Better living conditions, more free time, less pressure on children, and stronger family relationships are some of the reasons families choose homeschooling. The legal framework for individual and domestic education was created to accommodate families who, for personal or professional reasons, decide to educate their children outside the traditional school environment.
Can compulsory schooling be completed through homeschooling?
Yes. Compulsory education can be completed under individual or domestic education regimes. Children and young people in homeschooling are subject to assessment and certification of their learning
Individual vs. domestic education
- Domestic education – Taught at the child’s home by a family member or another person who lives with the child.
- Individual education – Provided by a qualified teacher to a single student outside a school establishment.
In both cases, the student must be formally enrolled in a school
How to enroll in homeschooling
Homeschooling requires:
- Initial enrollment
- Renewal of enrollment
- A collaboration protocol between the school and the legal guardian
The guardian submits the application to the head of the school in the student’s area of residence that offers the desired programme, preferably by email or via an online platform. For private schools, the application is made directly to the chosen institution. Afterwards, an interview with the student and guardian is scheduled to discuss the student’s profile and educational project. The collaboration protocol sets out responsibilities for organizing the educational path, monitoring, assessment, and certification.
Monitoring and portfolio
The enrolling school is responsible for monitoring and certifying learning and appoints a tutor‑teacher to follow the student’s progress. Work and learning are recorded in a portfolio sent to the school at intervals defined in the protocol, allowing ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
Certification of studies
To complete each educational cycle or level, homeschooled students must sit the corresponding assessments or national final exams at the enrolling school.
Successful students are entitled to the same certificates and diplomas as students in regular schooling
Rita Duarte | [email protected]