Compulsory Education Laws: 50-State Survey

Getting an education not only boosts individual earning potential but also helps a person contribute to our society. To this end, each state (and the District of Columbia) has enacted a compulsory education law. These laws generally require children in certain age ranges to attend school. While the age ranges vary by state, the lower limit is usually between five and seven years old, and the upper limit is usually between 16 and 18.

Parents should understand the obligations that these laws impose, as well as the nuances that may allow some flexibility in educating their children. Click on a state below to find out more about the compulsory education law in that state, including the age range, the applicable statute, the core requirement, and some of the notable nuances. If you need more specific and comprehensive guidance, you can consult an education lawyer about your situation.

Alabama Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 6 and 17.

Alabama Code Section 16-28-3 provides that a child between the ages of 6 and 17 must attend a public school, private school, or church school, or be instructed by a private tutor, for the entire length of the school term in every scholastic year. A child attending a church school may be exempt from these requirements before turning 16. A parent can opt out of enrolling their child in school when they are 6 years old by notifying the local school board in writing that the child will not be enrolled until they are 7.

Certain children may not be required to attend school or be instructed by a private tutor, such as:

Children whose physical or mental condition prevents their attendance at school or makes it inadvisable
Children who have completed the course of study of the public schools of the state through high school
Children who would be compelled to walk over 2 miles to attend a public school
Children who are legally and regularly employed under the provisions of the law related to child labor and hold permits to work

To be exempt from the requirement, these children must receive certificates of exemption from the county superintendent of education or the city superintendent of schools.

Alaska Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between 7 and 16 years old.

Alaska Statutes Section 14.30.010 provides that a parent or another person who is responsible for a child between 7 and 16 years old must maintain the child in attendance at a public school in the district where the child resides during the entire school term. Numerous exceptions apply, such as situations when:

The child is provided a comparable academic education by attendance at a private school with certified teachers, tutoring by certified personnel, or attendance at a certain type of educational program operated by a religious or other private school
The child attends a school operated by the federal government
The child is being educated in their home by a parent or guardian
The child is temporarily ill or injured
The child has a physical or mental condition that will make attendance impractical
The child is in the custody of a court or law enforcement authorities
The child lives more than 2 miles from a public school or a route on which transportation is provided by school authorities (unless the child lives within 2 miles of a federal or private school that the child is eligible and able to attend)
The child has completed the 12th grade

If a parent or another person who is responsible for a 6-year-old child decides to enroll them in first grade at a public school, the child will be subject to the compulsory education law after their enrollment. However, if the parent or guardian decides within 60 days after enrollment that the best interests of the child are not being served, the child may be withdrawn from school, and the compulsory education requirement will not apply until the child is 7.

Arizona Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between 6 and 16 years old.

Arizona Revised Statutes Section 15-803 provides that it is unlawful for a child between 6 and 16 years old to fail to attend school during the hours when school is in session. There are exceptions when:

The child is excused for any of the numerous reasons listed in Section 15-802(D) or under Section 15-901(A)(5)(c)
The child is accompanied by a parent or a person authorized by them
The child is provided with instruction in a homeschool

A child may be adjudicated an incorrigible child if they are habitually truant, which means that they are truant for at least five school days in a school year. (A child is truant if they have an unexcused absence for at least one class period during the day.) A child also may be adjudicated an incorrigible child if they have excessive absences, which may occur if their number of absent days exceeds 10 percent of the statutorily required number of attendance days.

Arkansas Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are 5 through 17 years old.

Arkansas Code Section 6-18-201 provides that a parent or another person who has control of a child who is 5 through 17 years old on or before the date established for the minimum age for enrollment in public school must send the child to a public, private, or parochial school, or provide a home school for the child. Exceptions apply when:

The child has received a high school diploma or its equivalent
The child is 16 or older and is enrolled in a post-secondary vocational-technical institution, a community college, or a two-year or four-year institution of higher education
The child is 16 or older and is enrolled in an adult education program or the Arkansas National Guard Youth Challenge Program
The child will not be 6 years old on the statutorily established date for the minimum age for enrollment in public school of that school year, and the parent or other person in control of the child does not want them to attend kindergarten and files a waiver form

A child who will be 6 years old on or before October 1 of the school year of enrollment and who has not completed a kindergarten program may be placed in the first grade if a school district evaluation indicates this placement, and the parent agrees. Otherwise, the child will be placed in kindergarten.

California Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 6 and 18.

California Education Code Section 48200 provides that each person between the ages of 6 and 18 is subject to compulsory full-time education. This means that a parent or other person who has control of the child must send them to a public full-time day school. Certain types of children are exempted from the requirement, such as:

Children instructed in a private full-time day school by people capable of teaching
Children who are mentally gifted and are being instructed in a private full-time day school by people capable of teaching, when at least 50 percent of the total daily instructional time is taught in English
Children who are being instructed in study and recitation for at least three hours a day for 175 days per year by a private tutor or other person with a valid state credential
Children who hold permits to work, although they must attend part-time classes

Children under 6 years old are excluded from public schools. The county office of education or the governing board of the school district of attendance must exclude a child who has not been immunized properly under the Health and Safety Code.

Colorado Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are at least 6 and under 17.

Colorado Code Section 22-33-104 provides that a child who turns 6 years old on or before August 1 and is under the age of 17 must attend public school for at least 1,056 hours during the school year if they are a secondary school pupil, or 968 hours during the school year if they are an elementary school pupil in a grade other than kindergarten. (If they are a full-day kindergarten pupil, they must attend for at least 900 hours, or 450 hours if they are a half-day kindergarten pupil.) Various exceptions apply, such as when:

The child is enrolled for at least 172 days in an independent or parochial school that provides a basic academic education
The child is absent for an extended period due to a physical disability or a mental or behavioral health disorder
The child is temporarily ill or injured, or the school administrator has approved their absence
The child has graduated from the 12th grade
The child is being instructed at home by a licensed teacher or under a non-public home-based educational program
The child is in the custody of a court or law enforcement authorities
The child is pursuing a work study program under the supervision of a public school

Special rules apply to children who are deaf or blind.

Connecticut Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are 5 or older and under 18.

Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-184 provides that a parent or another person who has control of a child who is 5 or older and under 18 must cause the child to attend a public school regularly during the hours and terms when the public school in the district where the child lives is in session. There are exceptions if the child is a high school graduate, or if the parent or other person in control of the child shows that the child is receiving instruction elsewhere that is equivalent to the studies taught in the public schools.

A parent or other person having control of a 5-year-old child has the option of not sending them to school until they are 6, and a parent or other person having control of a 6-year-old child has the option of not sending them to school until they are 7. The parent or other person must exercise this option by personally going to the school district office and signing an option form.

A student who is 18 or older may withdraw from school by personally appearing at the school district office and signing a withdrawal form. A parent or other person with control of a child who is 17 may withdraw the child from school and enroll them in an adult education program by personally appearing at the school district office and signing an adult education withdrawal and enrollment form.

Delaware Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between 5 and 16 years old.

14 Delaware Code Section 2702 provides that every person who has legal custody or otherwise has legal control of a child between 5 and 16 years old must enroll the child in a public school in the school district where the person lives. However, Section 2703 provides that this requirement does not apply to a student enrolled in a private school who is receiving regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for public schools in a manner suitable to children of the same age and stage of advancement. Similarly, a student who is homeschooled as provided by Section 2703A is exempt from the compulsory education requirement. In addition, Section 2705 provides that a child may be exempt from the requirement upon request of their parent or other person with legal control of the child when the request is supported by written documentation from a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or neurologist.

A child over the age of 16 may withdraw from public school before graduation if their parent or guardian provides their written consent (if the student is under 18), and an exit interview is conducted at which the student and their parent or guardian are advised that this likely will reduce the student’s future earning potential and increase their risk of unemployment.

Florida Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who have turned 6 (or will turn 6 by February 1 of the school year) but have not turned 16.

Florida Statutes Section 1003.21 provides that children who have turned 6 (or who will turn 6 by February 1 of the school year) or who are older than 6 but have not turned 16 must attend school regularly during the entire school term. A student who turns 16 during the school year is not subject to compulsory attendance beyond their 16th birthday if they file a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment with the district school board. The declaration must acknowledge that terminating school enrollment is likely to reduce the student’s earning potential and must be signed by the student and their parent. Public school students who have reached the age of 16 and have not graduated are subject to compulsory attendance until the formal declaration of intent is filed.

Georgia Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between their 6th and 16th birthdays.

Georgia Code 20-2-690.1 provides that mandatory attendance in a public school, private school, or home school program is required for children between their 6th and 16th birthdays, unless a child has completed the requirements for a high school diploma. An unemancipated minor who is older than the age of mandatory attendance and has not completed the requirements for a high school diploma but wishes to withdraw from school must have the written permission of their parent or legal guardian before withdrawing. Before accepting this permission, the school principal or designee must hold a conference with the child and their parent or legal guardian within two school days of receiving notice of the intent of the child to withdraw from school.

Hawaii Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who have reached the age of 5 but will not have reached the age of 18 by January 1 of the school year.

Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 302A-1132 provides that children who have reached the age of 5 on or before July 31 of the school year, and who will not have reached the age of 18 by January 1 of the school year, must attend a public or private school during the school year. Any parent or other person responsible for a child whose attendance is required must send the child to a public or private school. Some exceptions apply, such as when:

The child is physically or mentally unable to attend school (for reasons other than deafness or blindness), based on a certificate by a licensed physician
The child is at least 15, is suitably employed, and has been excused from school attendance by the superintendent, their representative, or a family court judge
The child may properly remain away from school, based on an investigation by the family court
The child has graduated from high school
The child is enrolled in an appropriate alternative educational program as approved by the superintendent or their representative

An exception also applies when the child has reached the age of 16, and the principal has decided that the child has engaged in behavior that is disruptive to other students, teachers, or staff or that their non-attendance is chronic and has become a significant factor that hinders the child’s learning, and the principal and the child’s teacher or counselor develops an alternative educational plan for the child in consultation with the child and the parent or other adult who is responsible for the child.

Idaho Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who have reached the age of 7 but not the age of 16.

Idaho Code Section 33-202 provides that the parent or guardian of a child who has reached the age of 7 but not the age of 16 at the time of the commencement of school in their district must ensure that the child is instructed in subjects that are commonly and usually taught in the public schools in the state. The parent or guardian can fulfill this responsibility in two ways. They can cause the child to be privately instructed by the parent or guardian (or at their direction), or they can enroll them in a public school, public charter school (including an online or virtual charter school), or private or parochial school.

However, Section 33-204 provides that the board of trustees of a school district may grant an exemption from this requirement when a licensed physician or psychiatrist states in writing that the physical, mental, or emotional condition of a child does not permit their attendance at school, and the parent or guardian of the child files a petition with the board seeking an exemption from the requirement.

Illinois Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 6 and 17.

105 Illinois Compiled Statutes Section 5/26-1 provides that anyone who has custody or control of a child between the ages of 6 and 17, unless the child has already graduated from high school, must cause the child to attend a public school in the district where the child lives for the entire time that the school is in session during the regular school term. However, children are not required to attend public school in certain situations, such as when:

The child is attending a private or parochial school where children are taught the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in public schools and are taught in the English language
The child is physically or mentally unable to attend school, or is excused for a temporary absence for cause by the principal or teacher of their school
The child is over 12 and under 14 and is attending confirmation classes
The child is necessarily and lawfully employed, and they are excused from attendance by the county superintendent of schools or the superintendent of the public school that they should be attending
The child is absent from a public school because they are unable to attend classes or participate in schoolwork on a certain day or at a certain time of day for religious reasons
The child is absent from a public school on a certain day or at a certain time of day for various reasons related to the service of their parent or legal guardian as an active duty member of the armed forces
The child is 16 or older, submits evidence of necessary and lawful employment to a school district, and is enrolled in a graduation incentives program or an alternative learning opportunities program

A child is considered 6 years old for the purpose of the compulsory education requirement if they turn 6 on or before September 1 of that year.

Indiana Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally begins in the school year when the child turns 7 (or potentially earlier) and has varying end dates.

Indiana Code Section 20-33-2-4 provides that a student must attend a public school that they are entitled to attend or another school taught in the English language. Section 20-33-2-6 provides that a student is generally covered by the compulsory school attendance rules starting with the date on which they officially enroll in a school or the beginning of the fall school term for the school year in which they turn 7, whichever is earlier. They remain covered by these rules until they graduate, become 18 years old, or become 16 years old and fulfill requirements provided by Section 20-33-2-9 for withdrawal and exit interviews that allow a student to withdraw from school before graduation, whichever is earliest.

Section 20-33-2-9 provides that a student who is at least 16 but under 18 may not withdraw from school before graduation unless the student, their parent, and the principal agree to the withdrawal, the parent and the principal provide written consent, and the withdrawal is due to illness, a court order, or financial hardship that requires the student to be employed to support their family or a dependent.

Iowa Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who have reached the age of 6 and are under 16 by September 15.

Iowa Code Section 299.1 provides that the parent, guardian, or custodian of a child of the required age must cause the child to attend a public school or an accredited non-public school, or place them under competent private instruction or independent private instruction as described by the statute. Section 299.2 lists certain exceptions, such as situations when:

The child has completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or obtained a high school equivalency diploma
The child is excused by a court or judge
The child is attending religious services or receiving religious instructions
The child is attending an accredited private college preparatory school

Section 299.1A provides that a child who has reached the age of 6 and is under 16 by September 15 is subject to the compulsory attendance requirement. If a child enrolled in a school district or accredited non-public school reaches the age of 16 on or after September 15, they are still subject to the requirement until the end of the school calendar. Moreover, a child who reaches the age of 5 by September 15 and is enrolled in a school district is considered subject to the compulsory attendance requirement unless their parent or guardian notifies the school district in writing of their intent to remove the child from enrollment in the school district.

Kansas Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who have reached the age of 7 and are under the age of 18.

Kansas Statutes Section 72-3120 provides that a parent or someone else who has control over a child who has reached the age of 7 and is under the age of 18 must require the child to be regularly enrolled in and continuously attend a public school for the duration of the school term, or a private, denominational, or parochial school taught by a competent instructor for a period of time that is essentially equal to the time during which public school is maintained in the school district. (The requirement does not apply if the child has received a high school diploma or a GED credential.) If the child is 16 or 17, the parent or other adult with control over the child may allow the child to be exempt from the compulsory attendance requirement by providing their written consent.

If the child is 16 or 17, the child will be exempt from the compulsory attendance requirement if the child is regularly enrolled in and attending an approved alternative educational program, the child and the parent (or the person acting as a parent) attend a counseling session and sign a disclaimer, or the child is regularly enrolled in a school and is concurrently enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution.

A child who is under 7 but enrolled in school is subject to the requirement. However, their parent or another person acting as a parent may withdraw the child from school, which will make them exempt from the requirement until they turn 7 or are enrolled again.

Kentucky Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 6 and 18.

Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 159.010 provides that a parent or another person who has custody of a child between the ages of 6 and 18 must send the child to a regular public day school. Section 159.030 provides several exceptions to the compulsory attendance rule. These include situations when:

The child has graduated from an accredited or approved four-year high school
The child is enrolled and in regular attendance in a private, parochial, or church regular day school
The child’s physical or mental condition prevents them from attending school, or makes it inadvisable
The child is under 7 and is enrolled and in regular attendance at a private kindergarten or nursery school
The child is enrolled and in regular attendance in a private, parochial, church, or state-supported program for exceptional children

Specific rules apply to the medical condition exception, such as providing a signed statement from an appropriate healthcare provider as described by the statute.

Louisiana Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are ages 5 (by September 30) through 18.

Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 17:221 provides that the parent or legal guardian of a child who is age 5 (by September 30 of the year in which the school year begins) through 18 must send the child to a public or non-public school, unless the parent or legal guardian chooses to defer enrollment of their child in kindergarten or the child graduates from high school before turning 18. The parent or legal guardian is responsible for assuring the attendance of the child in regularly assigned classes during regular school hours. The statute notes that a parent or legal guardian will be considered in compliance with the school attendance provisions if their child is enrolled in an approved home study program.

A parent or another person who is responsible for the school attendance of a child under 18 who is enrolled in school beyond their 16th birthday may ask that the student be allowed to attend an alternative education program or a vocational-technical education program. Also, a child who is at least 16 may enroll in an effective adult education program if they meet the criteria for this program.

Section 17:226 makes certain children exempt from the compulsory attendance requirement, such as children who are mentally, physically, or emotionally incapacitated to perform school duties, children unable to profit from further school experience, or children who are temporarily excused from school for reasons specified by statute.

Maine Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are 6 or older and under 17.

20-A Maine Revised Statutes Section 5001-A provides that a person who is 6 or older and under 17 must attend a public day school during the time when it is in regular session. Moreover, a person who is 5 and under 6 who is enrolled in a public day school and has not withdrawn must attend that school while it is in session. This requirement does not apply to a person who graduates from high school before turning 17. It also does not apply to a person who has reached the age of 15 or completed the 9th grade if they have permission to leave school from their parent and the school board, they have been approved by the principal for a suitable program of work and study or training, and they have agreed in writing with their parent and the school board to meet annually until their 17th birthday to review their educational needs.

However, a person is excused from attending a public day school if they obtain equivalent instruction in a private school approved for attendance purposes, a private school recognized by the Maine Department of Education as providing equivalent instruction, a home instruction program that meets statutory requirements, or any other manner arranged by the school board and approved by the commissioner.

Maryland Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are 5 or older and under 18.

Maryland Education Code Section 7-301 provides that each child who resides in Maryland and is 5 or older and under 18 must attend a public school regularly during the entire school year. The statute provides numerous exceptions, such as situations when:

The child has received a high school diploma or a GED
The child is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in public schools to children of their age
The child is severely ill and requires home or hospital instruction
The child provides financial support to their family
The child is married or in the military
The child attends an alternative educational program, or is pregnant or a parent and is enrolled in an alternative educational program
The child is committed by court order to an institution without an educational program

This requirement applies to a child with a mental, emotional, or physical disability, but it does not apply to a child whose mental, emotional, or physical condition makes the child’s instruction detrimental to their progress, or whose presence in school poses a risk of serious physical harm to others.

Massachusetts Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the minimum and maximum ages established for school attendance by the state board of education.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 76 Section 1 provides that a child between the minimum and maximum ages established for school attendance must attend a public day school in the town where they live, or another day school approved by the school committee. Massachusetts regulations provide that each child must attend school beginning in September of the year in which they turn 6. Attendance is not required in certain situations:

The physical or mental condition of the child makes their attendance inexpedient or impracticable
The child has received an employment permit from the superintendent of schools
The child is otherwise instructed in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent or the school committee

A school committee must approve a private school when it finds that the instruction in all the studies required by law equals the instruction in the public schools in the same town, and it must not withhold its approval due to religious teaching.

Michigan Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to a child from the age of 6 until their 18th birthday.

Michigan Compiled Laws Section 380.1561 provides that a parent or another person who has control of a child must send them to a public school during the entire school year from the age of 6 until their 18th birthday. Several exceptions apply, such as situations when:

The child has graduated from high school or fulfilled the requirements for high school graduation
The child is being taught in a state-approved non-public school that teaches subjects comparable to those taught in the public schools to children of a similar age and grade
The child is being educated at home by their parent or legal guardian in an organized educational program in certain subject areas enumerated by statute
The child is under 9 and does not live within 2.5 miles from a public school, and transportation is not provided for pupils in their school district
The child is 12 or 13 and attending confirmation classes for 5 months or less

A child who turns 6 before December 1 must be enrolled on the first school day of the school year in which their sixth birthday occurs, while a child who turns 6 on or after December 1 must be enrolled on the first school day of the school year following the school year in which their sixth birthday occurs.

Minnesota Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between 7 and 17 years old.

Minnesota Statutes Section 120A.22 provides that every child between 7 and 17 years of age must receive instruction unless they have graduated. Instruction may be provided through a public school or a non-public school, church, or religious organization, or through a home school. If a child under the age of 7 is enrolled in kindergarten or a higher grade in a public school, they are generally subject to the compulsory attendance requirement, although they may be withdrawn from enrollment for good cause.

A student who is 17 and wants to withdraw from school must attend a meeting with school personnel to discuss the educational opportunities available to them and sign a form to withdraw from the school. Their parent or guardian also must attend the meeting and sign the form.

A parent or another person who has control of a child may ask a school district to excuse the child from attendance for certain permitted reasons. These include situations when the child’s physical or mental health prevents them from attending school, or when the child has already completed state and district standards required for high school graduation.

Mississippi Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who have turned or will turn 6 on or before September 1 and who have not turned 17 on or before September 1.

Mississippi Code Section 37-13-91 provides that a parent or another person who has custody of a “compulsory school age child” (as defined above) must cause the child to attend a public school or a legitimate non-public school for the time that they are of compulsory school age. The statute provides a few exceptions:

The child is physically, mentally, or emotionally incapable of attending school, based on medical documentation
The child is pursuing a course of special education, remedial education, or education for handicapped or physically or mentally disadvantaged children
The child is being educated in a legitimate home instruction program

A compulsory school age child is further defined as a child who has turned or will turn 5 on or before September 1 and has enrolled in a full-day public school kindergarten program.

Missouri Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the age of 7 and the compulsory attendance age for the school district.

Missouri Revised Statutes Section 167.031 provides that a parent or another person who has control of a child between the age of 7 and the compulsory attendance age for the district must cause them to regularly attend a public, private, parochial, parish, or home school, or a combination of these schools. The compulsory attendance age for a district is generally 17, although the school board of a metropolitan school district may lower the compulsory attendance age to 16.

Exceptions apply when the child is mentally or physically incapacitated, or when the child is 14 or older and has found legal employment that is “desirable,” and their parents or guardian have been advised of this action.

A parent or another person who enrolls a child between the ages of 5 and 7 in a public school program must cause them to attend the program on a regular basis. However, they will be excused from attendance if the parent or other person makes a written request that the child be dropped from the school’s rolls.

Montana Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to a child from the age of 7 until their 16th birthday, or until they finish the 8th grade if later.

Montana Code Section 20-5-102 provides that a parent or another person responsible for the care of a child who is 7 or older before the first day of school in a school year must cause the child to be instructed in a program prescribed by the board of public education. The requirement lasts until the child’s 16th birthday or the date when they complete the 8th grade if that is later. Exceptions apply in certain situations, such as when:

The child is provided with supervised correspondence study or supervised home study
The child is excused from compulsory school attendance upon a determination by a judge that attendance is not in the child’s best interest
The child is 16 or older, and the board of trustees decides that attendance is not in the best interest of the child and the school
The child is enrolled in a non-public or home school that meets statutory requirements

The statute defines a non-public school as a parochial, church, religious, or private school, while it defines a home school as the instruction by a parent of their child, stepchild, or ward in their residence.

Nebraska Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to a child who will turn 6 before January 1 of the current school year and has not turned 18.

Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 79-201 provides that anyone who has legal or actual control of a child who is within the age range above, or who is enrolled in a public school, must cause the child to regularly attend a public, private, denominational, or parochial day school when the school is open and in session. Some exceptions may apply, such as situations when:

The child has received a high school diploma
The child will not turn 7 before January 1 of the current school year, and their parent or guardian has signed and filed an affidavit stating that the child is participating in an education program that will prepare them to enter grade one for the next school year
The child will not turn 6 before January 1 of the current school year, and they were enrolled in a public school but have discontinued the enrollment
The child is at least 16 and has been withdrawn from school through the statutorily required process

Section 79-202 describes the withdrawal process. This generally involves attending an exit interview and signing a withdrawal form.

Nevada Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 7 and 18.

Nevada Revised Statutes Section 392.040 provides that a parent or another person who has control of a child between the ages of 7 and 18 must send the child to a public school in the school district where the child lives, unless they have graduated from high school. Various related statutes provide exceptions to this requirement.

For example, Section 392.050 states that a child must be excused from attendance when the child’s physical or mental condition or behavioral health prevents their attendance at school or makes it inadvisable, as shown by satisfactory written evidence. Section 392.060 further provides that attendance is excused when the child has already completed the 12 grades of the elementary and high school courses, as shown by satisfactory written evidence. Section 392.070 excuses children who are enrolled in a private school, or for whom a parent chooses to provide education and files a notice of intent to homeschool the child with the superintendent of schools.

Attendance is also excused if a child has received permission to take the high school equivalency assessment, lives so far from the nearest public school that their attendance is unsafe or impractical, or is at least 15 years old, has completed the work of the first eight grades, and is entering employment or apprenticeship.

New Hampshire Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to a child who is at least 6 and under 18.

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Section 193:1 provides that a parent of a child (or someone else who has custody of a child) who is at least 6 and under 18 must cause them to attend the public school to which they are assigned in their resident district. Various exceptions may apply, such as situations when:

The child is attending a public school outside their district or an approved private school
The child is receiving home education
The child is excused from attendance because they are physically or mentally unable to attend school
The child has completed the requirements for graduation
The child has been accepted into an accredited post-secondary education program
The child has gotten a waiver from the superintendent for an alternative learning plan for obtaining a high school diploma or the equivalent (only for children 16 or older)

If a child turns 6 after September 30, the compulsory attendance requirement will not apply to them until the following school year.

New Jersey Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 6 and 16.

New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 18A:38-25 provides that a parent or another person who has custody of a child between the ages of 6 and 16 must cause them to regularly attend the public schools of the district or a day school that provides equivalent instruction for children of similar grades and attainments, or cause them to receive equivalent instruction elsewhere. Regular attendance is required during all the days and hours when public schools in the district are in session, unless the child’s mental condition prevents them from benefiting from instruction, or their physical condition prevents their attendance.

New Mexico Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to a child who is at least 5 (before September 1) but under 18.

New Mexico Statutes Section 22-12A-4 provides that a “school-age person” must attend public school, private school, home school, or a state institution until they are at least 18. (A school-age person is defined elsewhere as someone who is at least 5 before September 1 of the school year, has not received a high school diploma or its equivalent, and has not reached their 22nd birthday on the first day of the school year.) Exceptions apply if the school-age person has graduated from high school, received a high school equivalency credential, or withdrawn from school on a hardship waiver, which is when a parent gives signed permission for a school-age person between 16 and 18 to leave school due to hardship.

New York Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children from 6 to 16 years old.

New York Education Law Section 3205 provides that each minor from 6 to 16 years old must attend school upon full-time instruction, whether at a public school or elsewhere. The board of education in each school district may require minors from 16 to 17 years old who are not employed to attend school upon full-time day instruction until the last day of session in the school year in which the minor turns 17. However, the statute exempts a minor who has completed a four-year high school course of study, and it allows a minor to attend part-time school for at least 20 hours per week when they have made an application for a full-time employment certificate and are eligible for it, even if they are unemployed.

For calculating the age requirements, a minor who turns 6 on or before December 1 in a school year must attend full-time instruction starting in September of that school year, while a minor who turns 6 after December 1 must attend from the following September. A minor must remain in attendance until the end of the school year in which they turn 16.

North Carolina Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 7 and 16.

North Carolina General Statutes Section 115C-378 provides that a parent or someone else who has control of a child between the ages of 7 and 16 must cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time that the public school to which the child is assigned is in session. If a child under 7 is enrolled in a public school, their parent or other custodian also must cause them to attend school continuously unless the child has withdrawn from school. For the purposes of this law, “school” includes public schools and any non-public schools that have teachers and curricula approved by the State Board of Education.

North Dakota Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 7 and 16.

North Dakota Century Code Section 15.1-20-01 provides that a person who is responsible for a child between the ages of 7 and 16 must ensure that the child attends a public school. Section 15.1-20-02 provides several exceptions, such as situations when:

The child has completed high school
The child is in attendance for the same length of time at an approved non-public school
The child is receiving home education
The child is necessary to the support of the child’s family
The child has a disability that makes attendance or participation in a regular or special education program inexpedient or impracticable

The person responsible for the child must prove one of the grounds for an exemption to the satisfaction of the school board. The person responsible for the child may appeal an adverse decision by the school board to a district court.

Ohio Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between 6 and 18 years old.

Ohio Revised Code Section 3321.01 provides that a child between 6 and 18 is of compulsory school age. A child under 6 who has been enrolled in kindergarten also will be considered of compulsory school age unless their parent or guardian withdraws them from kindergarten. Section 3321.04 requires that every parent of a child of compulsory school age who is not employed under an age and schooling certificate must send the child to a school or special education program that conforms to the minimum standards prescribed by the state board of education.

A school superintendent may excuse a child from attendance if their bodily or mental condition does not permit attendance at school, and plans are made for appropriate instruction of the child, or if they are being instructed at home by a person who is qualified to teach the topics in which instruction is required and any additional topics that the advancement and needs of the child may require. In addition, the state board of education may adopt rules authorizing school superintendents to excuse a child over 14 years old from attendance for a future limited period so that they can perform necessary work for the child’s parents or legal guardians.

Oklahoma Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are over 5 and under 18.

Oklahoma Statutes Section 70-10-105 provides that a parent or another person who has custody of a child who is over 5 and under 18 cannot neglect to cause the child to attend and comply with the rules of a public, private, or other school, unless other means of education are provided for the full term that the schools in the district are in session. Moreover, a child who is over 12 and under 18 is prohibited from refusing to attend and comply with the rules of a public, private, or other school, or receive an education by other means for the full term that the schools in the district are in session.

The statute provides certain exceptions, such as when the child is prevented from attending school due to a mental or physical disability, or when a child who is at least 16 is excused from attending school by a written agreement involving the school administrator and the parent or other person with custody of the child. These agreements are allowed only if excusing the child from attending school is for the best interest of the child or the community, and the child will be under the supervision of the parent or other person with custody until they turn 18.

Oregon Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 6 and 18.

Oregon Revised Statutes Section 339.010 provides that children between the ages of 6 and 18 who have not completed the 12th grade must regularly attend a public full-time school during the entire school term. A child is 6 years old for these purposes if their 6th birthday occurred on or before September 1 preceding the beginning of the current school term. Section 339.030 lists certain exceptions to the requirement, such as situations when:

The child has received a high school diploma or a modified diploma
The child is being taught in a private or parochial school in the courses of study usually taught in K-12 in the public schools
The child is being taught by a private teacher in the courses of study usually taught in K-12 in the public schools
The child is being educated in their home by a parent or legal guardian
The child can prove to the satisfaction of the school board that they have acquired equivalent knowledge to what is acquired in the courses of study taught in K-12 in the public schools
The child is in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa and is attending a private, accredited English language learner program in preparation for attending a private high school or college

Moreover, a child who turned 6 on or before September 1 preceding the beginning of the current school year is exempt from the requirement if their parent or legal guardian informed the school district in writing that the parent or legal guardian will delay enrolling the child in a public full-time school for one school year so that they can better meet the child’s needs for cognitive, social, or physical development.

Pennsylvania Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children of “compulsory school age,” which means from 6 until they turn 18.

24 Pennsylvania Statutes Section 13-1327 provides that every child of compulsory school age must attend a day school in which the subjects and activities prescribed by the state board of education are taught in the English language. However, a child who is 15 or 16 may enroll as a day student in certain types of trade schools or business schools if they get certain permissions. (A child who is 15 must get the approval of the district superintendent and the Secretary of Education, while a child who is 16 must get the approval of the district superintendent.) Instruction to children of compulsory school age in a home education program is considered to comply with the requirement.

Certain children may be exempt from the compulsory attendance requirement, such as:

Children who are unable to profit from further public school attendance
Children who are 16 or older and are regularly engaged in useful and lawful employment or service, while holding an employment certificate
Children who are 15 or older and are engaged in farm work or domestic service in a private home on a permit issued by school authorities
Children who are 14 or older and are engaged in farm work or domestic service in a private home on a permit, and who have completed a certain level of education

In some school districts, children who live 2 miles or more from the closest public school may be exempt if free transportation to school is not provided.

Rhode Island Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who turn 6 on or before September 1 but have not turned 18.

Rhode Island General Laws Section 16-19-1 provides that a child who turns 6 on or before September 1 of a school year, or is enrolled in kindergarten, and has not yet turned 18 must regularly attend a public day school when public schools are in session in the city or town where they live. However, attendance is not obligatory in the following situations:

The child has attended an approved private day school
The child has attended an approved course of at-home instruction
The child has been accepted into an accredited post-secondary education program
The child has received a waiver of the requirement upon proof that the child has an alternative learning plan for obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent
The physical or mental condition of the child makes their attendance at school inexpedient or impracticable
The child was excluded from school due to another law or regulation

Section 16-19-2 outlines the requirements that a private school or at-home instruction must meet for the purposes of satisfying the compulsory education requirement.

South Carolina Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are at least 5 before September 1 but under 17.

South Carolina Code of Laws Section 59-65-10 provides that a parent or guardian must require their child to regularly attend school from the school year in which the child is 5 years old before September 1 until the child turns 17 or graduates from high school. Any of the following schools meets this requirement:

A public or private school or kindergarten approved by the state board of education
A member school of the South Carolina Independent Schools’ Association or the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools, or a similar organization
A parochial, denominational, or church-related school
Other programs approved by the state board of education

Exceptions apply to certain types of children, such as:

Children who have graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school education
Children who are unable to attend school due to a physical or mental disability, as shown by an appropriate certificate
Children who have completed the eighth grade and are determined by the court to be legally and gainfully employed, and their employment is necessary for the maintenance of their home
Children who are 16 and whose further attendance is determined by a court to be disruptive to the educational program of the school, unproductive of further learning, or not in the best interest of the child

If the child is not yet 6 on or before September 1 in a school year, their parent or guardian may elect for the child not to attend kindergarten. They must sign a document indicating this decision and provide it to the governing body of the school district.

South Dakota Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are at least 5 by September 1 but have not turned 18.

South Dakota Codified Laws Section 13-27-1 provides that a person who has control of a child who is not younger than 5 or older than 6 by September 1, or who is at least 6 by September 1 but has not exceeded the age of 18, must cause the child to regularly attend school until the child turns 18, unless they have graduated or are excused for certain narrow circumstances provided by statute. A qualifying school program may be public, non-public, or alternative instruction. A child must attend kindergarten until they turn 7. However, the compulsory education requirement is met if a child who is at least 16 enrolls in a high school equivalency test preparation program and successfully completes the test or turns 18.

Section 13-27-1.1 outlines a religious exemption for certain children of compulsory school age who have successfully completed the first eight grades. To fall within this exemption, the child or their parents must be members of a church or religious denomination that objects to public high school education, and the church or religious denomination must provide a regularly supervised program of instruction in which a child participates in learning activities appropriate to their likely adult occupation.

Tennessee Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between 6 and 17 years old, inclusive.

Tennessee Code Section 49-6-3001 provides that every parent or other person in control of a child between 6 and 17 years of age (inclusive) must cause the child to attend public or non-public school. A non-public school includes a church-related school, a home school, or a private school. The statute provides certain exceptions, such as situations when:

The child has received a diploma or another graduation certificate from a secondary high school
The child is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a course leading to a GED certificate or has obtained a GED
The child is 6 or younger, and their parent or guardian has filed a notice of intent to conduct a home school
The child is enrolled in a home school and has turned 17
The child is mentally or physically incapacitated to perform school duties
The child is 17, and their continued compulsory attendance undermines good order and discipline and the instruction of other students, while not providing a substantial benefit to the child

A parent or guardian with a good and substantial reason, as agreed by the local board of education, may withdraw their child from a public school. However, they must place the child in a public school designated by the local board of education or a non-public school within 30 days after withdrawal.

Texas Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are at least 6 but have not turned 19.

Texas Education Code Section 25.085 provides that a child who is at least 6, or younger than 6 and previously enrolled in first grade, but not yet 19 must attend school. The law also requires a child to attend school upon enrolling in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten. Section 25.086 provides numerous exceptions to the requirement, such as situations when:

The child attends a private or parochial school that includes a study of good citizenship in its course
The child is at least 17 and has received a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate
The child is at least 16 and is attending a course of instruction to prepare for the high school equivalency examination (if certain requirements are met)
The child is at least 16 and is enrolled in a high school diploma program under Chapter 18 of the Education Code
The child is enrolled in the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, the Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities, or the Texas Academy of International Studies
The child has a physical or mental condition that is temporary and remediable but makes their attendance infeasible

A person who chooses to enroll in school or attend school after their 19th birthday must attend school for each school day during the entire period for which the program of instruction is offered.

Utah Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are at least 6 but younger than 18.

Utah Code Section 53G-6-202 provides that the parent of a school-age child (defined as anyone with authority over a child who is at least 6 but younger than 18) must send the child to a public or regularly established private school. Section 53G-6-204 provides several exceptions, such as situations when:

The child has already completed the work required for graduation from high school
The child is in a physical or mental condition that makes their attendance inexpedient and impracticable
Proper influences and adequate opportunities for education are provided in connection with the child’s employment
The child is over 16 and unable to benefit from attendance at school due to inability or a continuing negative attitude toward school regulations and discipline
The child’s parent files a signed and notarized affidavit with the child’s school district, stating that the child will attend a home school, and the parent assumes sole responsibility for the education of the child

In addition, a child over 16 may get a partial release from school to enter employment or attend a trade school if the child has completed the eighth grade.

Vermont Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 6 and 16.

16 Vermont Statutes Section 1121 provides that a person who has control of a child between the ages of 6 and 16 must cause the child to attend a public school, an approved or recognized independent school, an approved education program, or a home study program. The law provides exceptions for situations such as when:

The child is mentally or physically unable to attend school
The child has completed the 10th grade
The child is excused by the superintendent or a majority of the school directors
The child is attending a post-secondary school

Moreover, a person who has control of a child over 16 and allows them to become enrolled in a public school must cause the child to attend the school continually for the full number of school days in the term, unless the child is mentally or physically unable to continue or is excused by the superintendent or a majority of the school directors.

Virginia Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who have turned 5 on or before September 30 and have not turned 18.

Code of Virginia Section 22.1-254 provides that a parent or other person who has control of a child who has turned 5 on or before September 30 of a school year and has not turned 18 must cause the child to attend a public school or a private, denominational, or parochial school. Alternatively, they can have the child taught by a tutor or provide for home instruction of the child. The requirement also may be satisfied by causing the child to attend an alternative program of study or work/study offered by a public, private, denominational, or parochial school, or a degree-granting institution of higher education. For a child who is 5, the requirement may be met if they attend a public educational pre-kindergarten program, or a private, denominational, or parochial educational pre-kindergarten program.

The law provides for mandatory exemptions from attendance based on conscientious opposition to attendance due to a bona fide religious training or belief, or based on a justified concern for the child’s health or reasonable apprehension for their safety. A school board also may excuse a child who cannot benefit from education at a school. A child who is at least 16 may meet the requirement if an individual student alternative education plan has been developed for them.

Washington Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are at least 8 and under 18.

Revised Code of Washington Section 28A.225.010 provides that a parent or other person with custody of a child who is at least 8 and under 18 must cause the child to attend the public school of the district where they live. The law provides several exemptions, such as situations when:

The child is attending an approved private school
The child is receiving home-based instruction
The child is attending an education center
The school district superintendent has excused the child from attendance because they are physically or mentally unable to attend school
The child is at least 16 and has already met graduation requirements or received a certificate of educational competence
The child is at least 16 and is regularly and lawfully employed, and they are emancipated or have gotten consent from their parent that they should not be required to attend school

The law describes in detail what home-based instruction must involve to qualify for an exemption, while noting that these provisions should be broadly interpreted.

Washington, D.C. Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are 5 or older (on or before September 30) but not yet 18.

District of Columbia Code Section 38-202 provides that a parent or other person who has custody of a minor who is at least 5 (or will turn 5 on or before September 30) must place the minor in regular attendance in an educational institution until the minor turns 18. A minor who is 17 may be allowed flexible school hours if they are lawfully, gainfully, and regularly employed, although this does not provide a basis for fully excusing them from attending school or putting their timely graduation at risk. The requirement does not apply to a minor who has satisfactorily completed their senior high school course of study and been granted a high school diploma or the equivalent.

An educational institution is broadly defined as a public school, a public charter school, an independent school, a private school, a parochial school, or a private instructor.

West Virginia Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are at least 6 but under 17.

West Virginia Code Section 18-8-1a provides that compulsory school attendance begins with the school year when the child turns 6 before July 1 of the year, or when the child enrolls in a publicly funded kindergarten program, and continues until they turn 17, or for as long as they continue to be enrolled in a school system if that is later. A child may be removed from a publicly funded kindergarten program if their parent or guardian decides that their best interest would not be served by further attendance. Section 18-8-1 lists certain exemptions to the requirement, such as situations when:

The child is attending a private, parochial, or other approved school
The child is receiving home instruction (and certain complex requirements are met)
The child participates in a learning pod or microschool
The child is physically or mentally incapable of attending school and performing school work
Conditions that make school attendance impossible or hazardous to the life, health, or safety of the child exist
The child has graduated from a standard senior high school or completed an alternate secondary program
The child has been granted a work permit (not available for anyone who has not completed the eighth grade)
There is a condition of extreme destitution in the child’s home

Any cause or condition that may form the basis of an exemption is subject to confirmation by the county authority for school attendance.

Wisconsin Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children between the ages of 6 and 18.

Wisconsin Statutes Section 118.15 provides that a person who has control of a child between the ages of 6 and 18 must cause the child to attend school regularly during the full period and hours that the public, private, or tribal school in which the child should be enrolled is in session until the end of the term in which the child turns 18. Similarly, a person who has control of a child enrolled in 5-year-old kindergarten must cause the child to attend school regularly. The law provides various exceptions, such as situations when:

The child has graduated from high school
The child is at least 16 and a child at risk, and they are attending a technical college (if the child and their parent or guardian agree that the child will participate in a program leading to their high school graduation)
The child is 16, and the child and their parent or guardian agree that the child will participate in a program or curriculum modification leading to their high school graduation
The child is 17 or older, and the child and their parent or guardian agree that the child will participate in a program or curriculum modification leading to their high school graduation or a high school equivalency diploma
The child is temporarily not in proper physical or mental condition to attend a school program but can be expected to return when their condition improves
The child has been excused by the school board in accordance with its written attendance policy and with the written approval of the child’s parent or guardian

Instruction in a home-based private educational program that meets certain statutory criteria may be substituted for attendance at a public or private school.

Wyoming Compulsory Education Law

The requirement generally applies to children who are at least 7 and have not yet turned 16 or completed the 10th grade.

Wyoming Statutes Section 21-4-102 provides that a parent or other person who has control of a child who has turned 7 on or before August 1 and has not yet turned 16 or completed the 10th grade is required to send the child to a public or private school each year. A private school includes any non-public, elementary, or secondary school providing a basic academic educational program for children, such as parochial and church or religious schools and home-based educational programs.

However, the board of trustees of a school district may exempt a child from the requirement in certain situations. These include when the board believes that compulsory attendance would undermine the mental or physical health of the child or other children in the school, or when the board feels that compulsory school attendance might cause undue hardship.

A parent or other person who has control of a child under the age of 18 and has not notified the school district of enrolling the child in a different school district or in a private school or home-based educational program must meet in person with a school district counselor or administrator to provide written consent to the withdrawal of the child from school.

Last reviewed October 2023

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