Home Schooling

Families have the option to educate their children at home or in other settings rather than sending them to a traditional public or nonpublic school. The state of Iowa offers parents two choices for providing their children private instruction. These include Competent Private Instruction (CPI) and Independent Private Instruction (IPI). Both fulfill Iowa's compulsory attendance requirements and comply with state truancy laws.

Competent Private Instruction

The term "Competent Private Instruction" or CPI refers to teaching or instruction provided on a daily basis for at least one hundred forty-eight days per school year and at least thirty-seven days per school quarter. Such instruction may be provided by either a licensed education practitioner or non-licensed individual. Providers are expected to implement an instructional plan and course of study and ensure students make adequate academic progress each year. CPI includes students who are enrolled in non-accredited non-public schools.

There is no prescribed curriculum for students receiving CPI, but students may be assessed annually to evaluate student progress. The school district will provide optional assessments at no cost to the parent.

Students receiving CPI may dual enroll in the district for academic courses (including special education) and/or extracurricular activities. Driver's education is available to CPI without dual enrollment.

Under the Supervision of a Licensed Practitioner

Parents/guardians must complete a Competent Private Instruction Report (CPI Form A) and return it to the district by September 1 or within 14 days of initiating CPI. This form must be completed for all students of compulsory attendance age (i.e., 6 years of age by September 15 and younger than 16) who are enrolled in non-accredited non-public schools. Students must be assessed on an annual basis and the results of these assessments must be reported to the school district no later than June 30. Parents must also submit evidence of immunizations under Iowa Code section 139A.8.

If the student is entitled to special education services, prior written approval from the Area Education Agency (AEA) special education director must be obtained before the child may be home schooled or enrolled in a non-accredited non-public school. This consent is not required if the parent has not consented to an initial evaluation, placement, or reevaluation of special education services or revokes their consent for special education services.

The Shenandoah Community School District offers a home school assistance program (HSAP).  Contact Natalie Kirsch at (712) 246-1581 to be connected with our HSAP teacher.

Under the Supervision of a Non-Licensed Individual

Parents/guardians providing CPI under the supervision of a non-licensed individual are encouraged to submit a Competent Private Instruction Report (CPI Form A), but are not required to do so. However, students who are dual enrolled for academics, extracurricular activities and/or special education must have a completed Form A on file with the district. Students receiving CPI under the supervision of a non-licensed individual may be evaluated on an annual basis, but they are not required to do so. Parents who choose not to assess their student(s) or to report their students' progress may not dual enroll their student(s). Parents providing CPI under the supervision of a non-licensed individual are not required to submit evidence of immunization.

If the student is entitled to special education services, prior written approval from the Area Education Agency (AEA) special education director must be obtained before the child may be home schooled or enrolled in a non-accredited non-public school. This consent is not required if the parent has not consented to an initial evaluation, placement, or reevaluation of special education services or revokes their consent for special education services.

Independent Private Instruction

Independent Private Instruction refers to instruction that meets the following criteria:

1. Is not accredited,
2. Enrolls not more than four unrelated students,
3. Does not charge tuition, fees, or other remuneration for instruction,
4. Provides private or religious-based instruction as its primary purpose,
5. Provides enrolled students with instruction in mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies,
6. Provides, upon written request from the superintendent of the school district in which the independent private instruction is provided, or from the director of the Department of Education, a report identifying the primary instructor, location, name of the authority responsible for the independent private instruction, and the name of the students enrolled,
7. Is not a non-public school and does not provide competent private instruction as defined in Iowa Code Section 299A.1 and these rules,
8. Is exempt from all state statutes and administrative rules applicable to a school, a school board, or a school district, except as otherwise provided in Iowa Code Chapters 299 and 299A.

No process or form is required for providing IPI, but parents are encouraged to notify the district of their intent to do so. There are no annual assessment or reporting requirements for students receiving IPI, so IPI providers are accountable only to themselves. Students receiving IPI are exempt from state immunization and health screening requirements. Students receiving IPI may not dual enroll for academics, special education or extracurricular activities, but they are entitled to participate in driver's education.

Private Instruction Resources

2019-2020 Private Instruction Handbook

Private Instruction Comparison Chart 2020-2021

Private Instruction Form A 2020-2021

Acceptable Tests for Baseline and Annual Assessment Option 2020-2021

Senior Year Plus and Dual Enrolled Students