The Ultimate RV Homeschooling and Roadschooling Guide

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The Traveling Elms contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program. If you make purchases using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.

Have you been wondering how RV homeschooling works? 

Homeschooling in an RV isn’t much different from traditional homeschooling, except your house can move! When you travel and homeschool, many people refer to this as roadschooling. It’s all pretty much the same, just different words with the same meaning. Whether you decide to call it homeschooling or roadschooling, I’m here to help you make sure you’ve got everything you need to get started. 

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Is It Legal to Homeschool While
Traveling in an RV?

Of course each state has its own laws and requirements when it comes to RV homeschooling, but there are no specific regulations saying you can’t homeschool on the road in an RV. Before you get started, you will first want to look up your state’s requirements for homeschool as they can vary greatly.

Some states will require you to notify your local district, complete state testing and submit a portfolio at the end of the year. Others might have specific requirements as to what subjects you cover.

RV Homeschooling Laws by State: Which Apply to You?

To help you, I’ve put together this guide of RV homeschooling laws by state. This list provides a an overview of the homeschool laws for each state, specifically tailored for those interested in RV homeschooling on the road.

Alabama

• Requirements:
  • Notification: Required if operating under church school law.
  • Attendance: 140 days.
  • Subjects: Reading, grammar, math, science, social studies.
  • Records: Varies by the umbrella organization.
  • Testing: Not required.

Alaska

• Requirements:
  • Notification: Not required for independent RV homeschooling.
  • Attendance: None.
  • Subjects: None.
  • Records: None.
  • Testing: None.

Arizona

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File an affidavit of intent with the county superintendent.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Reading, grammar, math, social studies, science.
  • Records: Maintain immunization records.
  • Testing: None required.

Arkansas

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: Not specified.
  • Testing: Required annually for grades 3-9.

California

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a private school affidavit annually.
  • Attendance: Follow public school calendar.
  • Subjects: English, math, social studies, science, health, PE, and fine arts.
  • Records: Attendance, courses, and other required documents.
  • Testing: Not required for private options.

Colorado

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent 14 days before starting.
  • Attendance: 172 days.
  • Subjects: Reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature, science.
  • Records: Attendance, immunization, and evaluation records.
  • Testing: Test or evaluate at grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

Connecticut

• Requirements:
  • Notification: None required.
  • Attendance: Provide equivalent instruction.
  • Subjects: Reading, writing, English, grammar, geography, arithmetic, US history, citizenship, science.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: None required.

Delaware

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent and annual enrollment and attendance reports.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: Keep attendance records.
  • Testing: None required.

Florida

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: Maintain a portfolio of records and materials.
  • Testing: Annual evaluation required.

Georgia

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a declaration of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Reading, language arts, math, social studies, science.
  • Records: Attendance records.
  • Testing: Test every three years starting in third grade.

Hawaii

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Language arts, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, art, music.
  • Records: Maintain records of progress and attendance.
  • Testing: Annual progress report or testing required.

Idaho

• Requirements:
  • Notification: None required.
  • Attendance: Provide equivalent instruction.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: None required.

Illinois

• Requirements:
  • Notification: None required.
  • Attendance: Provide equivalent instruction.
  • Subjects: Language arts, math, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, physical development, health.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: None required.

Indiana

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: English, math, science, social studies.
  • Records: Keep attendance records.
  • Testing: None required.

Iowa

• Requirements:
  • Notification: Required for Competent Private Instruction.
  • Attendance: 148 days.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: Maintain records of attendance and subjects taught.
  • Testing: Annual assessment required for Competent Private Instruction.

Kansas

• Requirements:
  • Notification: Register the homeschool as a non-accredited private school.
  • Attendance: 186 days.
  • Subjects: Instruction must be “substantially equivalent” to public schools.
  • Records: Maintain records.
  • Testing: None required.

Kentucky

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 185 days.
  • Subjects: Reading, writing, math, spelling, grammar, history, civics.
  • Records: Keep attendance and scholarship reports.
  • Testing: None required.

Louisiana

• Requirements:
  • Notification: Apply annually for Home Study Program.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Must offer a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to public schools.
  • Records: Maintain attendance and immunization records.
  • Testing: Annual assessment or portfolio review required for Home Study Program.

Maine

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent and year-end assessment.
  • Attendance: 175 days.
  • Subjects: English, math, science, social studies, health, fine arts, physical education, library skills.
  • Records: Maintain portfolios and year-end assessments.
  • Testing: Annual evaluation required.

Maryland

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: Regular, thorough instruction.
  • Subjects: English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education.
  • Records: Maintain a portfolio of materials and records.
  • Testing: Portfolio review by the local school system.

Massachusetts

• Requirements:
  • Notification: Approval from the local school committee.
  • Attendance: Regular and thorough instruction.
  • Subjects: English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education.
  • Records: Maintain records.
  • Testing: Evaluation required, as determined by the school committee.

Michigan

• Requirements:
  • Notification: None required.
  • Attendance: Provide equivalent instruction.
  • Subjects: Reading, writing, math, science, social studies.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: None required.

Minnesota

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 170 days.
  • Subjects: Reading, writing, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, fine arts.
  • Records: Maintain records of subjects taught and materials used.
  • Testing: Annual testing required.

Mississippi

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a certificate of enrollment annually.
  • Attendance: None specified.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: None required.

Missouri

• Requirements:
  • Notification: None required.
  • Attendance: 1,000 hours of instruction per year.
  • Subjects: Reading, math, social studies, language arts, science.
  • Records: Maintain records of instructional hours and samples of student work.
  • Testing: None required.

Montana

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent with the local superintendent.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain attendance and immunization records.
  • Testing: None required.

Nebraska

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 1,032 hours for elementary; 1,080 hours for secondary.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain records.
  • Testing: None required.

Nevada

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: English, math, science, social studies.
  • Records: Maintain records of educational materials used.
  • Testing: None required.

New Hampshire

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent and year-end assessment.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: English, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, art, music.
  • Records: Maintain portfolios and year-end assessments.
  • Testing: Annual evaluation required.

New Jersey

• Requirements:
  • Notification: None required.
  • Attendance: Provide equivalent instruction.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: None required.

New Mexico

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain immunization records.
  • Testing: None required.

New York

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent and Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP).
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: English, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, fine arts, library skills.
  • Records: Quarterly reports and annual assessment.
  • Testing: Annual testing or evaluation required.

North Carolina

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain immunization and attendance records.
  • Testing: Annual standardized testing required.

North Dakota

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: 175 days.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain records.
  • Testing: Annual testing required.

Ohio

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: 900 hours.
  • Subjects: Language arts, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, fine arts.
  • Records: Maintain records of work and progress.
  • Testing: Annual assessment required.

Oklahoma

• Requirements:
  • Notification: None required.
  • Attendance: Provide equivalent instruction.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: None required.

Oregon

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent.
  • Attendance: None specified.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: Testing required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10.

Pennsylvania

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent and affidavit.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Language arts, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, fine arts.
  • Records: Maintain portfolios and year-end assessment.
  • Testing: Annual testing or evaluation required.

Rhode Island

• Requirements:
  • Notification: Approval from the local school committee.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: English, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, fine arts.
  • Records: Maintain records.
  • Testing: Evaluation required, as determined by the school committee.

South Carolina

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent with the local school district or an accountability association.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain records of work and progress.
  • Testing: None required.

South Dakota

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain records.
  • Testing: Testing required in grades 4, 8, and 11.

Tennessee

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain attendance and immunization records.
  • Testing: Annual standardized testing required.

Texas

• Requirements:
  • Notification: None required.
  • Attendance: None specified.
  • Subjects: Reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: None required.

Utah

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: None specified.
  • Subjects: None specified.
  • Records: None required.
  • Testing: None required.

Vermont

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent and an annual progress report.
  • Attendance: 175 days.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain portfolios and year-end assessments.
  • Testing: Annual evaluation required.

Virginia

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Language arts, math, science, social studies.
  • Records: Maintain records of progress.
  • Testing: Annual standardized testing required.

Washington

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Language arts, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, fine arts.
  • Records: Maintain records.
  • Testing: Annual testing or assessment required.

West Virginia

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 180 days.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain records of progress.
  • Testing: Annual testing or assessment required.

Wisconsin

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 875 hours.
  • Subjects: Basic educational program.
  • Records: Maintain records.
  • Testing: None required.

Wyoming

• Requirements:
  • Notification: File a notice of intent annually.
  • Attendance: 175 days.
  • Subjects: Language arts, math, science, social studies.
  • Records: Maintain records.
  • Testing: None required.

What You Need to Know About
RV Homeschooling

Homeschooling in an RV can have its challenges. Your routine is probably different and might change often if you travel across time zones. Your space is smaller…..a LOT smaller, which means you have less room to store supplies. 

There will likely be an adjustment period while you figure out what works best for your family. You’ll need to figure out which curriculum (if any) you are using and where you’re going to keep it. You’ll also want to come up with a schedule for RV homeschooling. 

Plan for an Adjustment Period in the Beginning

If you’re just starting out in your RV, there are a lot of changes happening. Not just with homeschool, but life in general is very different on the road. 

Expect a few bumps as you and your kids adapt to this new routine. You’ll want to be patient (easier said than done!) and flexible with your expectations. At a minimum it will take several weeks to find a rhythm and make sense of things. 

How to set a Schedule for RV Homeschooling

Having a schedule helps everyone know what to expect. This doesn’t mean you need to have a rigid schedule like Math is at 9 and Reading is at 12 with lunch somewhere in between, but a general guideline of what’s expected each day is super helpful. 

For my kids I have a list of subjects that need to be completed each day. They have a list and they can do the lessons in whichever order they choose, as long as they get done. We tend to start school a little later (around 10ish or so) and they are usually finished by 1pm most days. 

Your schedule might look different, but find what works for you. Many families don’t get out of bed until 12 so when we’re finishing up school they are just getting started. There really is no one size fits all here. It’s all about figuring out what works best for your family. 

Different Styles of Homeschooling: Which Is Best for Traveling?

Ah, the styles of RV homeschooling. There are many different curriculums and styles of RV homeschooling. We’ve got workbooks, online programs, unschooling and everything in between. 

Again, there is no one size fits all here. We’ve tried a little bit of everything and have found that having the routine of what the kids need to do each day with a mix of unschooling is what works for us. 

We love apps like Readability and Synthesis, as well as using the local museums, science centers and zoos to help with learning history and science. The key here is to find what works for you and the way your kids learn. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular styles of RV homeschooling: 

1. Unschool
   • Description: This child-led approach focuses on allowing children to pursue their interests and learn through life experiences, play, and exploration rather than a structured curriculum. It emphasizes autonomy and natural learning processes.
2. Workbooks
   • Description: Using workbooks is a traditional and straightforward method, where children complete lessons and exercises from educational workbooks. This style is often easy to implement and can be very structured.
3. Classical Education
   • Description: Based on the trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, classical education focuses on teaching children how to learn and think critically. It includes a strong emphasis on classical literature, languages, and history.
4. Charlotte Mason
   • Description: This method emphasizes the use of living books (books written by passionate authors), nature study, art, music, and narration to create a rich and enjoyable learning experience. It encourages a gentle and consistent approach to education.
5. Montessori
   • Description: Based on the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori, this method emphasizes hands-on, child-led learning with a focus on practical life skills. It encourages independence and respects the child’s natural development.
6. Eclectic/Relaxed
   • Description: Combining elements from various homeschooling styles, eclectic RV homeschooling allows parents to tailor the educational experience to fit their child’s unique needs and interests. It offers flexibility and adaptability.
7. Unit Studies
   • Description: This approach integrates multiple subjects into a single thematic unit, allowing children to explore a topic in-depth. It can make learning more engaging and cohesive by connecting different areas of study.
8. Project-Based Learning
   • Description: Students engage in projects that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. This method emphasizes real-world applications and can be highly engaging and motivating for students.
9. Traditional School-at-Home
   • Description: This style mimics the structure of traditional school within the home setting, often using textbooks, a fixed schedule, and formal assessments. It provides a clear framework and consistency for students and parents.

The Benefits of Homeschooling in an RV

There are many benefits of RV homeschooling! My favorite is the ability to travel to the places we are learning about. You’ll find that there are many different styles of RV homeschooling so finding what works for you might take some time, but the benefits are worth the effort! 

It Doesn’t Have to Look the Same as Traditional School

Homeschool, especially RV homeschooling does not have to look like public school. You don’t have to have a bell telling you it’s time to change classes or a set time for music. You set the rules! 

If you want to start school at 10am and end at 12pm, by all means – do it! You might even discover that there is a lot of time wasted in public school and you really only need a couple of hours per day to fit everything in. 

Plus learning happens all day! Even lunch time can be made into a learning experience if you have the kids prepare their meals. Make RV homeschooling FUN and your kids won’t even realize they’re doing school. 

Use Travel as a Learning Experience

When we travel I love to find unique stops for field trips, like national parks or local attractions. Anything goes really, but I try to stick to history, museums and science. 

When we were in Flagler Beach, we stopped at Bulow Plantation and learned about the history of sugar cane, cotton and rice. We’ve also visited The Alamo in San Antonio and numerous museums and zoos across the country. 

Most of the time the kids just see these as fun trips, but learning is definitely happening! You could even add to the experience by having them do additional research before or after your visit. Sometimes I’ll even have the kids write a report or story about what they’ve learned. 

Find a Community with Other RV Homeschooling Families

One thing we never expected when we decided to RV full-time was the community of families on the road. There are sooooo many families living this lifestyle! One of our favorite ways to find other families is through Fulltime Families. 

Everywhere we go we meet other families living this lifestyle, you just have to get out of the RV to find them! We like to frequent campgrounds in the Thousand Trails network, as there always seem to be other traveling families staying there. 

With your new RV homeschooling community you will never be bored! When you meet someone in Texas and then see them again in Maine, it’s a wonderful reunion for both you and your kids. 

Wrapping up: RV Homeschooling

RV homeschooling is an incredible journey that gives you the freedom to explore new places while learning on the go. While it comes with its challenges, the rewards are unmatched—giving your children a unique, hands-on learning experience that goes beyond textbooks.

 Whether you’re navigating through national parks, visiting historical sites, or just enjoying the great outdoors, RV homeschooling allows you to create unforgettable memories while providing a rich and flexible education. When you embrace the flexibility of this lifestyle and choose the right travel homeschooling style for your family, you can turn the open road into a classroom where learning happens everywhere you go.

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