfers into a new county to attend class until his or her records can be obtained. Children and youths who are experiencing homelessness and children who are known to the department, as defined in s. 39.0016, shall be given a temporary exemption for 30 school days. The public school health nurse or authorized private school official is responsible for follow-up of each such student until proper documentation or immunizations are obtained. An exemption for 30 days may be issued for a student who enters a juvenile justice program to permit the student to attend class until his or her records can be obtained or until the immunizations can be obtained. An authorized juvenile justice official is responsible for follow-up of each student who enters a juvenile justice program until proper documentation or immunizations are obtained.
Ready to Get Started?
Choose your tuition plan and begin your registration online.
Need help with getting started or having trouble with the enrollment process? Click here for detailed instructions.
Note: HPA does not participate in any government-funded programs as we believe that the costs of such programs — most notably parents’ loss of freedom to direct their children’s education — outweigh the benefits.
*The enrollment process is best completed from a computer NOT a mobile device, as not all of the instructions appear correctly or at all from mobile devices.*