Will Homeschool Pro send a records request to my child's previous school?

No. RemoteLearning.School does not send a school-to-school records request to your child’s previous public or private school.

Homeschool Pro is a homeschool curriculum, not the new public or private school enrolling your student. Your family is beginning independent homeschooling, so the school-to-school transfer process does not apply in the same way.

When a student transfers from one conventional school to another, the incoming school normally requests records from the previous school. Federal privacy rules allow a school to disclose education records to another school where the student is seeking or intending to enroll. Since your student is not enrolling in RemoteLearning.School as a conventional school, Homeschool Pro does not act as the receiving school in that process.

Why Is My Child’s Previous School Asking for a Records Request?

The school may be using its usual transfer procedure.

When a student transfers to another public or private school, the receiving school may request records such as:

• Report cards and transcripts
• Grades and high school credits
• Attendance records
• Standardized test results
• Immunization or health records
• Individualized Education Programs or 504 Plans
• Evaluations
• Disciplinary records
• Other parts of the student’s cumulative file

That process allows the new school to place the student and continue maintaining the school record.

Beginning independent homeschooling is different. There may be no incoming conventional school to request those records. Instead, the parent follows the homeschool notification, registration, and withdrawal procedures required in the student’s state.

What Should I Do Instead?

Contact the previous school’s registrar, attendance office, or withdrawal department and explain that:

1. Your student is beginning independent homeschooling.
2. Homeschool Pro is the curriculum your family will use, not a public or private school receiving the student.
3. You want to complete the homeschool withdrawal process required in your state.
4. You also want to request a copy of the student’s records for your homeschool files.

Ask the school what documentation it requires from a parent withdrawing a student to homeschool.

Depending on your state, you may need to provide:

• A notice of intent to homeschool
• Confirmation that your homeschool has been registered
• A withdrawal letter
• A district or state homeschool form
• Another state-specific document

Procedures vary significantly. Virginia, for example, requires parents providing home instruction to notify their local school division. North Carolina requires qualifying families to file a Notice of Intent, and its guidance tells parents to show the acknowledgement to the student’s current school when withdrawing.

Important: Do not assume that purchasing Homeschool Pro automatically withdraws your student from their previous school or completes the state homeschool paperwork.

You Have Help With the Withdrawal Process

You do not have to figure out the withdrawal procedure and homeschool forms by yourself.

Your Homeschool Advisor can help you understand the requirements that apply in your state, identify the forms or notices you may need, and help prepare the necessary paperwork.

See how having a dedicated Homeschool Advisor can help families feel supported while navigating homeschool requirements and paperwork.

How Can My Homeschool Advisor Help?

Your advisor may be able to help with:

• Understanding your state’s process for beginning homeschooling
• Preparing a school withdrawal letter
• Locating a notice of intent or homeschool registration form
• Explaining where and how a form should be submitted
• Reviewing paperwork for missing information
• Identifying documentation the previous school may need
• Helping you communicate that Homeschool Pro is a curriculum rather than a receiving school
• Organizing previous coursework for your student’s homeschool records
• Reviewing prior high school courses and credits
• Adding eligible previous coursework to the student’s homeschool transcript

RemoteLearning.School does not submit the forms or withdrawal documents for you. The parent or legal guardian must review, sign, and submit them to the appropriate school, district, state agency, or other authority.

What If the School Still Insists That Homeschool Pro Must Request the Records?

Ask to speak with the school registrar, attendance office, or another administrator familiar with homeschool withdrawals.

Explain that your child is not transferring to RemoteLearning.School as another conventional school. Your family is establishing or operating an independent homeschool and using Homeschool Pro as its curriculum.

You may also:

1. Ask the school to provide its homeschool withdrawal requirements in writing.
2. Provide a copy of your notice of intent, homeschool registration acknowledgement, or other state documentation when applicable.
3. Ask for written confirmation once the student has been officially withdrawn.
4. Contact your Homeschool Advisor and send them the school’s instructions or message.

The advisor can help you determine whether the school is requesting a legitimate state-specific document or simply applying its usual school-to-school transfer procedure.

Should I Request My Student’s Records?

Yes. We recommend requesting your student’s records directly from the previous school and keeping them with your homeschool files.

The parent is now responsible for maintaining the student’s homeschool records. Previous school records can be helpful for:

• Choosing appropriate classes
• Understanding what the student has already completed
• Documenting prior grades and academic progress
• Recording high school credits
• Preparing a complete homeschool transcript
• Supporting future college or scholarship applications
• Providing documentation if the student later returns to school
• Maintaining information about accommodations or previous evaluations

North Carolina’s official homeschool guidance, for example, specifically notes that a parent may obtain a photocopy of the student’s cumulative record and keep it at the homeschool.

What Records Should I Request?

Ask for a complete copy of the student’s cumulative or educational record. Depending on the student’s age and history, useful documents may include:

• Report cards
• Official or unofficial transcripts
• Course titles and descriptions
• High school grades and credits
• Attendance records
• Standardized test results
• Current grade placement
• Individualized Education Programs
• 504 Plans
• Educational or psychological evaluations
• Immunization and health records
• Withdrawal confirmation
• Other records relevant to the student’s education

For a high school student, make sure you receive a transcript showing completed courses, grades, and credits. These records can help your Homeschool Advisor build an accurate graduation plan and incorporate previous coursework into the student’s homeschool transcript.

Am I Entitled to My Child’s School Records?

At public schools and other institutions covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, parents of minor students generally have the right to inspect and review their child’s education records.

The school must provide access within a reasonable period, no later than 45 days after receiving the request. FERPA does not always require the school to provide free copies, but the school must provide a way for the parent to inspect and review the records. State laws may provide additional rights or shorter timelines.

Ask the previous school how to submit a parent records request. It may require:

• A written request
• A school records release form
• Proof of identity
• The student’s name, date of birth, and student number
• A copying or processing fee when permitted

Some private schools may follow different record-release policies, particularly when they are not covered by FERPA. Ask the school directly about its procedures.

Does Homeschool Pro Need the Previous Records?

You do not need a formal school-to-school records transfer for RemoteLearning.School to create your student’s Homeschool Pro account.

However, previous academic records can be very useful, especially when:

• The student is entering middle or high school
• You need help choosing the appropriate classes
• The student completed high school credits elsewhere
• You are building a graduation plan
• You want previous coursework included on the homeschool transcript
• The student had accommodations or specialized educational services
• The student may return to public or private school later

You can provide relevant academic records to your Homeschool Advisor when requesting help with course placement, credits, transcripts, or graduation planning.

Who Maintains the Student’s Records Going Forward?

Once your family begins independent homeschooling, the parent or legal guardian is generally responsible for maintaining the records required under the applicable state homeschool laws.

Depending on your state and the student’s grade level, those records may include:

• Attendance
• Courses and subjects studied
• Grades
• High school credits
• Completed assignments or work samples
• Test results
• Progress reports
• A portfolio
• Transcripts
• Graduation records

Your Homeschool Advisor can help you understand which records your state requires and how to keep them organized.

The Bottom Line

RemoteLearning.School does not send a school-to-school records request because Homeschool Pro is a homeschool curriculum, not the conventional school receiving your child.

When withdrawing to homeschool:

1. Follow the withdrawal and homeschool notification procedures required in your state.
2. Provide the previous school with any parent-submitted documentation it requires.
3. Request your student’s records directly for your homeschool files.
4. Keep written confirmation that the student was withdrawn.
5. Contact your Homeschool Advisor for help with forms, records, credits, or the withdrawal process.