A year-round Iowa homeschool marketplace — curriculum, tutoring, therapy, STEM, arts and enrichment providers, plus a plain-English guide to Iowa's private instruction law (CPI and IPI), Form A and annual evaluations, parent-issued diplomas, the Tuition and Textbook Credit, where Iowa stands on school choice, dual enrollment and athletics, Senior Year Plus, college aid and parent-taught driver education.
Overseen by: The Iowa Department of Education sets the rules (Iowa Administrative Code 281—chapter 31) and publishes the Private Instruction Handbook and Form A. The family's resident school district receives Form A and evaluation results from families who report, and runs dual enrollment and any homeschool assistance program (HSAP). Families who don't comply with the CPI or IPI law face truancy prosecution.
Legal options: CPI Option 1, by or under a licensed teacher: a district's HSAP if offered, a teacher the family hires, or a licensed parent. CPI Option 2, by a parent without a current Iowa teaching license: with reporting (Form A plus an annual evaluation) or without it (the "Private Instruction Exemption"). IPI: no forms; a report only if the superintendent or the Department asks in writing.
Instruction required: Under IPI and CPI Option 2 without reporting: mathematics, reading and language arts, science and social studies. The Department describes CPI as daily instruction for at least 148 days a school year, at least 37 days each quarter. Families choose their own curriculum; the Department doesn't review, recommend or require one.
Reporting and evaluations: Only for CPI families who report or dual enroll, and Option 1 families outside an HSAP: Form A to the resident district by September 1 (or within 14 calendar days of leaving a school). Option 2 families who report also need an annual evaluation by May 31 — a Department-approved standardized test (free from the district or AEA on request), a portfolio review by a licensed Iowa teacher, or an accredited correspondence school's report card — with results due by August 1.
Diplomas: Since House File 2754 (signed May 12, 2026), the parent, guardian or instructor may issue a diploma, final transcript or other written documentation, and Iowa law must accept it like one from a school district or accredited nonpublic school (§ 299A.13). A student who completes a CPI or IPI secondary program isn't required to get a high school equivalency diploma. Iowa's HSED is earned with the HiSET through the community colleges.
Homeschool funding: The Tuition and Textbook Credit (Iowa Code § 422.12): 25% of the first
,000 of qualifying expenses per dependent, so up to $500 per child, claimed on IA 1040 line 9 (tax year 2025 instructions). Purchases made with Students First ESA funds don't count. No state account or grant pays homeschool costs, and an HSAP may not give money to parents.
School choice status: As of November 2026: Students First ESAs are open to every Iowa resident K–12 student who attends an accredited nonpublic school ($8,148 full-year for 2026–27) — not to homeschool students. STO scholarships are also for accredited nonpublic schools (0 million yearly credit cap). Public choices are open enrollment, charter schools and approved online schools. Iowa elected to take part in the federal scholarship tax credit for 2027; SGO applications are due December 11, 2026.
Mon, Nov 23, 2026 · Almost Full Moon Owl Hike Central City · Pinicon Ridge Park, Eagle View Shelter, 4729 Horseshoe Falls Rd Linn County Conservation evening hike (5:30–7 p.m.) by moonlight to Horseshoe Falls, calling for owls along the way; limited to 20.
Tue, Nov 24, 2026 · Full Moon Hike at Lake Meyer Park Fort Atkinson · Lake Meyer Park, East Shelter, 2546 Lake Meyer Road · Free Winneshiek County Conservation’s free 45-minute full-moon hike around Lake Meyer, starting at 5 p.m.; no registration needed.
Sat, Nov 28, 2026 · Native American Storytelling & Drumming (Putnam Museum) Davenport · Putnam Museum & Science Center, 1717 W 12th St · Free Free afternoon program (2 p.m.) with Larry Lockwood of the Northern Cheyenne Nation sharing traditional songs, stories and drumming.
Sun, Nov 29, 2026 · 2027 U.S. Presidential Scholars: Iowa Nomination Deadline Statewide · Free The Iowa Department of Education takes nominations through Nov. 29 for outstanding high school seniors in academics, career and technical education, or the arts; up to 30 Iowa students go forward to the U.S. Department of Education.
Tue, Dec 1, 2026 · Iowa Poetry Out Loud: School & Organization Registration Deadline Statewide Last day for schools and organizations to register to hold a local Poetry Out Loud recitation contest for the 2026–27 season, run in Iowa by Humanities Iowa and the University of Iowa Office of Community Engagement.
Tue, Dec 1, 2026 – Thu, Dec 31, 2026 · Snowflake Stroll at Cordova Park Otley · Cordova Park, Karr Trail, 1378 Highway G-28 · Free Marion County Conservation’s self-guided December stroll along the Karr Trail searching for 33 hidden snowflakes, with a logbook to sign.
Tue, Dec 1, 2026 · Students First ESA: Spring Funds Available (2026–27) Statewide Spring Education Savings Account funds become available: the second payment for full-year participants and the full amount for half-year participants (2026–27 school year).
Thu, Dec 3, 2026 · Iowa Lakes Community College Aviation Visit Day Spencer · Iowa Lakes Community College, Spencer Campus, 1900 Grand Ave Ste B-1 Afternoon visit day (1–4 p.m.) for prospective students interested in Iowa Lakes’ aviation programs at the Spencer campus; registration through the event page.
Fri, Dec 4, 2026 – Thu, Dec 31, 2026 · Traveling Exhibit: Your Friendly Neighborhood (Local Wildlife) Oskaloosa · Environmental Learning Center (lower level), Caldwell Park, 2342 Highway 92 Mahaska County Conservation hosts a family-friendly traveling exhibit on the animals that share our cities, farms, neighborhoods and parks, open during regular building hours Dec. 4–31.