How to Withdraw from Public School in Texas for TEFA

If you're pulling your child from a Texas public school to use TEFA for homeschooling or private school, the withdrawal itself is a critical step that trips up more families than you'd expect. Get it wrong and you risk truancy flags, delayed TEFA applications, and bureaucratic headaches that take months to resolve.

Why Withdrawal Matters for TEFA

TEFA has a firm rule: a student cannot be simultaneously enrolled in a public school district or open-enrollment charter school while receiving TEFA payments. Dual enrollment is prohibited.

This means your child must be officially withdrawn from public school before TEFA funds can be disbursed. The July 1 disbursement date (when homeschool accounts receive their full $2,000) requires that the withdrawal is complete and the student is no longer on a public school roster.

The Withdrawal Process

Texas does not have a formal state withdrawal form. The process goes through the school district, and each district handles it slightly differently. But the core steps are consistent:

1. Write a Withdrawal Letter

Send a written notice to the school principal and registrar. The letter should include:

• Your child's full name and student ID
• The effective date of withdrawal
• A statement that you are withdrawing your child to attend a private school (Texas homeschools are legally classified as private schools under Leeper v. Arlington ISD)
• Your name, signature, and contact information

You do not need to explain your reasons, submit a curriculum plan, or request permission. Withdrawal is a notification, not a request.

2. Deliver It in Writing

Email works for documentation purposes, but follow up with a hand-delivered or mailed copy if your district requires physical signatures. Keep copies of everything — the letter, the delivery confirmation, and any response from the school.

3. Get Written Confirmation

Request written confirmation from the registrar that your child has been removed from the school's active enrollment roster. This confirmation matters if your TEFA application is ever questioned on the dual-enrollment prohibition.

Some districts issue a withdrawal form for you to sign. Others simply process the withdrawal and send a confirmation letter. Either way, do not leave until you have documentation showing the child is no longer enrolled.

Avoiding Truancy Flags

This is where families run into problems. Families withdrawing from public school may face truancy questions if enrollment records are unclear, so keep a clear record of the withdrawal and the child's next school setting.

Under Leeper, a Texas homeschool is treated as an unaccredited private school when it provides bona fide instruction using visual curriculum that covers the five core subjects.

Practical steps to prevent issues:

• State your intent clearly in the withdrawal letter — you are withdrawing to attend a private school. Don't be vague.
• Have your curriculum materials ready before the withdrawal date. Keep documentation of your homeschool setup in case the district asks about the child's enrollment status.
• Keep the withdrawal letter and confirmation with your homeschool records so you can document when public-school enrollment ended.

Timing Withdrawal Around TEFA

Public exiters receive priority within Tier 4 during the TEFA priority lottery. The Tier 4 cap is 20% of total program funds, and public-school exiters are prioritized within that tier.

Students cannot receive TEFA payments while simultaneously enrolled in a public school. If your child is still enrolled when you apply, check the current portal instructions; the withdrawal must be complete before disbursement.

For the cleanest timeline:

1. Apply for TEFA during the application window (February–March)
2. Receive your award notification (April lottery)
3. Complete the public school withdrawal before the end of the school year
4. Be fully set up as a homeschool or enrolled in a private school by July 1 when funds disburse

What If You've Already Withdrawn

If your child is already homeschooling or attending private school, the withdrawal step is already done. You can apply for TEFA without any additional action, as long as the child meets the other eligibility criteria (Texas residency, citizenship, age).

For a complete walkthrough of withdrawal timing, the application process, and how to set up your homeschool alongside TEFA, see the Texas Education Freedom Accounts Parent Guide.

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